How is moisture removed from wood?

But the story doesn't end there...

The moisture content of wood fluctuates over time - it is rarely constant. Whether freshly cut or kiln-dried, wood interacts with moisture in the surrounding environment. Just because you are looking at commercially kiln dried logs in nets, that doesn't mean those logs are no longer able to absorb moisture. So, it is important to inspect the logs before buying to ensure you are getting the best possible product for your money.

How can I tell if logs are kiln dried and what moisture content will I get?

There are various methods for checking the moisture content of kiln dried wood. Some cannot realistically be done before buying, but there are some good methods for learning how to tell if wood is kiln dried:

• Be clean – as the process removes much of the sap, moisture, and other residues, the overall log will be cleaner
• Be dry – if a log has been kiln dried, it will most certainly be dry. This can be accurately tested by using a moisture meter
• Be hard – kiln dried logs are on average much harder
• Be light in colour - due to the heat exposure, the hardwood we use will be lighter in colour and will not have a greenish tint like fresh wood does
• Be light in weight – kiln dried logs are lighter on average, due to the reduced moisture content
• Easier ignition – they will be easier to ignite due to the lower moisture content
• Have clearly visible growth rings – the kiln drying process enhances the contrast and visibility of the growth rings
• Have dry cracks at the ends – this is known as "checking." These cracks occur as the wood dries and shrinks unevenly
• Have no lingering scent of resin – the process evaporates most of the moisture and removes volatile compounds like resin
• Hollow sound – the logs produce a hollow sound when knocked together
• Minimal residue – kiln dried logs leave less residue on hands and in any storage areas
• Not have much (or any) bark – this will be removed during the kiln drying process
• Not smell of mould – naturally, if you have kiln dried logs any mould or fungus would have been prevented
• Smaller size – kiln drying causes slight shrinkage, this will on average make logs slightly smaller

When used you will also notice the following qualities:

• Burns hotter - kiln dried logs burn hotter than green, wet, or unseasoned wood
• Produces less smoke - expect less smoke when burning kiln dried logs in comparison to alternatives

Cozilogs moisture content levels

All our products will contain a maximum of 20% moisture content, this complies with the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy. Our briquettes contain below 12%. Buy from Cozilogs in the knowledge you will be buying premium-quality low moisture kiln dried hardwood logs.

Use your ears

Another method for testing the dryness of seasoned or kiln dried logs is by banging two pieces of wood together. The sound you hear should be hard and ringing - good firewood has a dull sound when knocked together.

There are things to consider when using this method to inspect the wood. When the weather is frosty and temperatures are below 0°C, even fresh wood can make a similar sound to dry wood when knocked together. This is why the sound test only gives a very superficial impression of the moisture content - it won't always reveal if the wood is dry right to the core.

Use a wood moisture meter

If you invest in a wood moisture meter, you can use it to accurately measure the moisture content of any wood. Try using a moisture meter on our kiln dried ash logs in net bags - we are confident you will get a low reading every time.

Try the soap test

Why is it important to use dry firewood?

With dry firewood, you will get optimal combustion in your log burner. Our kiln dried oak logs in nets are guaranteed to have a very low moisture content to ensure you get the most value for your money.

One of the key considerations when wood burning should be protecting the environment, and dry firewood keeps particle emissions to a minimum. It also ensures you get more heat per kilogram of fuel, and that the wood burns longer, making it an economical choice. These are very important considerations for protecting the environment and keeping you from spending more money than necessary.

Can firewood be too dry?

While it is possible for logs to be too dry for burning, it is very rare to find any that have been dried to such a degree. The problem with the moisture content being too low is that the wood burns too fast and produces more smoke than wood with a moisture content between 8-20%.

Wood won't get as dry as this naturally, and the commercial processes used in kiln dried logs are carefully managed to ensure an optimal moisture capacity is reached.

Final thoughts

Our kiln dried logs in nets are carefully prepared and stored to maintain the right moisture level for efficient burning. Nevertheless, it is important for you to inspect your firewood before using it, particularly if it is exposed to a wet or humid environment during storage. The methods described in this guide are all worth doing to get the most accurate picture for how to tell if wood is kiln dried, but there is no more effective method than using a wood moisture meter.

Contacting Cozilogs

To discuss any aspect of moisture content to expect when you buy our kiln dried logs call us today at (01905) 954 736. Also, send emails using the contact form on our contact page.