Sawing and Drying

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RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying

9/27/19       
Tommy

If you air dry is there better color retention in the wood than if you kiln dry?

9/28/19       #2: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

The color is determined, for many species, by the humidity used and the temperature. For example, when drying hard maple, using 100 F and 65% RH initially will develop the whitest color. Another example, when drying beech that needs a pinker color, 130 F and 85% RH will do that.

What do you mean by "retention" of the color? Can you explain further?

9/29/19       #4: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
rich c.

Also be aware that air dried wood is not sterilized and can have infestation issues. Even at the customer's home!

9/29/19       #5: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

Practically all species when exposures to light, especially sunlight will turn darker in color. Drying does not affect this color change.

10/2/19       #6: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Tommy Member

Sorry for the delayed response. By retention, I mean the normal retention of colors that would be in the wood when air dried, it should be more pronounced than with kiln drying, is that correct?

If you were doing museum pieces of oak or maple, would a museum piece be more stable air drying for 2 to 3 years undercover, outside with airflow on stickers?

10/3/19       #7: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
rich c.

If I was doing museum pieces, I would definitely want sterilized lumber.

10/11/19       #8: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

I do not believe air drying will increase or decrease color retention compared to kiln drying. Either process, if done incorrectly (like too slowly or too hot) will modify the natural color.

1/28/20       #9: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Balmond

Website: https://www.topbathroomrenovationsmelbourne.com.au...

my vote goes to air drying, more natural and carefree type of drying.

1/28/20       #10: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

Tommy,
The question is about color retention. There are three types of drying discoloration...enzymatic oxidation discoloration (the same discoloration that makes an apple turn brown after you take a bite) that occurs with warm, slow drying (such as might happen on a summer, humid day in air drying, or if kiln conditions are not the suggested level), fungal discoloration where the fungi has the color, and heat discoloration.

Once dry, discoloration occurs with exposure to light, especially uv light. Oxygen in the air also plays a role.

The way you got the wood dry does not affect this uv discoloration.

2/20/20       #11: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Chris

Kiln drying is also hard on the substructure of the wood damaging it and does not last as long as air dried (slow kiln) wood. Air dry/slow kiln — Takes much longer to be at a usable moisture content for building projects, but for turning is much more stable than green and not as hard on the chisels.

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2/20/20       #12: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Michelle Hope

Kiln dried wood is typically prized for it's stability and use in construction. This may be preferable in pieces work that would get laminated or otherwise glued together, however if it is too dry, sometimes even the moisture from the glue can cause swelling and require extra drying time.

I typically prefer to turn in air dried wood. It tends to have the least amount of warping, especially if the cut ends were waxed or otherwise sealed. I typically worked with wood that had been dried slowly, with the bark still on. This was ideal for turning. With moisture just around 12% - 14% I was most comfortable.

2/21/20       #13: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
GeneWengert-WoodDoc

I have to disagree with response #11 by Chris, who gives a link to swimming pools. Kiln drying does not damage the substructure (not sure what that means) of wood. There could be damage to wood if the wood is heated to over 180 F at very low humidity, but such conditions are avoided in most kiln drying. In fact, southern pine construction softwoods, dried at 240 F, are as strong as air dried wood at the same MC.

Wood air dried to 15% MC will be identical to wood kiln dried to 15% MC. In fact, if a high temperature is used, the sap will be evaporated and insects will be killed, so kiln dried wood can be considered to be better. But, wood kiln dried to 7% MC and then used outside is too dry and will swell. Wood air dried or kiln dried to 15% MC will be much happier. The issue is the MC and not the process of getting to that MC.

9/27/20       #14: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Jevon Bell Member

Website: https://www.tilermandurah.com.au/

I'd definitely go for kiln-dried. My major concern with having it air dries is the sanitation. The customers of my tiling business opted for the same.

10/5/20       #15: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Aston Bell Member

Kiln drying all the way. The benefits of air drying over kiln drying are insignificant. Kiln drying also makes the product more visually appealing. It's what we make use of at our painting business as well.

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1/5/22       #16: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Maria

Website: https://www.murfreesborohomepainters.com/

i think it is better to sterilized it

1/5/22       #17: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Levi

Website: https://www.bakersfieldhomepainters.com/

I do not think that drying will change the color of the material. will it change base on your experience?

1/5/22       #18: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Mario

Website: https://www.haywardhomepainters.com/

I am working in the painting company but i do not believe that color will change eventually.

5/1/22       #20: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
experienced moving professionals Member

Website: https://www.officemoversperthwa.com.au/

I keep a fan going on medium speed year-round in my wood drying area and i position it so that it creates a constant flow of air all around the entire drying.

11/19/22       #24: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
KellyP

Some wood suppliers prefer air drying because the process dries out the logs evenly with minimal cracking and no internal tensions baked into the wood. A major advantage of air-dried logs is that the logs retain their natural color better than kiln-dried logs.

3/5/23       #25: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Fred Royce Member

The kiln process involves the drying of wood in a chamber where air circulation, relative humidity and temperature can be controlled so that the moisture content of wood can be reduced to a target point without having any drying defects. The most commonly used kilns are conventional and dehumidification kilns.

11/19/23       #26: RE: Air Drying vs. Kiln Drying ...
Ian Grey

Website: http://www.lasvegasdemolitionpros.com

Some wood suppliers really do prefer air drying because this process really dries out the logs evenly with minimal cracking and no internal tensions baked into the wood.


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