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How to Kiln Dry Firewood
Kiln drying your firewood is an efficient and cost-effective way to prepare the wood for burning. It removes the moisture from the wood, making it burn faster and hotter, and reduces the risk of mold and bacterial growth in the wood. By following these steps, you can quickly and safely kiln dry your firewood.
Step 1: Choose the Right Kind of Wood
Choose wood that is dense and has minimal knots and cracks. The grain should be tight and consistent. Softwood works best for kiln drying, and is generally the cheapest option. Hardwoods can also be used, but they take longer to dry.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
- Power drill and bits
- Kiln
- Firewood
- Thermometer
- Moisture content meter
Step 3: Prepare the Wood
Drill holes into the bark of the firewood logs. This allows the moisture to escape to help speed up the drying process. You can also split the logs into smaller pieces to facilitate faster drying.
Step 4: Put the Wood in the Kiln
Place the wood in the kiln, making sure it is evenly distributed to ensure even drying. Set the temperature of the kiln to between 140-160 F. The kiln should be monitored regularly (every two hours) to make sure the temperature is consistent throughout the process.
Step 5: Check the Wood
Use the thermometer and moisture content meter to check the progress of the wood. It is important to make sure the wood is consistently drying, and the temperature is not too high or too low. Once the firewood has reached a moisture content of 15-20%, it is ready to be removed from the kiln.
Step 6: Store the Wood
Once the firewood is kiln-dried, it should be stored in a dry place. Make sure the wood is covered and protected from the elements, as this will ensure that it will last longer and burn hot.
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