Kiln Dried vs Seasoned Logs: Which Should You Buy?

What's the difference between kiln dried and seasoned logs?

Which burns better?

Dry wood burns better, however it was dried. The water in a log has to boil off before the wood itself burns, so a wet log gives less heat, more smoke and more tar in the chimney. Forest Research says freshly felled wood has about half the energy of well-seasoned wood. A seasoned log at 20% burns about as well as a kiln dried log at 20%. The difference is that kiln dried logs reliably get there, and often go lower.

Do seasoned logs have to be Ready to Burn?

In England, wood sold in volumes under 2 m³ must be certified Ready to Burn, which means 20% moisture or less, whether it was dried in a kiln or in the open air. Larger loads of 2 m³ or more can be sold wetter, but the seller must give you a notice explaining how to dry, store and check the wood before you burn it. So a small bag of seasoned logs should carry the Ready to Burn logo, while a big loose load may need another year in your log store. More in What is Ready to Burn?.

Are kiln dried logs worth the extra cost?

Work out how much of what you buy turns into heat, not just the price of the bag.

• Kiln dried logs light quickly and give their full heat from the first log, so you burn fewer for the same warmth.
• Seasoned logs that are still above 20% burn cooler, so you use more of them and get more soot on the stove glass and in the flue.
• A bulk seasoned load works out cheaper if you can store it for a year or more and let it finish drying.

Our mixed hardwood tonne bag is £120 and our softwood tonne bag is £95. Delivery is free within 40 miles of our Keighley yard on orders over £75. Prices correct as of 20 October 2026.

How can I tell if logs are dry enough?

A moisture meter on a freshly split face is the only reliable test. Dry logs also tend to have cracks across the ends, loose bark, a hollow knock when two are struck together, and less weight than they look. Wet logs hiss, steam and struggle to stay lit. Our firewood moisture guide shows how to test them step by step.

How should I store kiln dried logs?

Keep them off the ground and under a roof, with open sides so air can move through. Kiln dried logs left in the rain or a damp shed will take on moisture again. If yours arrive in a bag, move them into a log store or keep the bag covered.