The Benefits of Using Kiln-Dried Logs for Home Heating

The Benefits of Using Kiln-Dried Logs for Home Heating

Kiln-dried logs are seen by many as the perfect middle ground between traditional firewood and modern wood briquettes. This is because they combine the ease of use and convenience of firewood with the efficiency, heat output, and clean burn of briquettes.

Lekto is the UK’s most trusted expert in kiln-dried logs and wood briquettes. Tens of thousands of UK households rely on us for all of their heating needs. As evidenced by over 14,000 positive TrustPilot reviews, our wood fuel products are second to none.

In this article, our wood fuel experts will educate you on the benefits of using kiln-dried logs for home heating. By the time you finish reading this short article, you’ll know more about kiln-dried logs than 90% of people in Britain.

What Are the Benefits of Kiln-Dried Logs?

So why are kiln-dried logs so great? The main determiner of wood fuel quality is moisture content. Put simply, the drier a piece of wood fuel is, the more cleanly and efficiently it will burn. Conversely, the more moisture it contains, the more smoke and harmful compounds it’ll produce (including highly cancerogenic creosote). It is exactly because of this fact that one should never burn wet wood.

Kiln-dried logs are made by baking split firewood in an industrial oven (known as a kiln) for a prolonged period of time. This labour-intensive process helps achieve dryness levels that are difficult to reach with conventional seasoning. What’s even more important is that these dryness levels are highly consistent, whereas the moisture levels in seasoned logs tend to vary quite a bit.

Kiln-Dried Logs & the Efficiency Benefits of Low Moisture Content

What Is Kiln-Drying?

Kiln-drying is the process of drying firewood in a dried in an industrial kiln. A kiln is a type of ventilated oven that uses heat convection to reduce the moisture levels of a piece of firewood. Depending on the tree species and kiln type, the drying process can take between a couple of days to as long as two weeks. When used properly, this process can result in logs that contain as little as 9% moisture.

More info: Ultimate Guide to Kiln-Dried Logs.

Why Is Low Moisture Important For Logs?

Low moisture levels help logs burn more efficiently and be easier to light. Wet logs smoke and smoulder when burned, releasing a lot of harmful particulate matter into the atmosphere (including PM2.5). According to Defra’s quality standards, wood fuels need to be dried to under 20% moisture in order to be safe to burn.

Are Kiln-Dried Logs Safe to Store Indoors?

Yes, kiln-dried logs are safe to store indoors. Seasoned logs often become home to mould and mildew, and they can begin to rot after a period of time. The kiln-drying process nips all mould and mildew in the bud and creates logs that can be safely stored indoors for many years.

Kiln-Dried Logs Have Improved Heat Output

Another benefit of kiln-dried logs is their improved heat output. With less energy being wasted on smouldering and smoking, more of it can be harvested in the form of heat energy. The heat output difference between wet or improperly seasoned wood and kiln-dried logs can be quite drastic.

What Are the Benefits of Improved Heat Output?

The increased heat output of kiln-dried logs is beneficial because it allows you to get more warmth per unit of fuel burned. This can mean lower heating costs and a reduction in the frequency with which new logs need to be added to the stove.

Kiln-Dried Birch Logs Vs Kiln-Dried Oak Firewood

Kiln-dried logs are typically made from either oak or birch:

  • Kiln-dried oak logs. A premium option that burns for a long time and at a high temperature. Because of this, they are the prime choice of firewood connoisseurs and authentic pizzerias.
  • Kiln-dried birch logs. The UK’s most popular type of kiln-dried firewood, birch logs are inexpensive, easy to use, and create beautiful flames.

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