Have you ever put a couple of perfectly dry looking splits on the fire, only to see moisture coming out the ends of perfectly "seasoned" wood? Did you re-split and use a moisture meter and find the wood is at 20% MC, but still won't burn right in your EPA stove? Are they blackened and cracked at the ends, feel light in the hand, and issue a bright sound rather than a dull thud when struck together, but still just sizzle and hiss when you place them on the coals? Well, suffer no more. Introducing, new Last Wordâ„¢ moisture content indicators... the "last word" in firewood moisture detection.
After working on this project for nearly seven years, we've finally perfected a foolproof moisture content detection devise. Based on the same principles used in "pop-up" poultry timers, we have recently found a way to make these things work by detecting moisture in firewood rather than temperature. A hygroscopic crystalline substance fills the plunger chamber and holds the plunger firmly in place. As the wood dries, the water is slowly removed from the filler, allowing it to shrink. At precisely 20% MC, the filler has shrunken enough for the spring to pop the plunger out. Bing! Wood is done, dude.
Installation couldn't be any easier. As each piece comes off the splitter, just carry it inside and drill a 1/8" hole at 90º to the end cut. A drill press is very helpful in getting this hole at the correct angle. Then, using the special setting tool that comes with the kit, place the detector tip into the hole, put the setting tool on the top flange of the indicator, and give 8-10 firm taps with a hammer. Carry it back outside, place it on the stack, and then on to the next one. What could be easier?
As drying proceeds, you will see the Last Wordâ„¢ indicators starting to pop here and there. When they are about 50% popped up, go through the stacks and separate the done pieces from the ones that need more time. Then remove the indicators from the done pieces and re-stack under cover to maintain the quality of the firewood. And don't forget to save those indicators - they can be reused up to three times using our proprietary filler compounds and our handy refilling tool kit.
We expect to come to market with these by the spring cutting season.* Estimated cost will be $300/1000, but if you pre-pay now, we will include a free case of our PowerPine firestarters with your order. So, why be in doubt about the quality of your firewood? Stop splitting and re-splitting those splits and toss out that unreliable moisture meter - have the last word on firewood quality with our new Last Wordâ„¢ moisture indicators.
*At the present, we only have indicators that pop up precisely at 20%, but we are currently working furiously on developing different filler compositions for different desired moisture contents. So, if you really believe "the drier the wood, the better the burn", we soon hope to have Last Word indicators in 15%, 10%, 5%, and for the guy or gal who just isn't satisfied with mere "Bowels Of Hell" secondaries, we will have the "Sahara" version, which will only pop up when the moisture content drops below 1% MC.
After working on this project for nearly seven years, we've finally perfected a foolproof moisture content detection devise. Based on the same principles used in "pop-up" poultry timers, we have recently found a way to make these things work by detecting moisture in firewood rather than temperature. A hygroscopic crystalline substance fills the plunger chamber and holds the plunger firmly in place. As the wood dries, the water is slowly removed from the filler, allowing it to shrink. At precisely 20% MC, the filler has shrunken enough for the spring to pop the plunger out. Bing! Wood is done, dude.
Installation couldn't be any easier. As each piece comes off the splitter, just carry it inside and drill a 1/8" hole at 90º to the end cut. A drill press is very helpful in getting this hole at the correct angle. Then, using the special setting tool that comes with the kit, place the detector tip into the hole, put the setting tool on the top flange of the indicator, and give 8-10 firm taps with a hammer. Carry it back outside, place it on the stack, and then on to the next one. What could be easier?
As drying proceeds, you will see the Last Wordâ„¢ indicators starting to pop here and there. When they are about 50% popped up, go through the stacks and separate the done pieces from the ones that need more time. Then remove the indicators from the done pieces and re-stack under cover to maintain the quality of the firewood. And don't forget to save those indicators - they can be reused up to three times using our proprietary filler compounds and our handy refilling tool kit.
We expect to come to market with these by the spring cutting season.* Estimated cost will be $300/1000, but if you pre-pay now, we will include a free case of our PowerPine firestarters with your order. So, why be in doubt about the quality of your firewood? Stop splitting and re-splitting those splits and toss out that unreliable moisture meter - have the last word on firewood quality with our new Last Wordâ„¢ moisture indicators.
*At the present, we only have indicators that pop up precisely at 20%, but we are currently working furiously on developing different filler compositions for different desired moisture contents. So, if you really believe "the drier the wood, the better the burn", we soon hope to have Last Word indicators in 15%, 10%, 5%, and for the guy or gal who just isn't satisfied with mere "Bowels Of Hell" secondaries, we will have the "Sahara" version, which will only pop up when the moisture content drops below 1% MC.
I recycle when I can.
