Played with my moisture meter today

[muncybob]

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.

 

[PapaDave]

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

 

[Woody Stover]

I call a do over.

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

 

[Blue2ndaries]

Extra kiln-dried...

 

[muncybob]

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

 

[coaly]

Back in the pile where it's frozen?? Better test an ice cube to see if it's 9%. Just curious.

 

[Jack Fate]

Was wood tested cold?

My meter reads about 4% lower when cold checked

 

[Backwoods Savage]

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.

 

[fabsroman]

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.

 

[muncybob]

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

 

[ScotO]

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........

 

[muncybob]

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.

 

[Lumber-Jack]

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

 

[Bret Hart]

Where is everyone getting their moisture meters from?

What to look for and what to stay away from?

How much $?

 

[muncybob]

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

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.

 

[fabsroman]

Where is everyone getting their moisture meters from?

What to look for and what to stay away from?

How much $?

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.

 

[muncybob]

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.