Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

[RichC]

Hi,
whats the difference and does it matter to us?(I assume seasoned is just allowed to dry naturally??)

Thanks

Richard

[Les]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Rich,

It doesn't matter to us. Kiln dried lumber is more stable (won't warp) and the added cost is worth it if you are building something like cabinets.

[RichC]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Thanks Les!

[JACKO3275]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

As long ast the moisture content is below 20% its doesnt mater

[RichC]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

As long ast the moisture content is below 20% its doesnt mater

What's the downside of a higher moisture content as long as it burns?

[boerwarrior]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Smoke, soot, and doesn't burn as hot (at least not in the beginning)

[RichC]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Thx guys, will try and stick with kiln dried to ensure dryness

[mikku]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Never heard of anywhere that kiln dried wood was required for use in any type of wood burning device!

If you live near a cabinet shop or have access to builders who regularly have scrap materials then they are a good source for kindling or firewood. But you have to remember- kiln drying usually starts by introducing moisture to wood then it extracts it to specific uniform dryness. Once the wood is processed however, it will return to the moisture levels of its surroundings.

When I process my firewood, I try to remove as much bark as possible while it is being split. Wood without the bark dries quicker. Many people have differing ideas on this issue. Some say to keep the bark on, but split it once.
Others say to stack the wood with the bark upward so that it sheds water if exposed to rain, others say bark downward so the water can evaporate more easily from the wood.

Mine is different. I split the wood first attempting to peel the outer layers off with a hydraulic splitter. These off casts I will use for my WFO. The center bark less wood is used for a wood stove inside my home. Removing the bark also removes places for insects to breed and call home. These thin bark slabs that result dry very quickly and can be used the same year as cut.

[Les]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Thx guys, will try and stick with kiln dried to ensure dryness

Rich, save your money. Pine can dry good enough to burn in 6 months. Oak may take a year. Kiln dried is overkill.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Gudday
Kiln dry your own! Pack some wood in you oven after your finished using it and let the remaining heat do it for you.
Regards dave

[Gulf]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Rich,
You have gotten some great! advice. I'll try to add to that, if I can. I just did a search on Ireland's Forests. Only 10% of your country is in forest . I see where you are coming from now. Try adding "wind/ice falls" to your oven's diet. In the towns near to where I live, most people welcome someone who would pick up their yard after a storm. Most of these limbs are small and have already dried before they fell. Some may be a little punky, but you can sort them out. I keep a set of loppers with me at all times. You would be surprised at how much wood I pick up this way. And, most of the wind falls are already seasoned. I have also, came right behind the power company when they were trimming green limbs from their right of way. Small limbs, even if they are green when they are cut dry, pretty fast . Some weeks, I may only pick up only a wheel barrow full. But then, I have had to go back home and get my pickup and chain saw .

[kanoer54]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Great advice from Gulf. I do similar work to get limbs and branches from the utility companies where I live. It is easy and they usually are willing to let you have them for free. You just need to be in the right place at the right time to get some free firewood.

[GrahamG]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

We purchased kiln dried for our first firing and it was real expensive, around ?200 a tonne bag, that lasted around 3 months. We get a trailer full of seasoned hardwood logs for ?90 that lasts 9 months.

[Amac]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Hi rich
Smoky wood will not damage the oven - only cause a nuisance if you have neighbours. Recently I got rid of a Christmas tree and some Leylandii (you might know what a pain this stuff is) branches in the oven. The Christmas tree was so dry it burned insantly like petrol. The leylandii was fresh and smoked like hell at first but when it caught properly it stopped smoking and cleared all the soot from the dome after about two hours of feeding it that stuff.
Aidan

[NCMan]

Re: Kiln dried Vs Seasoned?

Here in this area, there is a virtually limitless supply of wooden pallets. I could go get a pickup load anytime. There are so many businesses that accumulate them, they love people to come get them. I run a small firewood business during the summer (we live near a campground and sell wood to campers) and use the pallet slats for kindling. The large majority of the pallets here are oak. Great stuff, for free. Keeps them out of the landfill, too. If you can find a good pallet source, it's great stuff for your WFO, free. At the least, a good way to supplement your supply.