How long should firewood be dried before burning?
Firewood needs to be properly dried before burning to ensure a clean, efficient and safe fire. Freshly cut wood, known as green wood, is usually too wet to burn, often containing 40–60% moisture. At this level, most of the heat is wasted evaporating water rather than warming your home.
Seasoned firewood
If you’re air-drying (seasoning) firewood yourself, it typically needs:
- 12 to 24 months of drying time
- Splitting before stacking for faster drying
- Good airflow on all sides — stacked off the ground and loosely
- Protection from rain, but with an open front so air can circulate
Well-seasoned wood should reach a moisture content of around 20% or less. Anything wetter will create smoke, tar, creosote buildup and poor heat output.
Kiln dried firewood
Kiln drying is a faster, controlled process where firewood is dried in a specialist kiln for several days to reach a consistent moisture level of below 18%. This makes it:
- Ready to burn immediately
- More efficient and cleaner
- Hotter burning than seasoned wood
- Fully compliant with UK “Ready to Burn” regulations
Because we only sell kiln dried hardwood logs, you don’t have to wait months or years for your firewood to dry every log is ready to use the moment it’s delivered, giving you maximum heat output and minimal smoke.
In summary: Seasoned wood needs 1–2 years to dry properly. Kiln dried wood is ready instantly.
