When you are trying to find logs to buy near me you’ll likely come across several types of firewood. Kiln dried logs and seasoned firewood are two of the most common but you’ll probably find something called “green wood” too.
If you aren’t 100% sure what green wood is and how it compares to kiln dried logs, we have everything you need to know.
Let’s find out the pros and cons of each and if kiln dried logs are more expensive?
So, what is green wood?
Unlike logs that have been dried in a kiln, green wood is firewood that hasn’t been dried out or seasoned. Green wood is generally wood that has been recently cut. This means that it will have a very high moisture content (compared to the 20% and below for kiln dried firewood).
While kiln dried logs will have been treated in a kiln and seasoned firewood will have been left to season for a number of months, green wood is still relatively ‘raw’ when it comes to using on your wood burner.
We should also note that the government has announced that unseasoned wood (green wood) is going to be phased out over the next few years in England.
Is green wood cheaper than kiln dried?
Yes, green wood is cheaper than kiln dried wood, this is because with green wood, there isn’t a drying out process that reduces the moisture content, making it safer to burn like there is with kiln dried wood, therefor it makes the wood cheaper, however not as good for the environment as kiln dried.
Pros and Cons of green wood
Green wood is often available in more types of wood than kind dried too.
That being said, the cons outweigh the pros of using kiln dried wood. It has a high moisture content so it isn’t ideal for burning and it has been linked to various health conditions too. It also has a negative impact on the environment.
It won’t produce a high heat and will release more creosote which will leave deposits in the flue. This can be potentially dangerous.
Kiln dried logs on the other hand will produce a much higher heat output because much of the moisture has been removed. They release less emissions and are a cleaner type of wood to use.
There will be less choice in terms of the wood available in most cases however it offers a much better burn. Kiln dried logs - such as ash and birch - are also far better for your wood burner as well.
The downside will be that kiln dried wood will generally be more expensive. That being said, quality is definitely better than quantity in this case.
What should you choose?
So, when you search for logs to buy, you’ll find that kiln dried firewood will be more expensive than green wood.
However, we always recommend using kiln dried wood in your wood burner. The fact that green wood and some other fuel is being phased out and will be banned in the next few years, further makes the case for kiln dried logs.
Not only is it safer as it will leave less deposits in your flue and is better for the environment and general health, it burns better too.
Spending a little bit more money on some high quality kiln dried firewood will make all the difference. You could go for the cheaper option but you’ll pay for it in the long run.
Shop our kiln dried logs range today
At Homefire, we only stock kiln dried wood which is dried to a moisture level of less than 20%, making them a great low smoke emissions fuel.
Benefit from ready to burn logs that give fantastic results every time and are available in a range of sizes from bulk bags to handy bags.
What’s more, our kiln dried logs can be delivered straight to your log store! Shop our range today.