One of the most important points to consider before choosing the right firewood for your home is moisture content. It might seem simple, but many people assume that all firewood is created equally - this is far from the case. Below, we explain why the moisture content of logs for burning is important, before introducing our excellent kiln-dried firewood, which is perfect for any home fire.
Understanding log moisture levels
To put it simply - for firewood to burn efficiently and effectively, it needs to be dry enough. It’s widely accepted that firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or lower to be used in a fire. If the moisture content of logs for burning is too high, it becomes progressively harder to burn in a fire. Freshly cut wood with high moisture content is typically referred to as ‘green wood’, and it’s not suitable for use as firewood right away. Rather, it needs to be dried over a period of time to ensure it has the right moisture content for use as firewood.
The natural process of drying wood
Drying wood naturally is a process known as seasoning. As you might expect, the higher the moisture content of the wood when it is cut, the longer it will take to dry. Softwoods can take up to a year to dry out naturally to a moisture content of less than 20%, while hardwoods can take twice as long. When you consider the fact that trees are typically comprised of 50% water, it’s little surprise that it takes so long for wood to dry out naturally. So, are there any ways to speed up the drying process of wood?
Kiln-Drying wood
The most efficient way of drying wood is to use a kiln-drying method. This process sees wood placed in an industrial kiln, where it is baked for several days until its moisture content is below 20%. The beauty of kiln-drying wood is that it takes all of the guesswork out of the moisture content of logs for burning. After the kiln-drying process, a moisture probe is used to ascertain the moisture content of the wood before it is processed, packed, and shipped to your home.
The benefits of kiln-dried wood
Kiln-dried firewood is up there with the best type of wood for burning on your fire. The key advantage is that kiln-dried firewood burns hotter for longer, and it also produces fewer smoke emissions than green wood. Another benefit is that kiln-dried wood ignites easier than wetter wood, making the entire process of setting and lighting your home fire that little bit more straightforward. Our large handy bag of kiln-dried firewood is one of our best sellers and is ideal for your outdoor fire pit this summer.
Recap: The moisture content of logs for burning is important
Before buying wood for your fire, you need to consider its moisture content. At Homefire, our kiln-dried firewood has a moisture content of 20% or less, ensuring it burns hotter and longer in your fireplace. When you build your fire with wood with low moisture content, you can rest assured that it will burn efficiently, and you don’t need to worry too much about additional smoke emissions.