DEFRA recently changed the UK regulations to ban the sale of wet firewood containing a moisture content of more than 20% in less than 2 cubic metre amounts, coming into force from February 2021. They have also enacted a ban on the sale of the most polluting household coal, which will come into effect in 2023.
Now that firewood logs with a high moisture content have been banned, suppliers must choose between kiln drying their wood and seasoning it for at least two years to bring the moisture content down below the new legal limit. Most suppliers are, understandably, choosing the former option.
Cozilogs has always offered premium kiln dried logs to customers for use in their home or business, but many buyers are only now encountering kiln-dried wood for the first time. This guide will help you choose the right wood and the right supplier when buying kiln dried logs online.
Why use kiln-dried logs?
Other than the reasons given above, kiln-dried logs are superior to the cheaper, more readily-available alternatives for several reasons. You'll find plenty of lower-cost alternatives at petrol stations and garden centres, but those won't give off heat as efficiently as seasoned logs will, and if they're too wet, then they won't burn at all. The intense heat used in the kiln-drying process means that firewood comes out of the process much cleaner than unseasoned firewood. As a result, kiln-dried logs give off a much cleaner burn and emit less creosote and soot, both of which make appliances more difficult and expensive to maintain. Kiln-dried logs will cost you more upfront, but they make up for it with better, more efficient performance than cheap, unseasoned wood.Which wood to choose from?
The first thing you need to decide when buying kiln-dried wood online is what type of wood you would prefer. You have the option of ash, oak, or birch. If you're new to wood-burning appliances, you should know that choosing the right type of wood is essential when you're ordering firewood.
Ash will light quickly and without much provocation. Once it's started to burn, it burns hot and burns for a long time. Ash was the first species of wood that was kiln-dried in bulk and sold to consumers. As a result, it's the species that most people are familiar with. However, both ash and birch are now just as readily available and work better for some applications.
Oak is a dense wood, certainly denser than ash and birch. It also has thicker bark and feels rough to the touch. The additional weight and density of oak mean it takes longer to heat up and ignite. Once oak catches fire, it burns hotter than ash and gives off a distinct, pleasant aroma. Oak logs are usually on the larger side, and it lasts a long time.
Beech is a fantastic all-round wood for burning. It has generally been overlooked in the past because of its high water content. But when you're buying logs that have already been kiln-dried, this isn't an issue, although you might find that it sparks a little more than other woods. Dried beech wood provides excellent heat and produces a long, clean burn.
The size and type of appliance you are buying for
When you're choosing firewood to use in a wood-burning stove, oven, or boiler, you need to consider the appliance itself. In particular, you should pay attention to its size as this will determine how much heat you need and how long you need your wood to burn.
Most appliances will come with a user manual that tells you what types of wood are best and the optimal log size. Don't ignore these recommendations, as they can save you money and enable you to get the most out of your wood-burning appliance.
How much wood are you buying?
For new users, it can be tricky to work out how much wood you need to buy. The amount of firewood you need will come down to how you intend on using your appliance. If it's only going to see occasional use, it is usually more economical to buy firewood in relatively small bundles.
Remember that you need to store firewood out of the rain, especially if it's kiln-dried. Don't order bundles of firewood that you don't have room for. Our mini mixed kiln-dried firewood nets are perfect for new users who are unsure how much wood they will get through.
We sell kiln dried logs in bags, which makes storing them much more convenient. Our bagged kiln dried logs are ideal for users with a shed or outbuilding to store their wood until needed. Keeping kiln-dried logs in a dumpy bag is also much more convenient for customers who don't have a dedicated wood storage area on their property.
For serious, experienced wood burners who use their appliances regularly, it is more economical to buy big batches of firewood each time. A bulk bag of kiln dried logs will last most people for quite some time, but those who get through the most firewood, including most businesses, will be better served by buying a big crate of logs instead.
