Moisture Meter Newbie

My youngest got me a meter for Fathers Day. Very cool and sweet.

I grabbed a piece from what will be first in the 23/24 season, oak below. And looks like a blowdown harvest.





Then grabbed a piece from the upcoming 22/23 season, maple below.




Both are measures from fresh split faces. I think the numbers are good.

My question is when should I take the reading. I’m inclined to say almost immediately.
And the reason I ask is that the longer in held the meter in the wood, the lower the number got.
Or should I hold it and expect it to find a final value?

 

I take it right away.

 

Nice!
Take it right away...and the wood should be somewhat close to room temp.

 

I try to push the pins in as far as I reasonably can.

 

Handy gadget for a burner/hoarder. I check right away. Be careful of the point as real hard wood will bend them. Ask me how i know this and yes it was dead BL.

 

My moisture meter has a pad mode. I find it to be more reliable than the pins.

 

M2theB If wood is to be below 20%, which range do you use with that meter to determine it is dry enough to burn?

 

Use the percentage. If I’m reading your question correctly that MM is geared towards construction and lumber. The lights are just quick reference guides not separate modes.

 

You should use the highest percentage possible. So yeah, earlier the better. So if it reads 21% at first but then it goes to 17%.......I would use the 21%. I.e. be conservative, not optimistic.

And those splits look old. You split the split in half and measured the inside yah? How long has that been seasoning? Must be a while.

 

I have the exact same meter. Be careful on the initial press. You can bend those pins easily. And then you have to replace them. Ask me how I know this. And ask me where my replacement pins are and I'll tell you I have no friggin idea.

 

Exactly all of this. I’ll add that I just bought another set of replacement pins and I already don’t know where they are.

 

Nice gift. It works well.
It has 2 modes, 1 for construction lumber, 1 for firewood.
We have the same meter.

 

I have the same meter, at least one pin has a slight bent tip, I still shove it in the wood. Not sure what mode I've been operating it in though now that T.Jeff Veal says it has 2.....

 

LMFAO. Yes sir. Great minds think alike.....and I can't find **** either.

 

I stand corrected. Serves me right for assuming they were “dummy lights” LOL

 

Get on the 3 year plan and don't worry about a meter. I've always said: "The best device for measuring the moisture content of firewood is a multi-year calendar."

 

you know what they say about assume?

 

a s s .. u .. me

 

There’s a valid reason I used that specific word.

 

OH! and i assumed you sere serious!