Kiln Operation at WOODWEB's Knowledge Base

Try our Knowledge Base Micro-Search: enter a keyword (or phrase) in the search box below, and the Micro-Search will produce results from the article list on this page.

Power Vent Systems on a Dehumidifier Kiln

Comments on the practicality of automatic powered vent louvers on a dehumidifier kiln. March 31, 2008

Drying Siberian Elm Slabs

Prone to warpage and bug damage, Siberian Elm is tricky wood to dry. March 31, 2008

Kiln-Drying Associations -- Contact Info

Here's address, website, and contact information on several regional kiln-drying industry associations. March 30, 2008

Sizing Up Dehumidifier Kilns

Thoughts on the objective characteristics to consider when evaluating which dehumidifier kiln is right for you. April 11, 2008

Wood Moisture Content and Equalization

Understanding how to evaluate wood moisture content when conditions have created a moisture gradient within the wood. April 11, 2008

Techniques for Equalizing and Conditioning Lumber

The Wood Doctor explains how to complete the final two steps in the primary processing uh, process. 1998.

Solar Kiln Designs 4 -- Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 4

Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 4 - an in depth article by Gene Wengert and Luiz Carlos Oliveira

Drying lumber - selecting the best method

Is a solar kiln the best choice for this startup sawmill? December 17, 2003

Sawdust as fuel

Building a sawdust-fired boiler to heat kiln and shop. November 18, 2002

Solar Kiln Designs 2 -- Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 2

Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 2 - an in depth article by Gene Wengert and Luiz Carlos Oliveira

Causes and Cures for Stains In Dried Lumber

How to avoid various types of staining in kiln-dried lumber. 1998.

Electronic RH sensors

Can electronic relative humidity sensors stand up to the elements in dry kilns? May 2, 2001

Radio frequency -- vs. super steam vacuum

A discussion of these two kilns for drying large timbers. February 19, 2002

Brainstorming About Vacuum Kilns

Inquiring minds discuss why vacuum kilns are so expensive, how they work, and the possibilities of building your own — or even improving on the concept. July 30, 2007

Solar Kiln Designs 3 -- Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 3

Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 3 - an in depth article by Gene Wengert and Luiz Carlos Oliveira

Wood and Water

An excerpt from Gene Wengert's book, "Drying Oak Lumber." May 31, 2001

Solar Kiln Designs 1 -- Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 1

Solar Heated, Lumber Dry Kiln Designs - Part 1 - an in depth article by Gene Wengert and Luiz Carlos Oliveira

Processing trees to lumber -- for the hobbyist

A primer on sawing and drying lumber for projects at home. March 13, 2001

Eliminating Wood Problems -- An Industry Review: 10 Ways of Eliminating Wood Problems

Gene Wengert explains why eliminating wood problems begins and ends with monitoring and controlling the moisture content (MC) in wood -March 18, 2000

Processing Trees to Lumber -- for the Hobbyist and Small Business

Two experts share their secrets of success for small-scale milling operations. January 19, 2002

Alternative lumber drying techniques

Are freeze drying and RFV practical methods for drying lumber? April 25, 2001

Woodworking 101: The Basics

and shows how it can affect various production operations. 1998.

A Small Kiln for Final Drying

A woodworker needs to get his already kiln-dried stock down to lower moisture content to match indoor end-use conditions. Here's detailed advice for equipment choice and drying methods for a small-batch wood-shop drying chamber. May 9, 2007

Dehumidifier Kiln Advice

Detailed conversation about building, equipping, and operating a dehumidifier kiln to dry lumber. September 10, 2007

Troubleshooting vacuum kiln problems

An extensive discussion on vacuum pumps and vaporization of organic compounds in wood. February 28, 2001

Measuring/Monitoring Moisture Levels

The hows and whys of monitoring moisture content in lumber. 1998.

Vacuum kiln drying

How do vacuum kilns work and how effective are they? (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) January 21, 2003

Electric Moisture Meters

A guide for using portable electric moisture meters on lumber. May 3, 2001

Warp in Drying

Causes and cures for warpage when drying lumber. May 4, 2001

Kiln drying for higher profit

Expanding a molding business to include kiln drying poplar. November 18, 2002

Advantages of vacuum drying

What does this leading-edge technology have to offer? April 9, 2003

Kiln Drying Large Timbers

An extended discussion of the technical issues involved in drying big beams for various uses. July 28, 2006

Dry kiln operator's manual

The modern dry kiln is a unique product of research, development, and experience. It is the only practical means now in wide use for rapid, high- volume drying of lumber to conditions necessary for maximum serviceability in housing, furniture, millwork, and many other wood products. As part of our c ......

Home DH for drying lumber

Home dehumidifiers versus bought kilns for drying wood. September 2, 2002

Dry lumber kiln -- buying your first

Business and technical considerations when getting started in kiln drying. March 19, 2001

Drying rough-sawn timbers

A large outdoor project raises questions about drying large, rough-sawn timbers for long-term use. June 20, 2000

Setting Pitch in Douglas Fir

Temperature and time for setting pitch. February 28, 2004

Home-made house materials

Advice on sawing out the lumber to build your own house. February 28, 2001

Pre-Surfacing Lumber Before Drying

Planed green lumber dries with significantly less checking. March 3, 2006

Aging yellow cedar

Attaining the look of naturally aged yellow cedar. September 2, 2002

Solar kiln glazing

Best material choices for a double layer of glaze. April 9, 2003

Moisture content oven tests

Microwave ovens versus drying ovens for MC testing. October 30, 2002

Drying cedar slabs -- and stepping up sawmill production

Effective drying and basic sawing with a scragg mill. September 2, 2002

Solar kilns - putting it all together

Compiling and analyzing information on the efficient design and construction of a solar kiln. November 22, 2003

Temperature, Humidity, and Drying

Some generic head-scratching over relative humidity and the heat required to dry wood under various conditions. April 10, 2007

Causes and cures for sticker stain

The Wood Doctor weighs in with comprehensive information about the causes and prevention of sticker stain. 1998.

Air-Drying Versus Kiln-Drying for High-Value Wood

Done right, kiln-drying gives you better control over quality. June 9, 2007

Drying burly slabs

Keeping oak slabs from cracking. January 16, 2002

Mobile Wood-Burning Kiln

Is a wood-fired, movable lumber drying kiln feasible? Here are some ideas. July 13, 2006

I've Got that Shrinking Feeling

Specific information on lumber shrinkage during the drying process. Includes 'typical shrinkage' tables for red and white oak. 1998.

Conditioning: Relieving those stresses

Try these solutions to a stress-free wood inventory. November 29, 2002

Vacuum Kilns - Pros and Cons

Testimony from operators who have used vacuum kilns. May 11, 2005

Drying Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a fussy wood to air-dry or kiln-dry. Here are some clues about its character. October 14, 2006

Drying Ash Flooring

Kiln-drying is essential to kill bugs and achieve the proper low moisture content for stability in service. May 11, 2005

Automatic vents for solar kiln

Can vents be left open at night or must they be controlled? (Sawing and Drying Forum) April 29, 2003

Is it Worth Kiln-Drying Firewood?

Considering the cost of kiln construction and energy inputs versus the value of extra-dry firewood, it's hard to see how the dollars make sense. January 27, 2008

Using Outdoor Cold for Drying Dehumidification

Unlike a powered dehumidifier, a cold kiln wall dumps heat to the outdoors, and so expends energy just as venting does. Here's a long discussion of alternatives to heat for kiln drying, and why they're mostly not practical. April 10, 2007

Air-drying oak

Can a suitable MC for cabinet construction be reached? February 6, 2002

Logging Equipment

Essential equipment for a small-scale logging operation. April 25, 2001

Drying wood in a tent

Recommendations on how to use the sun's rays and a plastic tent to dry lumber. November 7, 2001

"Safe Drying Rate" and a Dehumidifier Kiln

A discussion of how to apply "safe drying rate" calibrations with a home-built dehumidifying kiln. January 27, 2007

Preventing Insect Infestation in Lumber Production

Pesticides have limited usefulness and significant hazards. Good yard hygeine and application of heat are the more practical choices. February 14, 2006

Converting A Shipping Container to a Drying Kiln

Design, construction, and operation info from folks who've done it. February 26, 2005

Over-Drying and Wood Quality

Kiln operators discuss what happens to lumber when you overshoot your moisture content target. February 14, 2006

Water and Wood

Some options for measuring moisture in lumber during the kiln-drying process. 1998.

Cupping of newly cut lumber

Why would all the lumber in one kiln load cup toward the sapwood? January 16, 2002

Pros and Cons of Sawing Your Own

A solo cabinetmaker wonders if he should mill his own lumber on the side. March 14, 2005

Double-Checking Moisture Content

You can check your moisture meter by drying wood samples and weighing them, but the method has its own uncertainties and imprecisions. August 29, 2006

Dehumidification Kiln Conditioning Without Steam

Techniques and equipment for producing a balanced environment inside your kiln. May 11, 2005

Stickers and sticker shadow

A discussion on synthetic and traditional stickers, and an explanation of reverse sticker shadow. May 30, 2001

Mesquite Lore

Texas woodworkers share their knowledge of Mesquite wood. August 21, 2006

The Importance of Air Velocity in Drying

How air speed through the kiln affects lumber seasoning. July 20, 2002

Calculating airflow in a kiln

Quantifying airflow through lumber stacks. April 2, 2002

Air-Drying Time and the Need for Conditioning

If you air-dry lumber for long enough, it won't experience drying stress in the kiln; but you do risk lumber degrade. July 30, 2007

Vacuum kilns

Choosing between a vacuum and dehumidification kiln. July 24, 2001

Rates for sawmilling/kiln-drying

Sawyers post their individual rates for sawmill and kiln-drying services. June 27, 2000

Drying rates for hardwood lumber -- How fast can you dry?

Facts and stats for time-sensitive drying that will produce quality lumber. November 29, 2002

Dead Standing Douglas Fir: Is It Dry Already?

A discussion about the useability of wood from dead standing tree logs without further drying, and a little bit of kiln-related history. April 27, 2007

Hard Maple for Baseball Bats

Info about sawing, drying, and grading maple bat billets. October 2, 2005

Hardwood Lumber Kiln Schedules

Dr. Gene Wengert provides schedules for kiln drying hardwood lumber. 1998.

Red oak drying problems

Troubleshooting a problem of varying moisture contents in loads of kiln-dried red oak. March 20, 2001

Drying Rewetted Kiln-Dried Lumber

How to render kiln-dried lumber, which has been rewetted due to flooding or excessive humidity, useful once again. 1998.

Size effect on shrinkage

Are traditional shrinkage values applicable to drying large cants? May 9, 2001

Sawdust on stacked wood

Should sawdust be cleaned off before stacking and drying? October 15, 2001

Holly Staining: Fungus or Pigment?

Holly stains if it's not dried quickly and properly. But what's the real cause? A scientist weighs in on samples collected by a sawyer. July 12, 2005

Powderpost beetles in hardwood beams

Is there any way to get rid of powderpost beetles riddling oak beams with holes? November 7, 2001

Moisture variance in red oak

Basic drying procedures and a discussion of bacteria in red oak. February 13, 2001

Dehumidification drying of thin stock

Simple drying methods for small, thin stock. (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

Running a Solar Kiln

Advice from old hands on operating a solar kiln. August 22, 2005

Is Your Meter Running?

The value of the moisture meter when drying of oak lumber. 1998.

Selecting Fans for a Solar Kiln

Advice on picking fans that will move the right amount of air and not fail from overheating. February 8, 2008

Promoting blue stain

How to promote this visual effect in a stack of red pine. March 21, 2002

Kiln-Drying Reclaimed Heart Pine

A few simple tips for a new kiln operator. October 2, 2005

Treating Air-Dried Wood with Pesticides

Surface-applied pesticides may be dangerous or even illegal, and will probably do no good. Instead, heat-treat wood to kill bugs. February 14, 2006

Should Hardwood be Air-Dried Before Kiln-Drying?

A discussion on the best drying schedule for maple, white ash, black ash, beech, cherry, and birch. December 1, 2005

Comparing moisture meters

An assessment of the performance of pin and pinless moisture meters made by major manufacturers. July 11, 2000

Sawing and drying mesquite

Dealing with many-trunked mesquite trees. February 6, 2002

Dump Cycle Kiln Drying

A discussion of the value of periodic high-volume venting during the kiln-drying process. July 13, 2006

Drying Wood in a Shipping-Container Kiln

Insights on using a dehumidifier kiln built from a shipping container. December 11, 2007

Digital hygrometers

Kiln operators discuss options for measuring conditions in their lumber drying and storage facilities. July 26, 2000

How did our forebears dry lumber?

How lumber was dried for furniture construction prior to the introduction of kiln drying. November 21, 2000

Rx For Planer Splits

The five main causes for splits in lumber during roughmill planing. 1998.

Drying wood for musical instruments

A primer on various lumber drying techniques as they relate to musical instrument construction. 1998.

Humidity Control in a Kiln

A kiln operator gets advice on airflow and humidity settings. April 27, 2007

Selecting a Moisture Meter

A discussion of desirable attributes for a moisture meter used for kiln-drying quality control. June 30, 2007

Ideas for weighting stickered lumber

Options for applying weight to stickered, drying lumber are offered. August 10, 2000

Fiber saturation point: not an issue

Why the fiber saturation point is not a critical element in proper kiln drying practice. September 26, 2000

Producing Drying Defects on Purpose

A client requests surface checks in his kiln charge of white oak. Should the operator oblige? May 11, 2005

Determining MC by weight

Tools and techniques for measuring moisture content by weighing lumber cuttings. January 4, 2001

Drying Walnut Crotch Slabs

A light coat of sealant? Or a slow, careful spell in the kiln? February 26, 2005

Beetle Troubles

Tips on dealing with lyctid (powderpost) beetles and the less troublesome anobiid beetle. April 27, 2007

Adding Supplemental Heat to a Solar Kiln

Extra heat for a solar kiln could help in some circumstances, but hurt in others. February 12, 2007

Understanding Drying Stress in Wood

A complaint about cupping in mahogany door stiles after machining leads to a discussion of what causes drying stress and related movement in kiln-dried wood. June 23, 2006

A Small Solar Kiln

Report and photos of a small, just-finished solar kiln. November 8, 2007

DH Kiln Drying

References for DH kiln drying instruction

Planer is tearing-out -- on white oak, but not red

What could be the culprit when a planer is tearing out on one type of oak, but not another? June 14, 2000

Is Dehumidifier Kiln Wastewater Safe?

Don't assume that it's safe to dump kiln water to the environment. There could be some contamination. March 10, 2008

Home-built solar kiln

Fully illustrated details of a solar dry kiln. May 5, 2003

Yellow Streaks in Claro Walnut After Kiln-Drying

Bacterial infection inhibits drying in walnut, leading to visible discoloration that is revealed when the wood is planed. December 11, 2007

Conditioning DH-kiln-dried white oak

July 18, 2000

Don't send a home dehumidifier -- to do a commercial kiln's work

Are domestic dehumidifiers adaptable for use in drying small quantities of lumber? March 12, 2000

Stickers for green lumber

Where do sawyers get their stickers? November 7, 2001

Drying Bowl and Platter Blanks

Rough-turn the pieces before drying for better results. August 30, 2005

Dry Kiln Information Resources

A list of clubs, organizations, books and publications providing information about drying lumber for use in woodworking. 1998.

Power Venting a Kiln

A discussion of the ideal location for powered vents for a large drying kiln. May 14, 2006

Geothermal dehumidification kiln

Can water piped from below ground help with dehumidification? July 24, 2001

Minimum Sticker Thickness

How thin can stickers be in order to maximize kiln capacity without creating drying problems? May 11, 2005

Solar kiln instruments

Advice on controls for monitoring a solar kiln. October 2, 2001

Sticker Thickness

Three quarters of an inch is the practical minimum. April 10, 2005

Steaming Walnut

If you do it properly, steaming walnut brings color to the sapwood without destroying the figure in the heartwood. May 11, 2005

Lindane

Information on Lindane, a pesticide used to control powderpost beetles. June 21, 2000

Maple Color and Drying Conditions

Maple can turn gray as it dries. If you want white wood, you have to carefully control the kiln conditions. July 30, 2007

Growth Stress End Checking

Log characteristics can cause checks to open up, even when ends are coated and drying conditions are correct. February 19, 2006

Glazing for a Solar Kiln

Clear glazing works much better than translucent white, a solar kiln owner discovers. December 15, 2005

Sawing wood for house-framing

The basics of sawing and drying lumber to by used in constructing a house. January 3, 2001

Moisture Meter Quality and Price

What makes a good moisture meter? March 3, 2006

Wood weight and highway transport

How to accurately estimate the weight of a truckload of air-dried lumber to assure compliance with trucking regulations. Includes access info for resources. August 1, 2000

20 Steps to Drying Hard White Maple

The Wood Doctor's 100 percent guaranteed, sure-fire, no-snake-oil method for successfully drying hard white maple. 1998.

Air temp, relative humidity and MC

How much moisture can air hold, and what is the effect on drying lumber? July 4, 2000

Bugs in air-dried ash

Can a stack of ash be saved from an infestation of powderpost beetles? June 20, 2000

Energy Cost of Vacuum Kilns

Estimates of the electricity and heating fuel consumption and cost for vacuum kiln operation. June 28, 2006

Attic drying and over-drying

Can wood be over-dried in your attic? October 15, 2001

Keeping lumber flat during drying

Advice from Professor Gene Wengert on drying lumber in order to produce flat, true boards. December 12, 2000

Worm Holes in Mahogany

Worm holes aren't always considered as a defect in Mahogany, but they do leave you wondering whether the critters will come back. July 30, 2007

Drying Technique and Wood Hardness

Those in the know describe the effects of case-hardening (a drying defect) and how to diagnose it, as opposed to hardness that would affect machinability of wood. July 30, 2007

Setting Pitch in a Dehumidifier Kiln

DH kilns may not reach the temperatures required to set pitch in wood. Be careful of CO poisoning when supplying supplemental heat. December 11, 2007

Vacuum Dried Red Oak

Achieving quality and color. May 19, 2004

Reducing warp during kiln drying

Weights? Restraints? What are the best methods for preventing warp in boards near the top of the drying stack? February 13, 2001

Yellow discoloration in oak

Causes of yellow staining in kiln-dried oak are discussed. October 2, 2001

Lumber Drying Costs

The price of kiln-drying services varies by location. Here, pros discuss the factors that contribute to the cost. August 23, 2005

Drying Heavy Oak Timbers

Expect a lot of checks and cracks. October 2, 2005

Moisture content for exterior doors

Determining the appropriate MC for lumber that will be exposed to vastly different humidity levels. November 14, 2001

Checking for Drying Stress in Kiln-Dried Lumber

A kiln owner learns how to properly test his product for drying-induced stresses. June 30, 2007

Excessive Checking in 8/4 Honey Locust

Slower drying under moister conditions might have helped this load. August 31, 2005

Dry-Bulb and Wet-Bulb Settings and Kiln Control

Tips on temperature and humidity control in kiln-drying operations. March 26, 2007

Basement drying basics

The Wood Doctor prescribes proper drying procedures for a small batch in a basement. June 21, 2000

Optimal width when milling lumber

Milling lumber to the ideal width, and stacking for drying without warpage. December 6, 2000

Kiln velocity and sticker thickness

The necessary volume and velocity of air exchange, and sticker size, for a small dehumidification kiln are discussed. November 29, 2000

Supplemental Heat for a Solar Kiln

Kiln owners suggest ways to "bump up" the heat at the end of a drying cycle. October 20, 2005

Energy Cost for a Vacuum Kiln

An analysis of the energy bills involved in operating a vacuum kiln. July 13, 2006

Setting Pitch in Southern Yellow Pine

You have to heat the wood to 160°F to set all the sap. Otherwise it will ooze out, even through shellac or other sealers. February 9, 2008

Lumber weight as a drying signpost

Calculating weight and moisture loss in a dehumidifcation kiln. July 24, 2001

Kiln dried: Better than air dried?

Why kiln-dried lumber is the best option for wood that will eventually 'live' indoors. 1998.

Whether to Air-Dry Before Kiln-Drying

In almost all cases, better quality is obtained by kiln-drying from green. May 27, 2006

Moisture Content for Furniture Making

Lumber in the kiln is ready when its moisture content is the same that it will see in service. August 21, 2006

You say pecan, I say hickory

Pecan lumber is usually sold as hickory. June 20, 2000

Forced Air Circulation in a Solar Kiln

An example of a fan-and-plastic-sheeting setup that forces air through the lumber stack. May 14, 2006

Slippery kiln-dried wood

What could make dried wood so slippery that it is difficult to machine? August 12, 2001

"True honeycomb" defined

What is "true honeycomb" and what causes it? November 7, 2001

Cupping of resawn lumber

The two reasons wood cups when resawn. 1998.

Drying Lumber in the Attic

It's hot and dry up there — maybe too dry. But for small amounts, attic drying is feasible, though tricky. December 1, 2005

Lumber from a lake bottom??

Is it possible to dry logs which have spent 50 years underwater? January 31, 2001

Cypress board and batten siding

It's better to kiln dry that cypress before siding your house with it than to let air-drying suffice. 1998.

Preventing Sticker Stain

Stickers should be kiln-dry, and quickly pre-drying boards on end can help. August 31, 2005

Drying to ISPM 15 Specs

Wood for foreign-bound pallets and crating needs to be heat-treated according to International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) criteria. There's a strict standard and a verification requirement, so it's not a casual undertaking. August 29, 2006

Drying Cherry with Complex Grain

Tips on how to dry some pieces of highly figured Cherry wood. April 27, 2007

Drying Time for Black Walnut

Dry slowly to prevent checking, and test with a moisture meter. February 26, 2005

Dry Kiln Operator's Manual

A publication of the Forest Products Laboratory. August 22, 2003

Drying Softwoods

If the product is structural lumber rather than appearance-grade wood, just dry the stuff as fast as your equipment can. January 27, 2007

Using a moisture meter

How and where to use a moisture meter. November 14, 2001

Techniques for drying wooden bowls

Advice on how to dry large, turned vessels. 1998.

Drying red oak

Is air drying, prior to kiln drying, a good idea? March 20, 2001

Wet Pockets in Infected Wood

Bacterial infections cause wet pockets to remain in kiln-dried wood. Bad smells and other characteristic symptoms are described here. July 28, 2006

Lumber drying options and efficiencies

The Wood Doctor's favorite references for making decisions among lumber-drying options. 1998.

Interior kiln coating

Products to use as a sealer over OSB. October 9, 2002

Dark Core in Soft Maple

A kiln operator finds that his maple boards develop a light surface and dark core. Others weigh in with thoughts and advice. August 31, 2005

Kiln drying Mexican oak

Mexican oak can be dried using the same schedules as those used by processors in the United States. 1998.

Controlling color in air-dried alder

Ideas for achieving color uniformity when air-drying alder. July 26, 2000

Verifying moisture meters' accuracy

A discussion of ways to verify the accuracy of moisture meters. Includes info on calibration. June 21, 2000

Lumber Degrade Above or Below FSP

Is wood subject to degrade and defects above or below FSP?

Spots revealed in dry, planed lumber

Dr. Gene attempts to find the causes of discolored spots on dried lumber, revealed only when the stock has been planed. 1998.

Drying green tongue-and-groove pine

Success in drying green, already-machined lumber has much to do with the species. 1998.

Twisting lumber

What causes lumber to twist in a dehumidification kiln? March 20, 2001

Conditioning lumber -- The final step in drying

Why conditioning is the last but crucial step in the drying process. December 12, 2000

Drying hickory lumber

Avoiding sticker stain and bugs in hickory lumber. December 12, 2000

Temperature maximums for dehumidification units

and that's plenty. 1998.

Nyle L150 dehumidification system

A discussion about whether a Nyle L150 dehumidification system is salvagable. March 6, 2000

Maple processing basics

The fundamentals of milling and drying maple. August 10, 2000

Sticker stain solutions

A look at potential causes and solutions for sticker stain. July 11, 2000

Causes for warpage after planing

Why boards may warp after surfacing. January 16, 2001

After-the-kiln powderpost beetle infestation

Who's responsible for a powderpost beetle infestation, two years after the wood was kiln-dried? June 27, 2000

Setting the pitch

The why and how of setting the pitch in heart pine. October 15, 2001

Cures for sticker stain

Drying lumber can suffer from sticker stain for a variety of reasons. June 20, 2000

Control Issues in a Dehumidifier Kiln

If you run the kiln too hot, a safety cutoff may shut down your compressor, interfering with the drying process. April 27, 2007

Primary processing profit parameters

Some goal guidelines for profitability in kiln-drying operations. July 26, 2000

Hackberry sawing and drying

How to saw and dry hackberry to avoid chemical staining. March 7, 2000

Pin and pinless moisture meters

The pros and cons of pinless and pin-type moisture meters. March 20, 2001

Home dehumidifier for drying lumber

Can a home dehumidifier be used to kiln dry lumber? January 31, 2001

Kiln venting

Are vents needed in a condenser kiln? March 20, 2001

A good, cheap end sealant?

A discussion of the pros and cons of various sealants used on ends of boards in primary lumber processing. April 22, 2000

Determining Wood EMC -- (Equilibrium Moisture Content)

How to calculate and establish EMC. From the Forest Products Laboratory. February 16, 2004

DH kiln preferences

A look at dehumidification kiln construction, and manufacturers of DH units. July 26, 2000

Estimating BF yields

Some formulas for calculating board foot yields from rough logs. March 1, 2000

Drying pine for a trestle table

A brief look at the basics of drying freshly milled, 3-inch-thick pine. 1998.

Shrinkage allowances for red oak

Estimating radial and tangential shrinkage when drying red oak to 12 to 14 percent MC. 1998.

Yellow Pine Pitch

Heating yellow pine will set the pitch. December 15, 2005

Kiln-drying energy: Too cheap to save?

Sleep lost over the most efficient way to insulate a wood kiln will yield only lost sleep, not big savings. 1998.

Salvaging lumber from submerged wood

The best chance for salvaging lumber from submerged wood lies in cutting it quickly, and drying it slowly. 1998.

Warping after planing

Causes for the warping of boards after they are planed flat. June 13, 2001

Characteristics of butt log lumber

Denser, darker wood than the rest of that from the same laod may be from butt logs. 1998.

A facility for storing kilned lumber

What's a good facility for storing kilned lumber without raising its moisture content? May 6, 2000

Pause button on kiln?

Is lumber adversely affected if drying is suspended late in the kiln schedule? August 1, 2000

Moisture transfer in humid climes

Do tropical and sub-tropical species re-absorb moisture when left in their humid, native lands? September 6, 2000

Ratios: Relative humidity to moisture content

Common conversions and instruments used in measuring wood moisture content. October 31, 2000

Tips for drying butternut burls

Butternut burls are dried much like regular lumber. Also, a source for further information on drying burls. 1998.

Stains on wood

remove. June 27, 2000

Sinker logs: Cutting, use and grading

A quick review of the cutting, use, and grading of lumber from sinker logs. June 20, 2000

Setting Pitch with a Solar Kiln

If the kiln doesn't get hot enough from sunshine alone, try some supplemental electric heat. July 10, 2007

Drying small pieces in microwave

You can dry lumber in a microwave oven, under certain conditions. 1998.

"Depression" explained

How to determine relative humidity with two types of temperature readings. June 20, 2000

Solar Kilns in Humid Climates

Solar kilns work well even in humid climates, because heating damp air lowers its relative humidity. April 30, 2006

Stained oak from supplier

There are solutions for stained, milled, not-yet-dried oak lumber, but first , one must determine the cause of the staining. 1998.

Gross tally vs. net tally

The difference between "gross" and "net" tallies in lumber processing is explained. July 18, 2000

Case hardening in white oak

Is case hardening common in white oak, and should it be accepted? July 18, 2000

Sticker specs and spacing

Basic info on the size and proper spacing of stickers when drying lumber. June 21, 2000

MC in imported mahogany furniture

Moisture contents higher than eight percent are suspect, and suppliers must be notified. 1998.

Pricing custom kiln drying services

How to determine what to charge when kiln drying lumber for others. January 3, 2001

Drying Beech

Beech is a tricky wood to dry: too fast and it checks, too slow and it stains. August 21, 2006

Correcting case hardening

Correcting case hardening in processed lumber. July 11, 2000

Temperature Versus Relative Humidity

Links to curves that plot the relationship. February 26, 2005

Casehardening explained

The Wood Doctor describes casehardening, its causes, and cure. July 18, 2000

Wet bulb, dry bulb

An explanation of the terms "wet bulb" and "dry bulb" in reference to temperature measurement, and their particular usefulness. March 6, 2000

Solar or dehumidification kiln?

A discussion of the merits of two types of kilns for lumber processing. March 12, 2000

Dark liquid from walnut: Toxic?

The Wood Doctor says: Stay away from this stuff! 1998.

Effects of humidity swing

How does a swing in humidity affect drying time and MC gradient? February 28, 2001

Drying Hardwood Lumber

A publication from the Forest Products Laboratory. August 22, 2003

Drying wood for drums

Avoiding checks, splits and cracks when drying lumber rounds for drum bodies. September 6, 2000

Drying Oak Lumber -- Ordering Information

Where to send your check or money order to receive a copy of this useful text. May 10, 2001

Heat considerations in solar kilns

Solar kilns get hot enough to handle some aspects of lumber drying, but not all of them. March 6, 2000

Solar kiln construction - and more

are answered.

Understanding the Drying of Wood

Here's a handy resource on the hows and whys of drying lumber. June 21, 2007

Drying hard maple for whiteness

Permissible extremes for dehumification drying of maple, to accentuate whiteness. 1998.

Drying South American hardwoods

Dr. Gene Wengert provides a resource for information on drying tropical hardwoods. 1998.

Quality Drying of Softwood Lumber

A publication from the Forest Service in PDF format. August 22, 2003

Quality Drying of Hardwood Lumber

A publication from the Forest Service in PDF format. August 22, 2003

Preventing brown stain on pine

Warm weather is the culprit; keeping still-to-be-processed logs cools is the solution. 1998.

Weighting lumber stacks

How much weight is necessary for stacked lumber, ready to be air-dried? June 5, 2001

Drying Eastern Hardwood Lumber

Authoritative how-to on cost-effective kiln-drying of hardwood lumber. November 24, 2007

Preventing discoloration in rubber wood

The two causes of discoloration in rubber wood, and how to avoid them. August 10, 2000

Trouble drying 8/4 oak

Drying 8/4 oak too rapidly will damage the wood. February 29, 2000

EMC/RH ratios

Here's a listing of equilibrium moisture content to relative humidity ratios. July 11, 2000

Oak cupping and warping

When during drying does oak lumber stop cupping and warping? July 4, 2000

Drying hackberry

Drying hackberry is easy, provided you move quickly. June 5, 2001

Solar Drying Basics (PDF)

Illustrated article from the West Virginia University Extension Serivce on solar drying and kilns, in PDF format. June 19, 2003

Drying red and white oak -- together?

Can red and white oak be kiln-dried together? March 20, 2001

DH kiln operation