What Is Kiln-Dried Wood?

When it comes to burning firewood, not all wood performs the same. 

Moisture content, preparation, and storage all play a role in how much heat you get — and how cleanly your fireplace or wood stove burns.

One term that comes up often when shopping for high-quality firewood is kiln-dried wood. It’s usually mentioned alongside seasoned wood and generally associated with better performance, but what it actually means isn’t always clear.

If you’ve ever wondered what kiln-dried wood is or whether it’s worth choosing over other firewood options, this guide breaks it down. We’ll explain how kiln-dried wood is made, how it compares to seasoned wood, and why many homeowners prefer it for cleaner, more efficient home heating.

What is kiln-dried wood?

Kiln-dried wood is, put simply, wood that has been dried in an oven.

But this isn’t just any oven; it’s a specialized, high-temperature appliance built to handle extreme heat for processes like ceramic glazing, brick making, or drying wood. This oven is known as a kiln.

With a kiln, the environment can be carefully controlled for a set period of time. This allows wood to dry to a desired moisture content much faster than it would through air-drying, or seasoning.

How is kiln-dried wood made?

The key elements of the kiln-drying environment are temperature, humidity, and airflow.

• Loading: Freshly cut, high-moisture green wood is stacked
• Placement: The stacks are loaded into a kiln with thin stickers (spacers) between each layer to increase airflow
• Temperature control: Temperatures often range from 120°F to over 200°F (49°C to 93°C), which sterilizes the wood and ensures deep drying  
• Heating and airflow: The kiln heats the wood while fans force hot, dry air through the logs
• Moisture removal: A drying unit extracts moisture from the air, which is then drained away
• Duration: Many providers kiln dry for 48 to 72 hours at 200°F or more

This is the general process, though exact methods can vary based on the kiln design and the type of wood being dried.

According to the Oklahoma State University Extension, common kiln types include conventional kilns, dehumidification kilns, and vacuum kilns. Dense hardwoods such as oak, hickory, ash, maple, beech, and hornbeam are most often kiln-dried. While softwoods like pine can be kiln-dried, hardwoods dominate due to their superior density and performance, producing more BTUs and less creosote for cleaner, more efficient burning.

Key characteristics

Kiln-dried wood is known for being:

• Low moisture content: Typically under 20% (often 8-20%), compared to around 30% for air-dried wood, ensuring proper combustion
• Easy to light: Less water to evaporate allows for quick, reliable ignition
• Burns hotter and more efficiently: More energy is converted to heat instead of steam
• Cleaner burn: Produces significantly less smoke, soot, and creosote, improving air quality and reducing chimney buildup
• Pest- and mold-free: High kiln temperatures kill insects, larvae, mold, and fungi, making it safer for indoor use
• Consistent quality: Controlled drying results in uniform performance
• Ready to use: Can be burned immediately with no seasoning wait

Because it eliminates the insects, larvae, mold, and fungi that live in wood, kiln-dried wood may appear suitable for safe transport across state lines. However, it’s still not as reliably pest-free as USDA-certified heat-treated wood. 

It’s recommended to always check local regulations and choose certified options when required to help prevent the spread of invasive species — never rely solely on a “kiln-dried” label.

Should you burn kiln-dried wood?

It offers superior performance for many wood-burning applications and is especially well-suited for:

• Wood stoves and fireplaces: Better efficiency and less maintenance
• Fire pits and campfires: Quick, clean, and hot fires
• Live-fire cooking: Fast, consistent, and clean heat for grilling or smoking

With less moisture, there’s a cleaner burn and less smoke and buildup in your chimney.

Pros and cons of kiln dried wood

Pros:

• Ready to burn: Low moisture content means easy lighting and immediate use
• Higher heat output: More energy goes into heat instead of evaporating water
• Cleaner burn: Less smoke, soot, and creosote buildup
• Pest- and mold-free: Kiln temperatures eliminate insects and spores
• Consistent quality: Predictable moisture and performance

Cons:

• Higher cost: More expensive than seasoned wood due to processing
• Burns faster: Extremely dry wood may require more frequent reloading
• Production costs: Requires energy-intensive equipment
• Can get wet: Must be stored properly to maintain dryness (pro tip: try a log rack and log rack cover)

While it can be expensive upfront, costing $200 to $700 per cord, the efficiency and reliability of kiln-dried wood often make it a preferred choice for some users.

Seasoned wood may be a better choice if budget is your main concern and you’re willing to wait and manage the drying process.

Both kiln-dried and seasoned firewood are safe to burn. Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your priorities. If you’re willing to pay a higher price, don’t want to gamble on moisture or pests, and want to burn your wood right away, kiln-dried wood may be the best firewood option for you.