3 Easy Ways To Dry Wood Fast - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow An Easy Guide to Drying Wood at Home PDF download Download Article Reclaim your lumber by speeding up the natural drying process Reviewed by Barry Zakar

Last Updated: January 10, 2025 References

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  • Using a Microwave Oven for Small Wood Pieces
    • |
  • Using a Conventional Oven for Medium Pieces
    • |
  • Speeding up the Drying Process for Large Lumber
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Barry Zakar. Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University. This article has been viewed 123,983 times.

Air-drying lumber typically takes at least a year per inch of thickness, which is far too long for people that want to do a quick woodworking project. Although drying times depend on things like moisture levels, wood species, and lumber thickness, you always have the option of microwaving small pieces of wood or taking a few steps to speed up the drying process for larger pieces of wood.

How to Dry Wood in a Microwave Oven

Weigh your wood, then measure the moisture content (MC) with a moisture meter. Microwave 15-25% MC wood on low for 45-60 seconds and >25% samples for 1.5-3 minutes at the next setting. Weigh the wood after. Repeat the process, weighing each time after. When there is no weight change, all the water is gone.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Using a Microwave Oven for Small Wood Pieces

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  1. Step 1 Weigh your wood... 1 Weigh your wood samples using a postal scale. Electronic postal or pocket scales can be purchased from office suppliers and big-box stores. Set it to measure grams, place your wood onto it, and take note of your wood's weight. If you'd like to keep your scale clean, place a container onto the scale, hit "Tare," and then place the wood in.[1]
    • Use a scale that has an accuracy within 0.1% for the best results. Otherwise, accuracy should be at least within 0.035 ounces (0.99 g).
  2. Step 2 Measure the moisture content (MC) with a moisture meter. 2 Measure the moisture content (MC) with a moisture meter. For pin-type moisture meters, press the 2 tips into the wood and activate it for the moisture reading. For pinless meters, press the base of its scanning plate against the wood and turn the meter on. Record the moisture content, which will be a percentage between 0 and 100.[2]
    • Purchase moisture meters from home hardware stores and online suppliers.
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  3. Step 3 Microwave 15% to 25% MC wood at the lowest setting for 45 to 60 seconds. 3 Microwave 15% to 25% MC wood at the lowest setting for 45 to 60 seconds. Place 3 to 5 paper towels onto the microwave oven's plate and place your wood on top. Most ovens come with a "Low" setting and a "Defrost" setting that is slightly higher. Set it to "Low" and look out for smoke—this is a sign that you have burnt away some of the wood weight and volume and any moisture measurements will be inaccurate.[3]
    • Never let wood pieces touch if you're heating multiple samples or they can light on fire.
  4. Step 4 Heat 30% MC or above wood for 1.5 to 3 minutes at the second-lowest heat level. 4 Heat 30% MC or above wood for 1.5 to 3 minutes at the second-lowest heat level. For most microwaves, the next heat level above "Low" is "Defrost." Layer 5 paper towels onto the microwave oven's plate, place your wood on top, and set your microwave to "Defrost." If you don't mind waiting, you can set it to the lowest setting, and wait about 4 minutes instead.[4]
    • If you smell smoke or burning on "Defrost," switch to the "Low" heat setting.
  5. Step 5 Weigh your samples after the first round of heating. 5 Weigh your samples after the first round of heating. Following the first round of heating, weigh your samples on the scale and record the weights. When drying wood, you will notice each piece loses weight, which is a sign that moisture is leaving. The goal is to continue heating your wood pieces until there is no weight change and each of their moisture contents is stable.[5]
    • Remember that different types of wood dry at different rates. Don't be surprised if some pieces lose moisture slower or faster than others.
  6. Step 6 Continue heating your wood and weighing it until there are no weight changes. 6 Continue heating your wood and weighing it until there are no weight changes. Heat the wood in intervals of 45 to 60 seconds with a 1-minute rest in between each. For highly accurate scales, you shouldn't be able to detect variation more than 0.1 gram once the drying process is done. For gram scales, stop when you get about 5 or 6 readings that are the same.
    • Moisture meters can also detect moisture content, but the weight method is the most accurate.
    • Calculate the moisture content following the final heating by using the following formula: (Wet Weight – Oven Dry Weight / Over Dry Weight) x 100.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Using a Conventional Oven for Medium Pieces

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  1. Step 1 Preheat your oven to 217 °F (103 °C) and monitor its temperature. 1 Preheat your oven to 217 °F (103 °C) and monitor its temperature. After setting the heat, place one kitchen rack on the bottom and another in the center. Now, place a large baking pan on the bottom rack and put an oven thermometer onto the center rack in one of its far corners.[6]
    • If your oven doesn’t let you set the temperature to 217 °F (103 °C), set it to the closest increment, such as 215 °F (102 °C).
  2. Step 2 Adjust your oven settings until it hits 217 °F (103 °C). 2 Adjust your oven settings until it hits 217 °F (103 °C). Monitor your oven thermometer every 10 minutes. If it's too high, lower the temperature, and if it's too low, increase it. Always adjust the temperature by the smallest increments for optimal accuracy.[7]
    • Turn on your kitchen fan if it has one—this will ensure optimal airflow.
  3. Step 3 Place your wood onto the center rack for 1 hour. 3 Place your wood onto the center rack for 1 hour. Be sure that none of the pieces are touching. For smaller pieces, lay them perpendicular to each rung of the oven rack to prevent them from falling through.[8]
    • Continue monitoring the oven thermometer every 10 to 15 minutes and adjust temperature accordingly.
  4. Step 4 Test your wood's moisture content (MC) after 1 hour and reheat for 15 minutes increments as necessary. 4 Test your wood's moisture content (MC) after 1 hour and reheat for 15 minutes increments as necessary. After 1 hour has passed, remove 2 to 3 wood pieces of varying sizes from the oven. Measure their moisture content using a moisture meter. Continue heating the pieces for 15-minute intervals until the desired MC or until the moisture levels do not decrease anymore.[9]
    • Purchase moisture meters from home hardware stores and online suppliers.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Speeding up the Drying Process for Large Lumber

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  1. Step 1 Process your logs 1 Process your logs as fast as possible. If you have just cut down a tree, make the wood into lumber as soon as you can. Processing opens up the wood and helps the drying process, which can prevent stain and rot from affecting the wood.[10]
  2. Step 2 Store your wood in a shaded location with ample airflow. 2 Store your wood in a shaded location with ample airflow. Try and find an indoor location like a hayloft or shed or an outdoor location that is in the shade. Avoid locations like garages which likely don't have enough airflow. Never store wood in the basement or inside boxes as they dry, they definitely won't have enough airflow.[11]
    • Remember that your wood needs to dry in an area with a similar moisture content that the finished product will be exposed to. For example, if you plan to use the wood to make a chair that will be placed in a dry area of your home, store it in an area with similarly low moisture content
    • Point an electric household fan toward your wood between your cutting sessions to improve airflow. This circulation will help your wood dry in at least half the time that it normally would.
  3. Step 3 Seal off the ends of each piece of lumber immediately after cutting to prevent moisture decay. 3 Seal off the ends of each piece of lumber immediately after cutting to prevent moisture decay. Exposed ends can lead to drying that is too fast, which paves the way for end-grain cracking and splits. And since moisture escapes wood 10 to 12 times quicker from the ends, leaving them exposed is damaging to the wood. Apply paraffin wax, shellac, polyurethane, or latex paint to the ends in a uniform manner so that both are completely covered. Try to do so as soon as possible—within minutes—for the best results.[12]
    • Purchase specially formulated end grain sealers from woodworking or home hardware stores if you don't mind paying a bit more money.
  4. Step 4 Stack your lumber uniformly to expose all sides to airflow. 4 Stack your lumber uniformly to expose all sides to airflow. When you're cutting your lumber, cut the pieces to the same lengths and thicknesses. Afterward, these equal dimensions will make it easier to stack them in a manner that exposes each side to air. Use small pieces of 3⁄4 by 11⁄2 inch (1.9 cm × 14.0 cm) wood, also known as stickers, to create space between each side and increase ventilation.[13]
    • Use spacers every 12 inches (30 cm) for thinner pieces and 16 inch (41 cm) or 24 inch (61 cm) spacing for thicker pieces.
  5. Step 5 Cover the top of your wood with a tarp or plastic sheeting. 5 Cover the top of your wood with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Don't cover the entire pile of wood to the ground—this will hold in moisture. By just covering the top, you can ensure that each piece is adequately shaded without trapping moisture.[14]
    • Skip this step if you're storing your wood indoors or somewhere with adequate shade.
  6. Step 6 Measure the moisture content (MC) of your wood with a moisture meter. 6 Measure the moisture content (MC) of your wood with a moisture meter. If you're using a pin-type moisture meter, press the 2 tips of the device into your wood. Afterward, turn it on and examine the moisture reading. For pinless meters, press the base of the scanning plane to the wood and activate it. Moisture readings are a percentage between 0 and 100.[15]
    • Buy both types of moisture meters from online suppliers and home hardware stores.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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Tips

  • When microwaving multiple pieces of wood, don't heat multiple pieces of varying moisture contents. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't rush—more cycles at lower heat is easier on the wood than fewer cycles at high heat. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Use oven or work gloves when handling heated wood. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
  • Don't use high-heat microwave settings or you risk starting a fire. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/gwM7-KCD8Vk?t=4m12s
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/01EYuMPrRmY?t=58s
  3. ↑ http://www.richardjonesfurniture.com/Articles/microwave-dry-wood/microwave-dry-wood.html
  4. ↑ http://www.richardjonesfurniture.com/Articles/microwave-dry-wood/microwave-dry-wood.html
  5. ↑ http://www.richardjonesfurniture.com/Articles/microwave-dry-wood/microwave-dry-wood.html
  6. ↑ https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/jm214q048
  7. ↑ https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/jm214q048
  8. ↑ https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/jm214q048
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/01EYuMPrRmY?t=58s
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/
  2. ↑ https://baileylineroad.com/4-wood-drying-tips-for-woodworking-projects/
  3. ↑ https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/
  4. ↑ https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/drying-wood-at-home/
  5. ↑ https://baileylineroad.com/4-wood-drying-tips-for-woodworking-projects/
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/01EYuMPrRmY?t=58s

About This Article

Barry Zakar Reviewed by: Barry Zakar Handyman This article was reviewed by Barry Zakar. Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University. This article has been viewed 123,983 times. 16 votes - 94% Co-authors: 11 Updated: January 10, 2025 Views: 123,983 Categories: Featured Articles | Wood Article SummaryX

With a few tricks, you can easily dry your wood faster at home. For small pieces of wood, heat them in your microwave oven for 45 to 60 seconds on its lowest setting. If the wood is particularly damp, heat it for 1 ½ to 3 minutes on your microwave’s defrost or 2nd lowest setting. You can buy a moisture meter to get a precise measurement. For larger pieces of wood, preheat your oven to 217 degrees Fahrenheit, space the wood on the center rack, and heat it for 1 hour. If you have a moisture meter, keep heating your wood in 15 minute increments until the moisture level of the wood doesn’t change anymore. For more tips, including how to help large lumber dry faster, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Barry Zakar Reviewed by: Barry Zakar Handyman Co-authors: 11 Updated: January 10, 2025 Views: 123,983 94% of readers found this article helpful. 16 votes - 94% Click a star to add your vote

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