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  1. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    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.
    #1

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    Scotty Overkill and fireview2788 like this.
  2. PapaDave Minister of Fire

    That's too dry. It'll burn too fast.
    Don't use it.
    I call a do over.:p
  3. Woody Stover Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 25, 2010
    3,387 posts
    Southern IN
    Yeah, that's bogus. Can't be that low. Must have been baking in the sun. I call shenanigans. ==c
    Ralphie Boy likes this.
  4. Blue2ndaries Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 17, 2011
    604 posts
    Oregon
    Extra kiln-dried...;)
  5. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    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 ;)
  6. coaly Fisher Moderator

    joined: Dec 22, 2007
    1,028 posts
    NE PA
    Back in the pile where it's frozen?? Better test an ice cube to see if it's 9%. Just curious.
    Woody Stover likes this.
  7. Jack Fate Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jan 17, 2013
    268 posts
    Northwest Ohio
    Was wood tested cold?

    My meter reads about 4% lower when cold checked
    Seanm likes this.
  8. Backwoods Savage Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 14, 2007
    24,148 posts
    Michigan
    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.
  9. fabsroman Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 1, 2011
    942 posts
    West Friendship, Maryland
    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.
  10. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    Yep, the wood was cold...so was the ice cube :)

    Attached Files:

    Scotty Overkill and HDRock like this.
  11. Scotty Overkill firewood hoarder

    joined: Sep 24, 2011
    6,814 posts
    central PA
    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........
  12. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    OK. I never gave the ambient temps a second thought. After they warm up I'll measure the split, after a resplit of course.
    Scotty Overkill likes this.
  13. Lumber-Jack Minister of Fire

    How long have you been seasoning that ice cube? Because I think it's ready to burn! ;)
    [IMG]
    NortheastAl and Scotty Overkill like this.
  14. Bret Hart New Member

    joined: Oct 23, 2012
    76 posts
    Canastota NY
    Where is everyone getting their moisture meters from?

    What to look for and what to stay away from?

    How much $?
  15. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    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.
  16. fabsroman Minister of Fire

    joined: Jun 1, 2011
    942 posts
    West Friendship, Maryland
    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.
  17. muncybob Minister of Fire

    joined: Apr 8, 2008
    1,788 posts
    Near Williamsport, PA
    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.
    gyrfalcon likes this.

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