How To Kiln Dry Wood
This is critical because it allows the wood to dry to the correct MC for its ultimate intended use thereby enabling the wood to maintain stability and dimension.
How to kiln dry wood. Allow the kiln to reach the ideal maximum temperature to dry wood. To take a piece out use a large pair of tongs or thick oven mitts and carefully move the wood from the oven to the wire rack. Split the firewood for quicker drying.
Boots gloves and safety glasses are highly recommended when splitting firewood with an ax or maul. Press the metal pins into the wood by applying a light amount of pressure. Kiln drying is a first step in bringing all wood products to moisture content levels that will be subject to minimal moisture-related damage.
Use your moisture meter the same way you did before drying your wood. Basically you want to keep rain and snow off the wood but leave the sides open to the air. The stickers should be placed flush with the end of each board in order to prevent warping.
After a few months bring the wood indoors and finish the drying. The main advantage of a kiln is that with the increased temperature and airflowall while carefully maintaining and controlling the ambient humiditythe wood can be dried much more evenly minimizing any sort of moisture gradient between the outer shell which dries very quickly and the inner core which slowly equalizes moisture with the shell. To build the kiln lay poly clear plastic roll on the ground and then build a frame with 2x4 studs on top of it for the lumber to rest on.
Leave enough space to have a standard household dehumidifier at one end and a small fan at the other. Once the kiln has reached the ideal temperature place the wood one by one inside the kiln. Purchasing fresh-cut lumber from a sawmill and drying it in a home wood kiln can be less costly and more satisfying than buying pre-dried commercial lumber.
Place one layer of wood into the kiln placing each board at least one inch apart from the others. Close the kiln door to keep the temperature inside the chamber. Do NOT wrap your wood in a tarp this will trap moisture in and often builds a surface mold that is neither healthy nor advantageous.