Moisture meter

[pembswoodrecycling]

Simple question, until now I have always been quite thorough in the way I dry wood, months under cover etc. This year I need to up the throughput a bit. Want a moisture meter to see how soon I can send wood out - what should I buy?

Do the £15 ones on the 'bay actually work?

[RobRainford]

I got an eBay one for about £25. Works fine. Got nothing to compare it against but on dry wood gives low readings and fresh wood higher ones. Seems fine for me

[Billybonfire]

I got a Stihl one off amazon, seems pretty good.

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moisture-Digital-Tester-Detector-Timber/dp/B004NQ0RL4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344947265&sr=8-2]Stihl Wood Moisture Meter Digital Damp Meter Tester Detector Wood Timber Moisture: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools[/ame]

[Stumpgo]

Machine Mart sell the Stihl one for a similar price, only in green and branded as Kamasa. Seems to work fine.

[pembswoodrecycling]

Thanks guys, the stihl one is in eBay as well, I figured I couldn't go too far wrong with that brand. I might just order one this afternoon...

[davetaz]

When using a moisture meter, I select a number of logs at random (when first split), take readings on each one (both ends) and write down the date and MC on the end of the log and then put them back on the pile/stack. I check them every few weeks and write note the MC levels on the log.

This gives a good indication how well they are seasoning.

Every now and then split one in half and take readings from the centre - it can be surprising how long it takes for lumps of hardwood to get down to 25% MC in the middle!

[pembswoodrecycling]

It's coming tomorrow, that's me busy until the weekend!

[rovers90]

When using it, you should not take readings from the end of the log. The correct method is to split the log and take a reading from the fresh cut face.