Trust the moisture meter?

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To meter or not to meter?

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  • meter

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Kosmonauts

Kosmonauts

Member
Jan 15, 2016
220
Pennsylvania
To meter or not to meter? I have most pieces clocking in at 19% which burns fine. However, i have a rack of green ash and black cherry from last yer and the year before. Some of it reads 30% on the moisture meter but is super dry, ends are black, ends are cracking big time, and its all light as can be. Burns absolutely excellent with ZERO hissing and bubbling. I'm wondering at times if my moisture meter cannot be trusted and my human insticts and judgement are a more reliable source. Any thoughts on this matter?
 
I know my meter makes errors but I also know that it is more accurate than I am. If the wood is really light and burns well, go for it. I've had some oak that I thought was OK but metered in the 25 range.
 
I see, yea occasionally I may pick up a heavy split but for the most part everything is light as can be and burns great so I think it's ok. May let it sit another season I have plenty of maple and red oak that tests quite low. I've heard rumors of ash seasoning fast so maybe a few more months even and then give her another test. My meter also is not the fanciest, so I ordered another just to reinforce. Thanks for the feedback!
 
Be aware that if you have a stove with really good draft, you may not want to have a whole load of extra dry wood burning. That leads to overfires in my setup.
 
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Kosmonauts said:
I see, yea occasionally I may pick up a heavy split but for the most part everything is light as can be and burns great so I think it's ok. May let it sit another season I have plenty of maple and red oak that tests quite low. I've heard rumors of ash seasoning fast so maybe a few more months even and then give her another test. My meter also is not the fanciest, so I ordered another just to reinforce. Thanks for the feedback!
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If you have most of your wood 3 years C/S/S, you don't need a meter. It is all good to go. If the faster seasoning stuff like cherry or maple is 2 years C/S/S the same thing applies.
 
DougA said:
Be aware that if you have a stove with really good draft, you may not want to have a whole load of extra dry wood burning. That leads to overfires in my setup.
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I second DougA's post. Dry wood is good. Super dry wood in a stove typically is not. Getting that piece that occasionally just sits and coals up isn't the end of the world. I would rather have that than a run away fire.
 
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