How to tell moisture content of wood

[Welderman85]

Hello all I'm getting ready to in a insert in my house. I have been planning this for a few years so I have built up a wood supply. I have a few stacks that are at least two years old and have been covered mostly. Its red maple and ash.with maybe a little apple mixed in. How can I tell if it's ready and good to burn. What's a decent moisture meter to use

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Hello all I'm getting ready to in a insert in my house. I have been planning this for a few years so I have built up a wood supply. I have a few stacks that are at least two years old and have been covered mostly. Its red maple and ash.with maybe a little apple mixed in. How can I tell if it's ready and good to burn. What's a decent moisture meter to use

Amazon product ASIN B00275F5O2
Get a few pieces of wood indoors for 24 hours. Then split them and measure the MC at the split side of the wood (center). Less than 20% will be good enough to burn.

 

[Welderman85]

What's a decent meter to get. Can I get one at home depot

 

[BigJ273]

in my opinion, they all suck. The points break off very easy. I’ve been through two. I won’t buy another.

 

[Simonkenton]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools-Instruments-Digital-Moisture-Meter/3136919

Go buy this one at Lowes. I have had this one for 5 years, it works great.

 

[BigJ273]

That’s the exact one I just broke. It comes with an extra set, but when I took the old ones off, the inner female thread broke off and fell inside.

 

[billb3]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools-Instruments-Digital-Moisture-Meter/3136919

Go buy this one at Lowes. I have had this one for 5 years, it works great.

I have the older version of that model.
Works fine.
If you fresh split a piece of wood you don't have to jam the probes in like you're trying to destroy your ex's heart.

 

[weatherguy]

I've had the one from Lowes a few years now and it's still in good shape. You'd have to really jam it into the wood the break it.

 

[Woody5506]

I use the Dr Meter one from Amazon. I think it was around $20 and it's my 3rd year with it and it seems fine. Pretty sure they will replace the probes if they break, but I really have never come anywhere close to breaking them.

 

[Rob711]

Big j, you really went through 3?! How hard you pushing on them. I have a cheap harbor freight one. I think it works ok.

 

[BigJ273]

Maybe I have some unresolved anger issues I’m taking out on the moisture meter probes.....

 

[BigJ273]

I was able to take it apart and fix it. I’ll try to be more gentle