Moisture meter accuracy.

[Mark Bolam]

I recently bought a very cheap Stihl moisture meter.

 

It is good at comparing timber, but the figures seem a bit crazy.

 

Eg. a wooden shelf in a shed might come up as 11%, a freshly felled Euc ring 55% when split and tested in the middle.

 

The thing is, the deeper you press the metal prongs into the timber, the higher the reading. Some seasoned oak I have is reading 17% with the prongs just touching but 34% with them sunk in a couple of mm.

 

A bucket of water says 50%!

 

Any tips for accurate usage, or is it just cheap shite?

[swinny]

Good meters

 

Shove prongs in properly... 2-3mm

[gensetsteve]

More often not the poor readings indicated are confirmed by poor burning. Make sure the batteries are good or the readings go way off. I found the stihl meter says wood is dryer than it is. Oak is a pig and can take years to dry I am sure you have found that in the past. I think the stihl meter is ok.

[Mark Bolam]

Even if the readings aren't that accurate, it has helped me confirm that 'seasoned cord' is a bit of a Unicorn!

 

It is surprising how quick the mc comes down once green timber is split and stored inside.

 

I enjoy logging in the winter, but I really need to get to a point where I spend winter processing stuff for the following winter.

[predator]

i have 2 so i can compare etc but as time goes by experiance will take the place of the meter & dont want that to come across as a brag but you,ll know when the woods dry enough cracks weight time etc etc i think sometimes this wood malarky gets very confusing you will know if or when its ready by its looks and cracks on the ends etc i was also told once you can tell by sound too by clonking two pieces together also never tried that one though

[Mark Bolam]

Haha, I've been selling logs for years, I just wondered what the numbers actually were.

I tend to just resupply the same customers year on year, but I'm interested in logging more softwood a d want to see how it compares at different stages of seasoning.

[woodyguy]

Cheap ones like the Stihla are less accurate than picking it up and saying, that feels light!

I tested my cheap one against drying to zero and it was totally useless.

A good one however can be within a few percent.

You pays your money....

[gensetsteve]

I found even the cheapest meter better than guessing. I have had wood that I swore was bone dry burn badly on my stove then confirmed by meter its 30%. I found even different trees of the same species take different times to season could be time of year or next to river etc. Oak and Ash are the worst. Beech 3 weeks in the sun and its 20%

[farmer rod]

I recently bought a very cheap Stihl moisture meter.

 

It is good at comparing timber, but the figures seem a bit crazy.

 

Eg. a wooden shelf in a shed might come up as 11%, a freshly felled Euc ring 55% when split and tested in the middle.

 

The thing is, the deeper you press the metal prongs into the timber, the higher the reading. Some seasoned oak I have is reading 17% with the prongs just touching but 34% with them sunk in a couple of mm.

 

A bucket of water says 50%!

 

Any tips for accurate usage, or is it just cheap shite?

 

my tip is DON'T DRINK THE WATER

 

I havent got a meter but if I want to know I weigh a log then stick it in the oven, it creates a nice smell, and after a couple of days you can weigh it again and work out the %

[rovers90]

I've got one from Clas Ohlson which looks the same as the Stihl one and cost £20. When compared to my mates which cost £250 and you dial in the species of timber,etc, there is only a few percent difference. And as Steve says, watch the batteries - change them as soon as warning sign appears as it reads way high when batteries are low.