I like the General one. My only comment is that if I burn wood at 15-20% on my meter, its way too wet. Obligatory, yes this is on a freshly split piece at room temperature along the direction of the grain. So I just check for < 15% and go off that.
I mean the cheap moisture meter, which all the suggestions and pictures have been so far, are really only accurate to within -/+5%. So a split with an actual moisture content of 20% could read anywhere between 15% and 25% on the moisture meter. They really aren’t meant for more than a ballpark idea really. Unless you want to spend more on a pro unit that can be calibrated. I tend to like Dennis’ 3 year plan myself. Takes all the guess work out of it.
I haven't said this in quite a while: "The best device for measuring the moisture content of firewood is a multi-year calendar!"
In the most ideal situation, I would always agree. But with limited storage space and timing in regards to selling, RCBS nails it with this-
I have a General. I only bought it to show someone how well seasoned dead standing oak can be. It has come in handy for some firewood I haven't known the history of besides it's mine now. I've also used it to test before painting.
FBM ad, impressive wood yard! the last pic of the ad showed his MM reading: 2.1%! He is not in an arid part of the state. And he makes no mention of a kiln.
Even if he had a kiln, that meter is out totally out to lunch...they don't even kiln dry lumber that low, no point in it, as soon as you take it out equilibrium will take MC back up to 8-10% (or 12...just depends on local/time of year/weather)
Got the same one its great. Only annoying thing is remembering the setting for each species so I taped a cheat sheet to the back.
I have always found it odd that the specie is even of consequence. There are sciences at work that I obviously do not understand. The meters measure conductivity IIRC, how does that change I wonder from specie to specie? I suppose differing wood has differing conductivity...still seems odd to me.
Yeah this seems odd to me to... I don't get it. I might pony up the dough and buy another General moisture meter. I always liked to check right when I split and stacked and then monitor it... as I work my way through my stacks.
I read resin content in different woods can alter readings (ie conduct the electrical signal better/worse) so they have to make different curves to compensate. Good thing for me is all the wood I'm getting is in the A setting. Great idea about the cheat sheet. I may have to steal your idea and put on it just the woods I could get.
Technically Speaking | How Does a Moisture Meter Work? Professional Moisture Meters & Wood Species Calibration geek your heart out on how they work.
Found it. 'A wood species' chemical composition also comes into play for moisture measurements. Wood that has a higher salt content will give higher moisture readings with a pin-type moisture meter as it's more naturally conductive.'
I was at Lowes the other day and saw a Kobalt moisture meter with pins... I'm sure it works just fine and will give a fairly accurate account of ones wood moisture content. True, if I CSS and wait 3 years to use said wood I can be pretty sure it is dry, but I do like to monitor it and have some kind of gauge along the way during that 3 year window.
That’s how I’ve looked at it. Great tool for a general idea of what’s going on with the firewood. Interesting to get a feel for the differing dry times of various species. It’s fun to see the difference in 2 year oak vs. 3 for example. Just another tool in the shed to mess with.
