Kiln-Dried vs Seasoned Firewood: What's the Difference?
When buying firewood, you'll often come across two options: seasoned logs and kiln-dried logs. Both are popular choices for wood-burning stoves, open fires and other wood-burning appliances, but what actually makes them different, and is one better than the other?
The answer isn't quite as straightforward as you might think. While kiln-dried firewood is often marketed as the premium choice, properly seasoned hardwood can offer equally impressive performance at a more affordable price.
At Field View Firewood, we supply both. Here's what you need to know before choosing your next delivery of logs.
What Are Seasoned Logs?
Seasoned firewood is wood that has been allowed to dry naturally over time. After the timber is cut and split into logs, it's stored in a well-ventilated environment where air can circulate and gradually remove moisture from the wood.
This traditional drying process can take anywhere from several months to years or longer, depending on the type of wood, log size, weather conditions and how it's stored.
When properly seasoned, hardwood logs can reach a moisture content of 20% or less, making them suitable for immediate burning.
Why choose seasoned firewood?
Excellent value: Natural air drying generally makes seasoned logs a more affordable option than kiln-dried alternatives.
Reliable heat: Properly dried hardwood provides strong, consistent heat for everyday use.
Traditional drying process: The wood dries naturally without requiring a kiln.
Ideal for regular use: A practical and economical choice for households using their log burner or open fire throughout the colder months.
One common misconception is that seasoned logs are still damp or need further drying before use. Although this can be true of poorly prepared firewood, properly seasoned, Ready to Burn certified logs are already dry enough to burn.
What Are Kiln-Dried Logs?
Kiln-dried firewood undergoes a different drying process. Rather than relying entirely on natural airflow, the logs are placed in a specially designed kiln where controlled heat and ventilation remove moisture from the wood.
This significantly reduces drying time and allows suppliers to produce firewood with a more controlled moisture content.
Kiln-dried logs can sometimes have a lower moisture content than naturally seasoned logs, which can make them particularly easy to light.
Why choose kiln-dried firewood?
Easy lighting: Very dry logs tend to ignite readily, particularly when used with suitable kindling.
Consistent moisture: Controlled drying can help achieve consistent results across batches.
Convenience: An appealing option for occasional fires or customers who prioritise straightforward lighting.
Versatility: Suitable for log burners, open fires and appropriate wood-fired cooking appliances.
Kiln-dried logs generally cost more because the drying process requires additional equipment, energy and handling.
However, kiln-dried doesn't automatically mean better firewood. The quality of the timber, its moisture content and how it's stored are all important.
Why Moisture Content Matters More Than the Drying Method
Perhaps the most important thing to understand when buying firewood is its moisture content.
Freshly cut timber contains a considerable amount of water. When wet logs are burned, some of the fire's energy is used to evaporate that moisture rather than providing useful heat.
This can lead to:
Difficulty lighting and maintaining a fire.
Reduced useful heat output.
Increased smoke and emissions.
Greater deposits of soot and tar within the chimney or flue.
For efficient domestic wood burning, the recommended moisture content is 20% or less.
This is also the standard behind the government's Ready to Burn certification scheme, which applies to firewood sold in quantities of less than 2 cubic metres in England.
Importantly, both naturally seasoned and kiln-dried firewood can achieve this standard.
At Field View Firewood, both our seasoned and kiln-dried logs are Ready to Burn certified, meaning you can choose either with confidence that the wood meets the required moisture standard.
Does Kiln-Dried Firewood Produce More Heat?
Not necessarily.
If you compare two logs of the same hardwood species, at the same moisture content and weight, their available energy will be very similar regardless of whether they were seasoned naturally or kiln-dried.
Kiln-dried logs may produce more useful heat than wetter seasoned logs, but that advantage comes primarily from the difference in moisture.
The type of wood also makes a difference. Dense hardwoods such as ash, oak and beech provide substantial energy for their volume, making them popular choices for home heating.
Ultimately, buying properly dried hardwood is more important than choosing a particular drying method.
Seasoned vs Kiln-Dried Logs: A Quick Comparison
How Should You Store Your Firewood?
Whichever type of logs you choose, correct storage is essential.
Even perfectly dried firewood can become damp if it's left exposed to the elements for extended periods.
Ideally, logs should be stored in a dedicated log store or another dry, well-ventilated area.
Keep your firewood raised off the ground, protect it from direct rainfall and allow air to circulate around the stack. Avoid completely enclosing logs in plastic sheeting, which can trap moisture.
If you're unsure whether your logs are dry enough, a moisture meter can help. For a more representative reading, split a log and test the freshly exposed inner surface.
So, Which Firewood Should You Buy?
For most households using a log burner or open fire regularly, properly seasoned hardwood offers an excellent balance of performance and value.
It's why seasoned logs remain our recommended choice for customers looking for a dependable, economical supply of firewood throughout winter.
However, if you want exceptionally dry logs that are convenient to light, kiln-dried hardwood is certainly worth considering.
The important thing is to buy quality hardwood from a reputable supplier, check that it's properly dried and store it correctly once delivered.
Quality Hardwood Logs Delivered Locally
At Field View Firewood, we're a small, family-run firewood supplier based in Helmdon, delivering quality hardwood logs throughout Brackley, Towcester and surrounding villages.
Our firewood is predominantly ash, alongside other quality hardwoods including beech and oak, and is available in a range of convenient sizes.
Whether you're stocking up for winter or simply need a few bags for the weekend, we offer seasoned and kiln-dried logs in handy bags, larger bulk bags and other delivery options, with seasoned loose loads also available.
Both our seasoned and kiln-dried firewood are Ready to Burn certified, so whichever you choose, you can be confident you're receiving properly dried hardwood ready for your fire.
Explore our range and order online at www.fieldviewfirewood.co.uk/shop
Free Delivery within 12 miles.
Loose Load Seasoned Hardwood Firewood (Approx. 1.3m³ Loose Load)
Our loose load of seasoned hardwood firewood is a popular choice for customers looking for a generous supply of reliable, high-quality logs for wood burners, open fires and outdoor fire pits. Each load contains approximately 1.3 cubic metres of loose logs, which will stack to around 1 cubic metre once neatly stacked.
The load is a mixed hardwood blend, predominantly Ash, along with Beech, Oak and other hardwood species. These hardwoods are well known for their excellent heat output, steady burn and long-lasting embers, making them ideal for keeping your home warm throughout the colder months.
All of our seasoned logs are naturally air-dried to reduce their moisture content, allowing them to light easily, burn efficiently and provide a dependable heat output.
Log Size Options
Choose the size that best suits your stove or fireplace:
Standard Logs: approximately 9 inches
Longer Logs: approximately 12 inches
Extra Long Logs: approximately 15 inches
Key Details
Approx. 1.3 cubic metres loose volume
Stacks to approximately 1 cubic metre when neatly stacked
Mixed hardwood species, predominantly Ash, with Beech, Oak and other hardwoods
Naturally seasoned logs
Available in 9", 12" or 15" log lengths
Suitable for wood burners, fireplaces, chimineas and fire pits
Please note: In the rare event that seasoned logs are unavailable due to stock levels, your order will be upgraded at no extra cost to kiln-dried logs of equal or higher quality.
A compact, convenient supply of quality hardwood logs, ready to store and ready to burn.
Free Delivery within 12 miles.
Seasoned Hardwood Firewood – Bulk Bag
Our bulk bag of seasoned hardwood logs is a convenient and popular option for customers who need a larger quantity of high-quality firewood. Each bag contains approximately 0.65m³ of logs, providing a generous supply while remaining compact enough for practical storage.
The logs are a mixed hardwood blend, predominantly Ash, along with Beech, Oak and other hardwood species. These hardwoods are renowned for their excellent heat output, long burn times and steady burn, making them ideal for wood burners, open fires, chimineas and fire pits.
All of our seasoned logs are naturally air-dried to reduce their moisture content, allowing them to light easily, burn efficiently and produce a reliable heat output.
For your convenience, we can deliver the bulk bag directly to your driveway, garden or preferred storage area, provided there is clear access and no steps or obstacles.
Log Size Options
Choose the size that best suits your stove or fireplace:
Standard Logs: approximately 9 inches
Longer Logs: approximately 12 inches
Extra Long Logs: approximately 15 inches
Key Details
Bulk bag size: approximately 0.65m³
Mixed hardwood species, predominantly Ash, with Beech, Oak and other hardwoods
Naturally seasoned logs
Available in 9", 12" or 15" log lengths
Delivered to your property where access allows
Suitable for wood burners, fireplaces, chimineas and fire pits
Please note: In the rare event that seasoned logs are unavailable due to stock levels, your order will be upgraded at no extra cost to kiln-dried logs of equal or higher quality.
A compact, convenient supply of quality hardwood logs, ready to store and ready to burn.
Free Delivery within 12 miles.
Loose Load Kiln-Dried Hardwood Firewood (Approx. 1.3m³ Loose Load)
Our loose load of kiln-dried hardwood firewood is a popular choice for customers looking for a generous supply of premium-quality logs for wood burners, open fires and outdoor fire pits. Each load contains approximately 1.3 cubic metres of loose logs, which will stack to around 1 cubic metre once neatly stacked.
The load is a mixed hardwood blend, predominantly Ash, along with Beech, Oak and other hardwood species. Carefully kiln dried to a moisture content of below 20%, these hardwood logs light quickly, burn hotter, produce more heat, making them ideal for keeping your home warm.
Log Size
Our kiln-dried logs are supplied in one standard size:
Standard Logs: approximately 9–10 inches
Key Details
Approx. 1.3 cubic metres loose volume
Stacks to approximately 1 cubic metre when neatly stacked
Mixed hardwood species, predominantly Ash, with Beech, Oak and other hardwoods
Kiln dried to below 20% moisture
Standard 9–10 inch log length
Suitable for wood burners, fireplaces, chimineas and fire pits
A convenient loose load of premium hardwood logs that are dry, easy to light and ready to stack and burn.
Free Delivery within 12 miles.
Kiln-Dried Hardwood Firewood – Bulk Bag
Our bulk bag of kiln-dried hardwood logs is a convenient and popular option for customers who need a larger quantity of premium-quality firewood. Each bag contains approximately 0.65m³ of logs, providing a generous supply while remaining compact enough for practical storage.
The logs are a mixed hardwood blend, predominantly Ash, along with Beech, Oak and other hardwood species. Carefully kiln dried to a moisture content of below 20%, they light quickly, burn hotter, produce more heat and create less smoke than wetter logs. They are ideal for wood burners, open fires, chimineas and fire pits.
For your convenience, we can deliver the bulk bag directly to your driveway, garden or preferred storage area, provided there is clear access with no steps or obstacles.
Log Size
Our kiln-dried logs are supplied in one standard size:
Standard Logs: approximately 9–10 inches
Key Details
Bulk bag size: approximately 0.65m³
Mixed hardwood species, predominantly Ash, with Beech, Oak and other hardwoods
Kiln dried to below 20% moisture
Standard 9–10 inch log length
Delivered to your property where access allows
Suitable for wood burners, fireplaces, chimineas and fire pits
A generous, convenient supply of premium hardwood logs that are dry, easy to light and ready to burn.
