Drying Oak

RDOwens · 11-08-2009, 05:45 PM

Back in August a buddy of mine cut down an oak tree. He and I cut up some of it and I stacked it out back.

If I understand, it takes about six months to dry out to be used. It's not covered. Is there anything special I should do with this to dry it?

I appreciate your thoughts.

baldbill · 11-08-2009, 05:51 PM

I would reccommend that you have it tested first, the whole lot could be contaminated. I would be willing to help a fellow bretheren out by volunteering to test it for you, I will dry it out in my smoker and test the ash and send you the results.

baldbill · 11-08-2009, 05:56 PM

put it where it won't get wet or cover it to protect it from the elements, mostly rain. Just find a dry place and stack it and in a few months its ready to go, again, I will test it for free!!

Hell Fire Grill · 11-08-2009, 06:11 PM

If it was mine I would let it season for a minimum of a year. Because the density of oak will not allow the water to escape as fast as alot of other hardwoods. After two years of seasoning oak is at its prime, in my opinion. Keep the wood stacked off the ground, on pallets or whatever, and covered.

If your going to have baldbill test it make him come and get it.

RDOwens · 11-09-2009, 05:34 PM

Thanks, guys. I should look to get this stack off the ground I suppose.

I appreciate the assistance.

Hugh Jorgan · 11-09-2009, 05:39 PM

Are you going to be using the oak as flavor wood or the main fuel? If a stickburner or offset, I would say everyone above is correct. However, if I was just going to be using it for flavor chunks, I would go ahead and cut them to size. That way it will dry a little faster.

bbqbull · 11-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Are the logs split in half???
Splitting logs in half will halve the drying time.
I always stack the split wood bark side up to help keep the rain off it, always tried to tarp the top row if possible.

Remember the smaller the pieces, shorter drying time, look for small cracks in the ends of the logs which means its drying down and probably ready to use.

BobF · 11-09-2009, 05:57 PM

Off the ground, and if possible under a shed. If its covered with a tarp, find a way to make a tent of it so you get airflow under the tarp.

h20loo · 11-09-2009, 05:59 PM

RD- when I get some special wood and I'm in a hurry to use it I will cut it into small pieces and put it safely in the furnace room. I use long strips to space it and its amazing how fast it dries out.

Hugh Jorgan · 11-09-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h20loo

RD- when I get some special wood and I'm in a hurry to use it I will cut it into small pieces and put it safely in the furnace room. I use long strips to space it and its amazing how fast it dries out.

I have some apple and pecan chunks and short sticks beside my gas hot water heater. The little closet it's in off the back porch stays very, very dry.

Rich Parker · 11-09-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbqbull

Are the logs split in half???
Splitting logs in half will halve the drying time.
I always stack the split wood bark side up to help keep the rain off it, always tried to tarp the top row if possible.

Remember the smaller the pieces, shorter drying time, look for small cracks in the ends of the logs which means its drying down and probably ready to use.

Now thats worth the price of admission! Thanks Bull

bbqfans · 11-09-2009, 11:18 PM

BBQBULL is right, split cures quicker. Take a piece and start it by itself and see if and liquid boils out of it,if so it's too soon, if it burns with no liquid, uas it. Hickory is the one to watch,even split it takes a long time...

Teleking · 11-10-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hell Fire Grill

If it was mine I would let it season for a minimum of a year. Because the density of oak will not allow the water to escape as fast as alot of other hardwoods. After two years of seasoning oak is at its prime, in my opinion. Keep the wood stacked off the ground, on pallets or whatever, and covered.

I agree 100% with a minimum of 1 year and better for 2 years for oak.

MushCreek · 11-10-2009, 12:49 PM

Moisture exits a log through the ends- so fast, in fact, that they seal the ends of timber so it won't split during drying. If it's flavoring wood, cut it into rounds, and it will dry pretty fast. A friend of mine builds guitars, and uses a dehumidifier in a large closet to dry the wood. Most of the moisture is gone in a month in his rig.

11-08-2009, 05:45 PM	#1
RDOwens Got Wood. Join Date: 01-10-09 Location: Millville, NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Drying Oak Back in August a buddy of mine cut down an oak tree. He and I cut up some of it and I stacked it out back. If I understand, it takes about six months to dry out to be used. It's not covered. Is there anything special I should do with this to dry it? I appreciate your thoughts.

11-08-2009, 05:51 PM	#2
baldbill Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-12-09 Location: columbiana alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	directions.. I would reccommend that you have it tested first, the whole lot could be contaminated. I would be willing to help a fellow bretheren out by volunteering to test it for you, I will dry it out in my smoker and test the ash and send you the results.

11-09-2009, 05:39 PM	#6
Hugh Jorgan is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-09 Location: Metrolina Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Are you going to be using the oak as flavor wood or the main fuel? If a stickburner or offset, I would say everyone above is correct. However, if I was just going to be using it for flavor chunks, I would go ahead and cut them to size. That way it will dry a little faster. __________________ Hot Rod Hog Cookers Association, Charter Member, President

11-09-2009, 05:50 PM	#7
bbqbull Moderator Join Date: 12-27-05 Location: Mid Michigan Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Are the logs split in half??? Splitting logs in half will halve the drying time. I always stack the split wood bark side up to help keep the rain off it, always tried to tarp the top row if possible. Remember the smaller the pieces, shorter drying time, look for small cracks in the ends of the logs which means its drying down and probably ready to use. __________________ You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. KC I miss your advice. Heavily medicated for your protection. Klose Mobile Pit Klose Owners Reccomended Pit Cookshack Smokette Gasser Little Chief Smoker Large BGE Gifted to me my Pit Barrel Smoker

11-09-2009, 05:57 PM	#8
BobF Take a breath! Join Date: 07-13-08 Location: Savannah, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Off the ground, and if possible under a shed. If its covered with a tarp, find a way to make a tent of it so you get airflow under the tarp. __________________ OTS Kettle, UDS, Sam's Gasser

11-08-2009, 05:56 PM	#3
baldbill Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-12-09 Location: columbiana alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	put it where it won't get wet or cover it to protect it from the elements, mostly rain. Just find a dry place and stack it and in a few months its ready to go, again, I will test it for free!!

11-08-2009, 06:11 PM	#4
Hell Fire Grill Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-30-08 Location: Battle Ground, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If it was mine I would let it season for a minimum of a year. Because the density of oak will not allow the water to escape as fast as alot of other hardwoods. After two years of seasoning oak is at its prime, in my opinion. Keep the wood stacked off the ground, on pallets or whatever, and covered. If your going to have baldbill test it make him come and get it.

11-09-2009, 05:34 PM	#5
RDOwens Got Wood. Join Date: 01-10-09 Location: Millville, NJ Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks, guys. I should look to get this stack off the ground I suppose. I appreciate the assistance.

11-09-2009, 05:59 PM	#9
h20loo is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-22-08 Location: waterloo ontario Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	RD- when I get some special wood and I'm in a hurry to use it I will cut it into small pieces and put it safely in the furnace room. I use long strips to space it and its amazing how fast it dries out.

11-09-2009, 11:18 PM	#12
bbqfans Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-12-08 Location: Gibsonburg,Ohio Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Rdo..........;}- BBQBULL is right, split cures quicker. Take a piece and start it by itself and see if and liquid boils out of it,if so it's too soon, if it burns with no liquid, uas it. Hickory is the one to watch,even split it takes a long time... __________________ Smoke Happy:)- Stan aka Old School

11-10-2009, 12:49 PM	#14
MushCreek Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 10-01-09 Location: Seminole Florida Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Moisture exits a log through the ends- so fast, in fact, that they seal the ends of timber so it won't split during drying. If it's flavoring wood, cut it into rounds, and it will dry pretty fast. A friend of mine builds guitars, and uses a dehumidifier in a large closet to dry the wood. Most of the moisture is gone in a month in his rig. __________________ I'm very intelligent, but I mask it by doing stupid stuff.

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