Traditional Air Dried Vs Kiln Dried Logs
Logs are both kiln dried and air dried for the same reason, which is to provide a timber which is ready to burn both safely and efficiently.
We at Petersfield Logs have always maintained that the traditional method of air drying logs is by far the best.
The reason for this is that it is not possible to rush the air drying process. Our timber is cut in local forestry into 12 foot lengths and transported back to the farm where it is left to mature for at the very least 2 years. During this time the wood naturally dries bringing it down to a moisture level which is both safe and efficient to burn.
Whereas the process of kiln drying logs involves green timber (freshly cut) being put through the kiln then generally being ready to burn after 10 days of cooking. The problem with this is to run a kiln you need another energy source to run it. This could be electric, oil, gas or in some cases wood. We at Petersfield Logs believe that it is neither environmentally or financially viable. A great deal of the kiln dried timber that is on sale at the moment in the UK is produced in eastern Europe again using oil fired kilns and then transported by lorry and ferry across the continent, which has a dubious environmental impact.
The process we use to season our logs is costly but only to us and not to the environment.
Another concern we have with some batches of kiln dried logs that we have viewed is that they appear to be flashed through the kiln and not left in there long enough resulting in a log that looks and feels dry to touch but on re splitting still has a green/wet core, which in turn results in potential problems for your wood burners and chimneys. At Petersfield logs all our loose loads and bulk bags are air dried to a safe moisture content. If you are looking for something even drier we can offer netted sacks of wood that are 2 years air dried and then a following 8 months barn stored. Giving you a bone dry log dryer than most kiln dried logs but ethically produced and seasoned and perfect for instant use.
Feedback from customers who have tried our air dried loose and barn stored netted sacks compared to commercially produced kiln dried is that our lasts far longer and produces far more heat and bottom in the fire.
All our air dried and barn stored logs are available in 3 wood types for delivery or collection from the farm.
