Kiln Drying Forum

Wood Drying Topics => Moisture Variability => Topic started by: Aaron H. on March 27, 2014, 09:45:01 AM

Title: Drying 1x4 Ponderosa Pine shop
Post by: Aaron H. on March 27, 2014, 09:45:01 AM

I recently faced the challenge of drying 1x4 shop Ponderosa Pine where I had to get everything below 12% cold mc.  By the time I finished drying my mc varied from 5 to 12 averaging 8 to 9.  I am wondering how to keep everything laying flat or if this is even possible?  I dried at about 175 degrees for four days in our double track.  I am working from scratch on my schedules and I would love any input or suggestions.  Our kiln control system has no wet bulb only actual temp and EMC sensors.  I have more of this to dry and more coming in the future so every little bit helps. 
Thanks
Aaron H

Title: Re: Drying 1x4 Ponderosa Pine shop
Post by: MichaelM on March 30, 2014, 03:39:48 PM

Aaron,
Is the material from small diameter logs?
Did you sort sap and heart?
Did you equalize (use about 175F and a 8-9% emc) ?
Did you condition?
These would probably be the key questions for the warp and MC variability?
The idea is to reduce the variability so you can get the average a little closer to 12% and have fewer of those boards at 5%.
Mike M.