The Pros of Kiln-Dried Logs

Armed with the knowledge on kiln drying and how it handles itself against seasoning, let us add to that the positives that come from using the logs produced through kiln drying. When kiln-dried wood is put side by side with the usually seasoned wood, it seems way more superior. If you remain sceptical of the fact, below is a list of pluses from certainly wood about using kiln-dried logs:

Benefits of of Kiln-Dried Logs

1. It Burns Cleaner

A common complaint among the many, from using the usually seasoned wood, is the fact that it leaves creosote and soot. Creosote, if you don’t familiarize yourself with it, is a sticky substance that is usually deposited by burning wood. After the fire cools down the substance is left stuck inside the fireplace or even your woodstove. When you light your fireplace again when it is there, it can catch fire resulting in a safety hazard. Moreover, creosote has been considered to be a poisonous substance that may cause several health issues when inhaled. It can cause serious effects, especially to those that have respiratory problems.

Kiln-dried logs, compared to seasoned wood, are a safer option as they do not produce creosote during combustion. This is a better investment since it burns cleaner and also because, in the case of families with children or seniors, they are safe from the effects of the creosote substance.

2. It’s Easily Ignited

Consider occasions like camping when it is usually grizzly, cold, and wet, kiln-dried wood can relieve you of this discomfort. You know that to fully enjoy a camping trip, you need wood not only to cook but to also keep you warm.

Kiln-dried wood saves your time, and effort when lighting a fire because it ignites quickly from just a spark. Kiln-dried wood can be a camper’s way to keep everyone in the camp warm because the fire from this wood is quite long-lasting.

3. It Burns For Longer

Typically firewood is not very costly, but using a lot of firewood for only a short while can be. kiln-dried wood can save you money since it will be more economical compared to seasoned wood.

By only lighting a few of these logs they can keep you warm for the rest of the night. This way, the moments spent chatting with your family or even reading a book will not be interrupted by the need to add a few logs to the fireplace. Not only are you able to save money through this but you also play a positive active role in reducing the amount of wood consumed hence the environment is protected.

4. It Does Not Produce Smoke

Imagine those scenarios in movies where stars or heroes put out their campfires to avoid being spotted by the bad guys. Well with kiln-dried logs this would not be necessary. This is because they burn clean, meaning that they do not produce smoke. Other options of wood like seasoned or greenwood do produce smoke.

Greenwood is especially known that when burned can result in pitch-black smoke, which can be very stinging to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Even when seasoned wood does not produce as much or stinging smoke as greenwood, it still produces a degree of it. Kiln-dried wood is still a better and cleaner option compared to the two.

5. It Smells Great

Regardless of whether you enjoy camping or not, the smell that is left behind cannot be ignored. This terrible smell can linger on you for days, on your clothes or hair even after attempts of getting rid of it. This smell usually comes from the wood used to light your campfire.

As noted earlier, seasoned wood and greenwood produce smoke, in which the scent from it can be smelt on clothes, or the food cooked using this wood can have a burnt taste. So why go through all this, when you could use a way better option? Kiln-dried wood does not mess with the food’s taste or even leave an awful smell on your clothes.

6. It Can Be Easily Stored

Traditionally, firewood is stored in an outside shed. This is because the wood can contain pests, as well as bug eggs hence storing it in your house, is not a good option, since it can add to developing an infestation that can be hard to get rid of.

On the flip side, kiln-dried logs are perfectly safe to be stored inside your house. Arrange them in a raised place, keep them on a platform to avoid the logs touching the floor or getting moisture in them.

10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste While Camping

The plastic problem is always a big one and will continue afflicting many parts of the world. Plastics fill our rivers, lands, and even oceans. It is having a great impact on our lives and even affecting marine life.

The single-use of plastic is bad, we should always strive to recycle or avoid them altogether. Unfortunately, when you go camping, you will have very few options. It may not be easy to avoid plastics. Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce plastics consumption.

camping-plastic-wastes

The best camping site will be an off-grid location situated in a remote area. Obviously, you will not have a designated place where to dispose of the plastic bags. Here are 10 ways to reduce plastic waste while camping

1. Pre-Plan Your Trip

If you do not plan in advance, it is easy to get trapped. You will end up picking plastic and paper plates. The results will be creating unnecessary plastic waste. Pre-planning helps you to get organized.

If you are tech-savvy, you may use an app to help you plan. If the campsite has Wi-Fi, it will make things better for you. It will allow you to utilize your phone. Also, plan to shop for groceries in bulk. This way, you will avoid the small plastic container.

Instead, you will have the foods packed in big containers that can be recycled and reused. It reduces the number of plastics you carry to the camping site.

If you will prepare some of the meals at home, pack them in reusable containers. It allows you to easily dispose of some of the plastics you carried from the grocery.

2. Store Food Wisely

You don’t need to pack the food in sandwich bags. Instead, use bowls, food coolers and mess kits. These items can be used to pack food and could be reused multiple times. Using them ensures that you have enough food throughout your camping trip.

Also, it guarantees to keep the camping environment free from plastics. Packing glass and silver cutleries may look cumbersome when going on a camping trip. But, it is the only way to ensure that your camping environment is plastic-free.

So, ensure you shop for enough sporks, and mess kits beforehand. It will help you reduce the plastics you carry to your camping site. Mess kits could be the best option when you go camping. You can use them to store the food and put them to multiple other uses.

However, if you are going to a bear trail, all your items should be bear proof. A traditional storage won’t work. You must use a bear canister to store foods.

However, to keep the foods in good shape in warm weather, you must have the best bear proof coolers from IBC7 Outdoors. Bears are very sensitive to smell. Hence, you must plan wisely.

3. Pick Simple Foods

You will get involved in so many activities while in the camp. So, it requires that you carefully select the dishes to prepare. Thus, picking on simple foods could help to save your time. It greatly reduces the plastics you will need to deal with.

Some of the foods you may consider are:

  • Dehydrated Foods

The foods are easy to pack and require little cooking. Besides, they are nutritious, and you will not need to worry about flavor. If you have challenges in cooking food, they are among the options you may need to consider. For these we actually recommend some pouches that protect from oxygenation like these.

  • Nuts, Trail Mix and Bars

They make an enjoyable camping snack. They are easy to make and can be packed in renewable containers. Packing these foods in mess kits reduces the need to carry unnecessary camping bags.

  • Dried Fruits and Beef Jerky

They contain protein and are the best option if you are looking forward to something to reduce hunger pangs quickly. They are easy to pack in containers and may not require the use of plastic bag.

4. Use Safe Plastic Bags

Buying reusable oversized BPA free plastic containers will reduce the plastic bags and containers to carry. Besides, the BPA free bags can easily be packed transported and reused. They are easy to clean and reused.

5. Rubbish Disposal Point

By organizing a rubbish disposal point, you reduce sending wastes to a landfill. You can do this by setting aside a few specialized vessels to collect plastics and other waste products. If you are camping in a remote location, be proactive if the bin service is not available.

You may sort this out by selecting an ideal place where all the wastes and plastics can be stored. It allows you to organize to dispose of the plastics in a designated area. But as you do this, ensure that it doesn’t lead to an unpleasant odor.

Also, don’t let them overstay to attract flies, rodents, and other unwanted animals. Later, the litter must be collected packed and taken to the nearest collection point. If no such a point exists, take it home.

6. Store Dehydrated Food in Mess Kit

If you buy dehydrated food packed in a paper bag, portion them in the mess kit. This should be done at home to avoid carrying unnecessary plastics to the camping site.

To preserve the food, you will need to boil some water and pour it into the mess kit. The content should then be shut with a lid. It will rehydrate the food and will be ready to be prepared for lunch or dinner.

7. Prepare Trail Snacks

Energy snacks can make great snacks when you are on the trail. But they are always packed in plastic bags which create an eyesore if disposed carelessly.

So, instead of buying snacks that are already packaged in plastic bags, make some at home. They are better compared to the ready-made snacks that come packaged in the sandwich bag.

8. The Bamboo Mess Kit

Having a bamboo mess kit should be encouraged. It reduces the number of plastic bags you are likely to carry to the camp. It is heavier than the mess kit, but it saves you from taking plastics to the camping site.

9. Bring Your Mess Kits

When going to the grocery or your local farmer, make it a habit to carry your own mess kits. Let the vendor pack whatever you buy in the kits.

It helps you to avoid carrying home plastic bags that would be difficult to dispose of. It also reduces plastic waste that you will carry to your camping site.

10. Carry Reusable Items

Having a reusable water bottle is essential. Choose only environmentally friendly bottles. It will save you from the need to buy water bottles that are always laced with microplastics.

reusable-straw

Many manufacturers are replacing plastic drinking straws with titanium.

Consider reusable containers made from stainless steel. They are sustainable and will allow you to enjoy your outdoor adventures. Double-walled stainless-steel bottles are the best. They can keep your drinks either hot or cold.

That aside, carrying reusable conditioners and shampoo when on a camping trip is a great idea. The reusable conditioner bars and shampoos do not contain carcinogenic chemicals.

Also, the conditioner bars and shampoos last for long. It saves the environment from plastics associated with bottle shampoo.

Conclusion

It feels daunting and inconveniencing to limit the number of plastic bags you use during camping trips. But if you remain consistent, it can make a huge difference. It keeps the environment clean and reduces pollution.