Quality assurance: How to identify genuine kiln-dried firewood

Quality assurance: How to identify genuine kiln-dried firewood

In the world of cosy fires and crackling flames, the choice of firewood plays a pivotal role in ensuring a perfect fire. One of the top contenders in the firewood market is kiln-dried wood. Learn what makes this wood special and how to identify genuine kiln-dried firewood for your fire pit, outdoor fireplace top or outdoor grill.

Understanding kiln drying

Before diving into the details of genuine kiln-dried firewood, you must first grasp the kiln-drying process. Kiln drying is a meticulous method of reducing the moisture content of stack firewood.

The process involves placing seasoned firewood logs in a kiln or oven with a controlled temperature and humidity.

This controlled environment ensures that excess moisture is removed from the wood, producing high-quality firewood that burns hotter and cleaner.

Benefits of kiln-dried firewood

Clean burn

One of the primary benefits of kiln-dried wood is its ability to burn cleanly. The controlled kiln drying process reduces the moisture content to an ideal level, preventing excessive smoke and emissions. As a result, you can enjoy a fire with less smoke and environmental impact.

Subtle aroma

Kiln-dried wood offers a subtle, pleasant aroma when burned. The controlled drying process of different types of wood, like hickory firewood, preserves the natural scents, enhancing your overall fire experience.

Burns evenly

Kiln-dried wood evenly burns, ensuring a consistent and long-lasting fire. Say goodbye to the frustration of wood indoors and constantly tending to your fire to keep it going.

Identifying genuine kiln-dried wood

Now that you’ve explored the advantages of kiln-dried firewood, it’s crucial to know how to identify genuine, high-quality kiln-dried wood from other options in the premier firewood market.

Moisture content

Genuine kiln-dried wood typically has a moisture content of less than 20%. You can use a moisture meter to check the moisture level of the wood before making a purchase.

Appearance

Kiln-dried firewood is often slightly darker compared to unseasoned or air-dried wood. Seasoned wood should feel dry and not emit a damp odour.

Packaging

Reputable firewood suppliers will often package their kiln-dried wood in a way that preserves its quality. Look for wood that’s neatly stacked and protected from the elements.

Supplier reputation

Choose a trusted, eco-friendly and reputable supplier for your kiln-dried firewood. Research customer reviews and ask other customers for recommendations to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product.

Storing kiln-dried firewood

Here are some tips for safely storing your kiln dry used firewood:

Elevate the wood

Place your firewood on pallets or a raised platform to prevent contact with the ground. Wood burns clean when there is no moisture absorption from the soil.

Proper air circulation

Allow air to circulate the stored wood further to reduce the risk of moisture build-up from wet wood. Stacking the wood with gaps between the logs can help with this.

Rotate your stock

Use the ‘first in, first out’ approach to ensure you use older wood before the new batches. This helps maintain the overall quality of wood-burned.

Last words

Investing in genuine kiln-dried firewood is an intelligent choice for anyone who enjoys the warmth and ambiance of a roaring fire. Not only does it make fire pits burn cleanly and efficiently, but it also enhances your fire experience with its subtle aroma. Following the tips, you can confidently identify and store high-quality kiln-dried firewood for your indoor fireplace, outdoor grill or fire pit.

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How to keep your home safe

How to keep your home safe

In the UK, the main risks faced by households include fires and floods.

While we shouldn’t expect the same sort of tropical storms faced across other continents; for instance, Hurricane Nicole in Florida, it’s still important to take steps to stay safe. In the following guide, we’ve outlined some of the ways you can protect your family against unforeseen emergencies.

Know the risks

If you live in an area that you know is prone to flooding, you should be prepared regardless of the season. Store flood defences and sandbags in an easily accessible place in your house or garage, and make sure you check the weather forecast during periods of heavy rain.

Keep an emergency kit

We can never predict disasters, so it’s sensible to keep emergency supplies in your home – just in case. Depending on where you live, an emergency kit might include:

  • Basic first aid supplies and medicines
  • Water (one gallon per day per person)
  • Blankets and warm clothing
  • Head-torch, torches, lanterns and candles
  • Matches and a gas or charcoal stove
  • Tinned or other long-life foodstuffs
  • Solar powered chargers for your electronic devices

Clear exit routes

Ensure that everyone living in the property understands where the fire exit is, especially if you’re living in a flat. Always keep the entrance clear, and check that door closers are working properly.

To keep heated areas properly closed off, it might be worth choosing door closers like these ones from RS. Quality ironmongery is crucial when it comes to fire safety: if your doors can’t close properly, you won’t be safe from heat, smoke and flames.

Get covered

Insurance will prove invaluable in the aftermath of an emergency at home.

It’s imperative to make sure you know what’s covered and what’s not before deciding on your priorities. Choosing the right type of home insurance might initially feel complicated, but it’s usually split into two types:

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance covers the original structure of your home, plus any permanent fittings and fixtures. These might include kitchen units and complete bathroom suites.

Contents insurance

This type of home insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing any lost, damaged or stolen personal possessions in your home.

Install smoke alarms

Unfortunately, serious house fires are quite common. However, you’ll be approximately eight times less likely to die in a fire if you have a fully working smoke alarm in your home. When choosing smoke alarms, you should:

  • Fit at least one on each level or floor of your home
  • Look out for the British Standard Kitemark symbol
  • Buy ten-year sealed battery smoke alarms, if possible

After installing smoke alarms in your home, ensure you test them at least monthly. Furthermore, if any are one-year battery operated, aim to change it every year. Only remove the battery when it needs replacing.

Protect important documents

Lastly, you should always keep your important documents safe. Whether you choose a large lockable safe in your basement or a smaller fireproof box, you must keep your most crucial paperwork – such as passports, birth certificates, house deeds etc – protected against fires, floods and theft.

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Price Points: Chimney sweeping sets

Chimney sweeping sets

Autumn is certainly here; the leaves are changing colour, mushrooms are popping up everywhere and temperatures are beginning to fall.

We’ve left it a bit late in the year to get the chimney sweep in – he’s now booked up for months! Because we skipped a year last year, we really want to get it done this year. We’ve looked into the DIY option – these are some of the chimney sweeping sets that we’ve found on the market.

There are two ways that these brushes work; the traditional way, where the brushes and rods are manoeuvred by the user’s arms, wrists and shoulders. The other way – as in the case of – is by hooking up the apparatus to an electric drill and letting that do most of the work for you.

I absolutely adore the vintage set – just perfect for clearing the chimneys on an old Welsh cottage!

  1. MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m: £55.99, B&Q
  2. Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty: £59.99, eBay
  3. Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods): £155.20, Rodstation

shop chimney sweeping sets

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
£155.20
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
£59.99
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
£55.99
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
£155.20
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
£59.99
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
£55.99
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
£155.20
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
£59.99
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
£55.99
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
£155.20
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
£59.99
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
£55.99
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
Flexible liner flue / chimney sweeping kit (8 Inch medium bristle brush, 10 metre rods)
£155.20
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
Vintage antique chimney sweep brush & rods kit, heavy duty
£59.99
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
MAXBLAST powered chimney sweep – 7m
£55.99

Get their look: Fireside cottage Christmas

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Rachel | thepinkcottage (@thepinkcottageadventure)

I’ve held out for as long as I could! It’s December… I’m coming to terms with the fact that Christmas is just a few weeks away. Everyone’s Instagram squares are full of Christmas crafts & decorations; welcoming wreaths on front doors, advent calenders on the go, tastefully trimmed trees, home-made mince pies, puddings and sloe gin. I’ve just not got my act together this year – nothing has been prepared!

This week’s house is one of the most like our own that we’ve ever featured… we too have garlands of hops hanging from our old beams, we’ve also re-purposed a vintage steamer trunk as a coffee table (and make good use of the storage it affords inside). We have brown leather armchairs, enamel chamber sticks and brass candleholders, wicker baskets and woollen throws…

…and this image is most likely what we’ll be doing on the 25th of December – enjoying a cosy fireside cottage Christmas day.

We’ll be spending this Yuletide ‘à deux’ or ‘à trois’ if you include Barley the Weimaraner. At 4 months old, it will be his very first cottage Christmas, and he’s already discovered that he loves sitting in front of a warming fire!

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Wooden tree ornament
Wooden tree ornament
White Wee Willie Winkie candle holder
White Wee Willie Winkie candle holder
Vintage steamer trunk
Vintage steamer trunk
Singer treadle sewing machine
Singer treadle sewing machine
Tea light houses
Tea light houses
Winter evergreen wreath
Winter evergreen wreath
Dried hops garland
Dried hops garland
Fireview stove
Fireview stove
Wooden tree ornament
Wooden tree ornament
White Wee Willie Winkie candle holder
White Wee Willie Winkie candle holder
Vintage steamer trunk
Vintage steamer trunk
Singer treadle sewing machine
Singer treadle sewing machine
Tea light houses
Tea light houses
Winter evergreen wreath
Winter evergreen wreath
Dried hops garland
Dried hops garland
Fireview stove
Fireview stove