Kiln dried logs have a number of benefits over seasoned logs. It's a means of drying logs in a kiln: the green wood is dried at temperatures of up to 70°C for around 4-6 days, which allows much of the moisture inside the wood to escape.
Because they are so low in moisture, kiln dried logs are ready to burn as soon as you receive them, and they're also easy to light. What's more, their dryness means that they have a high heat output and burn well and more cleanly, which means less risk of black sooty buildups on glass-fronted stoves or in a flue.
At CoziLogs, we sell a variety of kiln dried logs in nets and bulk bags alike, meaning that it's easy to choose the right quantity to suit your needs. Visit our online shop, and you'll also see that we sell kiln dried firewood from a range of different trees.
But what's the difference between firewood from different tree types, and should you choose one type over another? Read on for our guide to the different types of kiln dried wood logs you'll find for sale, and what makes each a great choice.
Which woods are commonly used for kiln dried firewood?
When producing kiln dried logs for firewood, hardwood species rather than softwood are generally used. There are many reasons for this: one being that softwood tends to have a greater volume, meaning that you'll need a larger amount of storage space. Hardwoods are denser wood species, which generally means that - if dried properly - they will burn better. Softwood may also burn more quickly, meaning that you'll need a greater number of logs to keep your fire burning. What's more, certain softwoods, such as pine, can have a high resin content and, as a result, the logs can spark, as well as leaving pine residue in your flue. There are five main types of hardwoods that are used in kiln dried logs: oak, ash, birch, sycamore and beech. At CoziLogs we also sell mixed kiln dried logs in nets, which also have their own benefits.Oak
Oak is a very dense species of wood, with a very thick bark. This means that it can take longer than other hardwood types to build up to the right temperature, but it creates incredible heat - more so than ash - when it does. Some choose to use oak as part of a mixture or other hardwoods - combined with others that burn faster, it can keep your fire burning for longer. Oak is also rougher to the touch than some other hardwoods, and the logs are often also a little larger. Use oak as your firewood, and you'll be greeted with a beautiful aroma when it burns, and benefit from a log that can be stored for a very long time, in the right conditions.
Sycamore
Sycamore is a good choice for those looking for a fuel with a more moderate heat output. This member of the maple family produces a good flame and burns well when dried enough. Like birch, it not only lights easily, but it also burns fairly quickly - which is why you'll often find it in mixed log bags alongside slower burning hardwoods, like beech or oak.Birch
Birch is a hardwood with many benefits when it comes to fuelling fires! Its flaky bark makes for a great natural firelighter, whether left attached to the logs, or peeled off and placed between them to get the fire going. It lights and heats incredibly quickly but can burn fast too - if using in a wood burning stove, you may want to turn the vents down to slow it down. That said, it is often more affordable than woods like oak and ash, it can produce a great level of heat - and it's often used alongside slower burning wood varieties.Ash
Traditionally, ash has always been described as the best wood for burning - and it was the first of the hardwoods to be available in bulk bags or pallets. And it's easy to see why it's so popular: it lights very quickly, it burns steadily and with a strong level of heat, and is also a great burner on its own, without needing to be mixed with other woods for a fantastic fire. Ash, like oak, will both burn for long periods and can be stored well over time.
