Played with my moisture meter today

Most of the wood in my shed has aged about 2 years so I knew it was fairly dry. An ash split was around 17% and a maple split was around 14%. No idea how accurate my meter is but I knew from the sound of them that they were dry.
Now what surprised me was a cherry split that I tested. It has about an extra year seasoning on it vs the other 2 but it came in at 9%! I didn't think we could get that low a figure in this area with the humidity most of the year. It will be interesting to see what the older wood will come in at mid summer as I expect to still have plenty of 3+ yr wood remaining in the shed after this heating season is done.
Yes, the wood measured were fresh splits.

That's too dry. It'll burn too fast.
Don't use it.
I call a do over.

Yeah, that's bogus. Can't be that low. Must have been baking in the sun. I call shenanigans.

Extra kiln-dried...

Well, the shed's open side does get full southern exposure...but that cherry split was so far back in and up high that I doubt it got much UV radiation

Was wood tested cold?

My meter reads about 4% lower when cold checked

Bob, we had some that was measured at 8%. So much for the idea wood can't get below the average humidity in the area.

Yeah, I was playing around with mine too on Thursday. Measured some fresh splits of red oak and locust that was split and stacked in September 2011. Came back at 27% and 33% respectively. Split them real small because that it what I need to use to get me through the rest of this heating season. What a PITA. Going to split even more on Tuesday since they are calling for 5" of snow on Wednesday.

Yep, the wood was cold...so was the ice cube

It'll be interesting to see what those same splits read when warmed up. Maybe take 'em in the house, let 'em acclimate for a day or so and re-read them........

OK. I never gave the ambient temps a second thought. After they warm up I'll measure the split, after a resplit of course.

How long have you been seasoning that ice cube? Because I think it's ready to burn!

Where is everyone getting their moisture meters from?

What to look for and what to stay away from?

How much $?

I think if I would have stacked correctly and covered the cube it may have come in at 10%


My MM was just a cheapie from Amazon. I'm sure it's not real accurate but it does get you in the ballpark.

Paid $20 for my moisture meter from Amazon. It is grey and orange instead of grey and blue. lol Same deal though. I doubt it is accurate as can be, but +/- 1% is plenty good for me.

Well, I'm not sure about the theory on cold wood measuring lower on the MM. Took a split indoors 2 days ago, placed it in the most humid room we have at this time of year(lots of plants) and stuck the meter into it last night...about the same reading. If I remember to I will look for another piece of cherry from the same stack in mid summer(gets very humid here) and try again.