What Are the Benefits of Kiln-Dried Firewood? (2024)

Are you looking for a fire that produces less smoke, burns hotter and lasts longer? Wish you could reap all the benefits of that cozy fire without the downsides? Then you’re looking for the many benefits of kiln-dried firewood! We’ve learned from experience just how awesome kiln-dried firewood is and want to share that knowledge with the world.

Below, we’ll discuss some primary benefits of using kiln-dried firewood over seasoned or green options. By the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to purchase some of the good stuff for yourself!

Super Low Moisture Content

We’ll let you in on a little secret about burning firewood: the higher the moisture, the greater the frustration. Okay, maybe that’s not much of a secret, but here’s the thing: regular firewood is often too moist!

Most of the stuff you see at your local hardware store or gas station contains a moisture level north of 20%. That’s why when you try to ignite it, it often takes a few matches and some handwringing before anything happens.

The problem is these stores sell seasoned wood (i.e., wood dried naturally over time), which rarely creates dry enough wood. For wood to burn well, it needs to have a moisture content below 20%. And only the kiln-drying process can consistently produce wood below that threshold.

At Lumberjacks, we’ve been kiln-drying our wood for decades, and we are amazed at how it repeatedly produces wood with a moisture level of 10-15%. This magical process makes the wood much easier to burn than your standard logs!

Efficient and Fiery Flames

Not only is kiln-dried firewood easier to ignite, but it also makes for some incredible fires!Because of its low moisture content, the wood burns more efficiently than regular firewood. In other words, it takes less wood to create the hot flames you’re looking for.

And speaking of those flames, they’re some of the brightest and hottest you’ll ever see in a fireplace, fire pit or wherever you choose to burn the wood. The drying process ensures nothing will get in the way of a killer burning experience!

Goodbye Insects, Mold and Pesticides

Speaking of nothing getting in the way of a great fire, did you know kiln-dried wood also comes completely free of bugs, mildew and insecticides? It’s true! The kiln-drying process removes all those annoyances, leaving only pristine wood to get the job done right.

Not only is this great for burning, but it also opens many possibilities for storing your wood. Storing regular wood indoors is risky because you never know what weird bugs or fungi the logs could be towing along with them. Not so with kiln-dried wood!

Oh, and kiln-dried firewood also leaves less of a mess when you’re carrying it or storing it inside. Seasoned wood leaves debris all over the floor, which can be a pain to clean up. However, kiln-dried options shed less bark and wood bits than regular wood.

When you go with luxury wood, storage is a luxury, too. You can stack the wood in your garage, basem*nt or anywhere else without worrying about any damage it might cause. Just make sure you pick a spot with low humidity to keep that moisture level perfect.

Hello Eco-Friendly Combustion

When fire struggles to burn wet wood, it must expend more energy. The result is a smokier fire, which produces more creosote and other harmful emissions. These emissions often lead to awful air pollution and unhealthy breathing conditions.

Breathing issues from excessive smoke production can be especially noticeable indoors, where it lingers due to less natural airflow. Some people are at a higher risk of health issues from excessive smoke production and will highly benefit from our low-smoke options. These people may include older adults, babies and anyone with a pre-existing condition like asthma or COPD.

Another benefit of less smoke? It won’t get in your eyes and ruin your good time. Say goodbye to itchy, watery eyes while sitting by the fire when you choose kiln-dried firewood.

No Smelly Outcomes

The smell of smoke eventually gets old and musty, lingering in hair and clothes for days after one attends a firepit. By avoiding the excess moisture that produces so much smoke, kiln-dried firewood stops this overpowering scent in its tracks.

Part of the problem is that moisture mixes with smoke to stick to everybody near the fire upon evaporation, which is why the scent of smoke is so persistent. When you use kiln-dried firewood, you won’t smell like anything once that fire is said and done.

Even after spending several hours around a toasty fire, you won’t smell a thing!

Lighten Your Load

One of the worst parts of making a fire is lugging out all that heavy wood. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Yes, kiln-dried firewood even makes carrying the wood more enjoyable.

You see, a lot of what makes firewood so heavy is moisture. Damp wood is a real drag to lug around.

But take out most of that water weight, and you’re left with a much lighter load. Your arms and back will thank you for choosing kiln-dried.

Can’t Beat Kiln-Dried Cooking Wood

If you fancy yourself a chef, then you should know that kiln-dried wood is also awesome to cook with.High-quality cooking wood is crucial in cooking processes like smoking, grilling and barbecuing. In fact, hickory wood helps give mouthwatering barbecue its sweet, tangy, robust flavor.

Because of its low moisture, kiln-dried firewood will never produce a musty flavor that sours your meats or vegetables. Don’t believe us? Just ask some of the top restaurants in the country. Many fine dining establishments only use kiln-dried wood to fuel their grills, stoves and ovens. You can’t argue with the best!

Ideal Marshmallow Toasting

Marshmallows are supposed to taste like sugar, not ash. Kiln-dried firewood will allow you to roast marshmallows to the perfect consistency.

There shouldn’t be too much char, but you shouldn’t end up with a pristinely white marshmallow, either. Don’t settle for anything less than that legendary golden color along the edges!

If you want to spoil your dinner with the best smores you’ve ever eaten, kiln-dried firewood is non-negotiable. You might even enjoy using kiln-dried firewood to make other DIY snacks, like hot dogs and sausages.

Added Benefit of Top-Notch Customer Service

We believe kiln-dried firewood is the best choice for all your fires – whether for warmth, enjoyment or cooking. But we also believe the company you purchase from is equally as important. Even the best firewood can be soured by a poor customer service experience.

That’s why, at Lumberjacks, we serve our kiln-dried firewood (and other luxury wood products) with love. We’re dedicated to providing our products with hassle-free service, from answering your questions to ensuring quick, convenient delivery. When you choose Lumberjacks, your kiln-dried firewood will always come with the added benefit of top-notch customer service!

Need We Say More?

We could go on all day about the fantastic benefits of kiln-dried firewood, but we think we’ve proven our point. Kiln-dried firewood burns easier, brighter and longer with less smoke than standard wood. What’s not to love?

If you’re interested in getting some luxury wood of your own, we’d be happy to help! Lumberjacks provides kiln-dried firewood for delivery or pickup in Woodstock, IL, and throughout the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin regions.