How dry can seasoned logs get?

[MikeM]

A large advertisement for a company selling kiln dried (and presumably imported) hardwood appears on the front page of my local paper this week. It claims “our logs are dried to around 10%-15% moisture. Even the most seasoned logs still contain around 30% moisture. The advert then goes on about the product’s virtues in terms of being kind to the environment. Not something I particularly associate with imported logs.

 

Went to my store, pulled out the first log I came to from the pile I cut two years ago and split last year, split it again, stuck in the moisture meter and got a reading of 19.2%. Either I’m defying science, my meter is bust, or this lot are putting out misleading advertisements.

 

Can anyone enlighten me on the facts about how dry logs seasoned in say the North East of England can get, or point me in the direction of some hard evidence? I’m not a commercial log producer, but I don’t like people being mislead and I’m tempted to bring this advertisement to the attention of the ASA.

[Logsnstuff]

I tested some of mine in august and was getting 9%-13% now they are back up to 18-21%

[Woodworks]

Most of ours are around 17% and won't go lower during a Dartmoor winter. Sounds like the add in you local rag is telling untruths

 

This table was posted on her a while back Wood Equilibrium Moisture Content Calculator from Wood Workers Source.com Just look at the external RH and tempertures to find out what can be done.

[White Noise]

I tested some of mine in august and was getting 9%-13% now they are back up to 18-21%

 

Thats Interesting as I tested my logs in late sept and most were averaging 19 / 20 % . Going to test them again see what they come in at

[Ben1]

Roughly the same as logsnstuff 10%-15% end of the summer 18%-20% this week. stored in crates in a barn.

[s.varty]

All depends on the moisture content in the atmosphere where you keep your logs.

[Stubby]

Tested a log that had been in the log basket indoors left from last winter and read at 5% . Just pushed the prongs in hard but did not split it again . Bit of eucalyptus it was .

[s.varty]

Tested a log that had been in the log basket indoors left from last winter and read at 5% . Just pushed the prongs in hard but did not split it again . Bit of eucalyptus it was .

 

Now try it on some wooden furniture stubby, bet its the same.

[Hodge]

A large advertisement for a company selling kiln dried (and presumably imported) hardwood appears on the front page of my local paper this week. It claims “our logs are dried to around 10%-15% moisture. Even the most seasoned logs still contain around 30% moisture. The advert then goes on about the product’s virtues in terms of being kind to the environment. Not something I particularly associate with imported logs.

 

 

 

Went to my store, pulled out the first log I came to from the pile I cut two years ago and split last year, split it again, stuck in the moisture meter and got a reading of 19.2%. Either I’m defying science, my meter is bust, or this lot are putting out misleading advertisements.

 

 

 

Can anyone enlighten me on the facts about how dry logs seasoned in say the North East of England can get, or point me in the direction of some hard evidence? I’m not a commercial log producer, but I don’t like people being mislead and I’m tempted to bring this advertisement to the attention of the ASA.

 

 

Get over it mate, logs are a more hassle than they are worth really, I'm getting to the point where I will pack in doing them soon. If they are dry and seasoned they will burn. To many people getting anal about logs. Let them crack on and I'll do my thing!

[renewablejohn]

We guarantee our solar kiln dry logs are below 20% moisture with normal range 15-20% over the winter during summer it will be less but then I dont normally sell many logs in the summer cant think why.

Would be tempted to report to trading standards but I doubt they would do anything due to cutbacks.