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Q. I have some cherry that’s been dried outside for two years. Can I finish the drying process indoors?
A. Yes, you can. Even if your wood has been drying in Uncle Joe’s barn for the past 100 years, the moisture content (MC) will be more than 15 percent. What you need is a MC of about 8 percent.
You can air-dry 4/4 lumber indoors from 15 percent to 8 percent in a single heating season. Remember, you don’t have to bring in the whole stack at once. Just bring in enough to satisfy your needs for the coming year. I’ve had small stacks of wood drying in the attic, the basement and the garage. (In my experience, don’t even think about the living room!)
If your basement is a bit damp in the summer, you can try running a dehumidifier or wait for winter when the basement is drier. If the wood seems to be drying too slowly, boost the airflow by directing a fan or two at the pile.
Finally, buy an inexpensive moisture meter so you can tell exactly when your wood is ready to use.
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