moisture content?

[18 stoner]

I got this one at the beginning of this season, seems fine. Less than £20!

 

Kamasa Mini Moisture Tester - Machine Mart

 

As for accuracy, its best to split the log then test the fresh split surface. You can get a difference of upto 5-10% between logs on the same pile, so if the meter is within 1-2% accurate it will be near enough!

[Dave Martin]

I got this one at the beginning of this season, seems fine. Less than £20!

 

Kamasa Mini Moisture Tester - Machine Mart

 

As for accuracy, its best to split the log then test the fresh split surface. You can get a difference of upto 5-10% between logs on the same pile, so if the meter is within 1-2% accurate it will be near enough!

 

Will get one on Monday.

[woodrascal]

You can get a difference of upto 5-10% between logs on the same pile, so if the meter is within 1-2% accurate it will be near enough!

 

You can get a huge difference % on the same log. Check the ends/middle and the biggest variance is through the bark.

 

Just checked a 2 year dry split oak log 300mm long. Been inside near a stove for 3 days.

 

End grain - 14%

Middle section - 18%

Bark - 24%

 

4 month split Beech log 300mm long. Brought inside for a day.

 

End grain - 24%

Middle section - 29%

Bark - 40% (!)

 

Another thing to watch for with 'prong/pin' type moisture meters is that the further the prongs go in, the higher the % reading. That's the trouble with hard oak or similar. I've seen people selling supposedly 'dry' oak, then touch the end of the log with a moisture meter to show how dry it is and the meter shows 20% or whatever. If you push the prongs properly 'home' the same meter reads over 35%!

 

Unfortunately some dealers are abusing the use of moisture meters. Someone on Ebay for example is selling wood, piled up in a heap and is claiming "The moisture content has been tested and is between 9%-12%."

Absurd...

[18 stoner]

You can get a huge difference % on the same log. Check the ends/middle and the biggest variance is through the bark.

 

Just checked a 2 year dry split oak log 300mm long. Been inside near a stove for 3 days.

 

End grain - 14%

Middle section - 18%

Bark - 24%

 

4 month split Beech log 300mm long. Brought inside for a day.

 

End grain - 24%

Middle section - 29%

Bark - 40% (!)

 

Another thing to watch for with 'prong/pin' type moisture meters is that the further the prongs go in, the higher the % reading. That's the trouble with hard oak or similar. I've seen people selling supposedly 'dry' oak, then touch the end of the log with a moisture meter to show how dry it is and the meter shows 20% or whatever. If you push the prongs properly 'home' the same meter reads over 35%!

 

Unfortunately some dealers are abusing the use of moisture meters. Someone on Ebay for example is selling wood, piled up in a heap and is claiming "The moisture content has been tested and is between 9%-12%."

Absurd...

 

Some very interesting points there woodrascal!

 

I personally would go with a center of log reading every time as its the greatest volume of wood per log, and therefore must be the truest reading.

 

As for the those promoting 9-12%, very sneaky and unrealistic.

 

The point about how hard to push the prongs is also valid. There doesnt seem to be any advice on this in any instructions, although these meters are primarily for testing wood:sneaky2:

[18 stoner]

Another point worth bearing in mind is, generally i have found if you test fresh split logs there is a massive difference between logs, but if its been split a few weeks then re-split to test, the variation is much smaller.

 

This being, say timber thats been stacked for six months then split may be between 20 and 35% moisture. After another couple of months it may be between 18 and 26% moisture.

[Frank]

are the prong type readers supposed to be "inserted" into a drilled hole???? (haha i said "inserted")

[18 stoner]

Not sure fella, not heard of that one:confused1:

 

Perhaps try it on tuesday on Dans pineapple ring

[Rob D]

I'm on my 3rd moisture meter as the first 2 I bought (admittedly not that expensive) seemed to give conflicting readings.

 

Did some research and found Delmhorst seem to be making some of the best meters. Got a couple and they seem to work well - as in consistant readings.