Kiln-dried logs

We kiln dry our logs for a minimum of 5 full days in order to dry properly our logs. Sometimes if the humidity level is very high we increase for up to 7 days ( usually in the coldest part of mid-winter.)

When we put the logs into the kiln, firstly we put the logs into crates of between one and two cubic meters capacity, the logs are not stacked tightly together but merely thrown randomly into the crate creating as much air space as possible. Some companies stack the logs in a crate in 3 rows tightly together to get as many logs into the kiln as possible, if the logs are stacked together then the air and most importantly the heat can not pass freely between the logs, drying them in an even manner. We also stack our crates in the kiln with a 20 to 30 cm distance between the crates so as to let air and heat come into contact with all the logs evenly.

The kiln heat is approximately 90 to 100 degrees. The reason for this temperature is that if you kiln too low the heat is not sufficient to allow the logs to sweat out the moisture and if too hot the outside of the log is baked and traps the moisture into the log. If the moisture is trapped in side the log within a few days of leaving the kiln the wood becomes moist again on the outside as the moisture leaches. During kilning the moist air is vacuum removed at regular intervals. Moisture sensors attached to long wires are knocked into some logs in different parts of the kiln to monitor the log moisture content. Some kilns do not have this technology and humans have to enter the kilns at regular intervals while the kiln is running, to take moisture readings. Modern kilns automatically switch off when the set moisture level is reached. Some bogus log companies only kiln for short time in order to advertise kiln dried logs but of course we know the logs will still be wet. When the kilns are switched on they are manned 24 hrs a day because when the moisture in the air gets to a certain level it has to be vacuum removed.

When the logs are removed from the kiln they have to stand in the crates for another 2 to 3 days before packing so as to slowly cool down. If they are packed too soon while still hot they can still create humidity and sweat. A sweating log can very quickly start to mould.

The kilning process is a mine field if not done properly. This is why it is so important for the end user to chose carefully where they buy kiln dried wood and from which company. It is hard to find customers but very easy to lose them.

As the manufacturer, our fire wood and burning products are required to be FSC certified and rain forest alliance certified, which means we pay particular attention to our environment, all wood comes from well managed forests. Re planting and an awareness of the natural habitat of wild life is of paramount importance. For instance during the harvesting of the forest dead trees are left standing for the wood pecker, some large healthy trees are also left standing so that dropping seeds help to feed smaller animals and birds, dropping seeds also grow new trees helping to keep the identity of the forest.

A true woodsman is taught from a very early age that if you take care of the forest, the forest will take care of you, your family, future family and generations to come. The biggest export from Latvia is timber. The country’s existence is based on caring for their forests.

It is important to us as a business to only source and supply the highest quality firewood. This will give our customers the maximum heat output and burning time. Our logs contain a moisture content of less than 20% with many averaging at 12%. With the low moisture content there is less chance of your wood burner smoking and spitting out soot particles which can often leave a clouded effect on your log stove window. Our firewood can be used for open fires, pizza ovens, fire pits, chimneas to lighten up outdoor parties on special occasions.

More often than not seasoned firewood is freshly cut timber. Fresh wood can hold up to 60% moisture (water) depending on the time of year and seasoned can mean anything from 60% moisture down. For wood to be seasoned to a moisture of 20% or less can take anything up to 3 years kept in a dry building. Our logs are all less than 20% moisture.

Wet wood or wood containing a high moisture does not burn properly or even at all, is very difficult to light, does not burn very hot and can soot or tar wood burners or flues, causing very expensive repairs and chimney fires. Wet or very damp wood also causes dark smoke and extra polution to the atmosphere. Wood burning heating systems can be very expensive to buy. The only wood guaranteed to burn correctly is kiln dried hardwood.

We deliver nationally through our Pallet Line Company and there is a standard £40 charge for this. Some areas are will carry a surcharge, please contact the office if you think you may be in one of these areas.

Other areas local to us are charged by Post Code and this can be viewed once an item has been put to the basket.

Some of the areas we cover: 

We deliver to: Accrington, Adlington, Anderton, Arnside Ashton In Makerfield, Ashton Under Lyne, Atherton, Aughton, Austwick, Bacup, Barnoldswick, Barrow, Barton, Belmont, Bickerstaffe, Bispham, Blackburn, Blacko, Blackpool, Bolton, Bolton Le Sands, Brinscal, Brookhouse, Burnley, Burscough, Burton, Bury, Capernwray, Carluke, Carnforth, Catterall, Chadderton, Chapel Le Dale, Charnock Richard, Chatburn, Chipping, Chorley, Churchtown, Claughton On Brock, Clayton Le Moors, Clayton Le Woods, Clitheroe, Cliviger, Cockerham, Colne, Coppull, Darwen, Denshaw, Didsbury, Downholland, Eccles, Eccleston, Ellel, Farnworth, Fence, Fleetwood, Forton, Foulridge, Garstang, Gisburn, Goosnargh, Great Eccleston, Great Harwood, Greenmount, Grimsargh, Grindleton, Haslingden, Heath Charnock, Heskin, Green Hest Bank, Heysham, Heywood, Hoddlesden, Hoghton, Horwich, Hurst Green, Ince, Knott End On Sea, Lancaster, Laneshawbridge, Langho, Leigh, Leyland, Littleborough, Longridge, Longton, Lytham St Annes, Mawdesley, Mellor, Mereclough, Middleton, Mitton, Morecambe, Mossley, Nelson, Oakenclough, Oldham, Ormskirk, Oswaldtwistle, Padiham, Parbold, Peel, Pleasington, Poulton Le Fylde, Preesall, Preston, Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall, Ribchester, Rishton, Rochdale, Rossendale, Saddleworth, Salford, Salterforth, Sawley, Scorton, Silverdale, Skelmersdale, Slaidburn, Southport, St Annes On Sea, Stirling, Stonyhurst, Thornton, Thornton, Cleveley, Thornton Cleveleys, Thurnham, Trawden, Tunstall, Turton, Upholland, Uppermill, Waddington, Warton, Westhoughton, Whalley, Whitewell, Whittle Le Woods, Whitworth, Wigan, Wilpshire, Wiswell, Withnell, Worsthorne, Wrea Green, Wrightington, Conyers.

We offer Free Delivery on logs within 5 miles from our base at BB6 8AD.