Kiln Drying: Drying wood in an insulated chamber and circulating air over it is called kiln drying. For most end uses of wood, all of the free water and much of the bound water should be removed. To accomplish this in a shorter period of time, or in more humid environments, a dry kiln must be used to dry the wood. Almost all commercially produced lumber is dried in a kiln before it is finally put to use.
Custom Dry Kilns operates 4 kilns with a capacity of 40,000 BF each. They can accommodate up to 28 feet in length. The kiln’s short length as well as the low
pressure steam system allows for a maximum drying efficiency.
USDA kiln drying schedules are followed. The drying time depends on the species and size of the lumber and as well as the difference between the current moisture content (MC) and the target MC.
To monitor the moisture content as the lumber is drying, we use state of the art meters from Wagner and Delmhorst. CDKS has small handheld models as well as probes that can be slid into a unit between the stickers to get a MC reading. The meters are then plugged into the computer to prepare reports showing the average moisture content the lumber is currently at. A constant watch is kept on the lumber until the target MC is accomplished.
Heat Treating: Heat treatment is a phytosanitary process that is required for all wood packaging materials used in international shipments. The process eliminates the presence of pests found in wood such as the Pinewood Nematode and the Asian Long-Horned Beetle which may, as they travel from one nation to another, pose a threat to forests and crops.
The heat treatment process was developed and adopted in 2002 by the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) and is defined in ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, Publication 15). All wood packaging material, regardless of species (hardwoods and softwoods), must be heat-treated.
Wood packaging materials, including lumber, panels, crates, pallets, skids, reels and other types of dunnage, are placed in our kilns and heated according to the specific criteria. In order to be ISPM 15 compliant, a wood core temperature of 133° must be reached and maintained for a period of 30 minutes or more.
All wood packaging materials that have undergone heat treatment carry a globally recognized stamp indicating that the materials meet all of the requirements of ISPM 15. This stamp is accepted at all international points of entry or exit and helps to ensure that your shipments will not face delays, refusal or disposal.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Custom Dry Kilns & Sawmill of Oregon follows the species specific schedules for heat treatment and drying times as set by the USDA and/or Oregon State University Forestry Department Guidelines. We are also able to customize schedules as requested by the client. We will, at any time, provide full records of all kiln times.
We are not responsible for any damage to the product. This includes, but is not limited to; Checking, Bow, Warp, Crook, Twist, Cup, Casehardening, Reverse Casehardening, or Cellular Collapse. Your signature, as agent or representative, shall be deemed acceptance of this disclaimer of responsibility.