Evaluation of Microwave Wood Moisture Meter

Samples of Englemann spruce, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine western larch, and western white pine ranging from 31 to 191 percent in initial moisture content were dried in a forced air circulation oven at 220? or 250?F. Microwave moisture gage readings were taken at three places on the surface of each board at 10-minute intervals during the early stages of drying and at 30-minute intervals there after. Moisture content was computed using the oven-dry method at each measurement interval. The results indicate that the microwave moisture meter can be used to measure the moisture content of green and dry wood with relatively high accuracy. But since the meter indicates only the amount of waves transmitted or reflected by the wood and its moisture, the relationships between gage readings and actual moisture content must be established for the species and specific gravities that will be encountered.

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