Steaming Northern Red Oak to Reduce Kiln-Drying Time

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) lumber was presteamed at 185?F for 4 hours before kiln drying to decrease drying time. Part of the test material was steamed while green; part, after air drying to 50 percent moisture content. Kiln-drying time was reduced approximately 17 percent by both treatments. Steaming did not affect quality of lumber steamed in the green condition. Some lumber air-dried before steaming developed severe surface checks during air drying. The steaming was detrimental in this case because it appeared to deepen these surface checks and cause honeycombing.

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