>15% moisture wood - Need Advice

[Huskee]

I see no worries in wood >15% moisture at all. I also don't think you have the slightest thing to worry about regarding mold. Unless by saying they're >15% moisture that means they're 45% or something. Assuming they mean to to say they're 20% I think you're good.

Edit: to be transparent though, I am not familiar with guava wood. Maybe it's different.

[Spinaker]

Throw them in your oven at 250 for a few hours and dry them out. I have done that before, works like a charm.

[smokin fool]

I have some cherry wood seasoning, I just put on a wood shelf in my garage.
Garage doors are up and down a coupla times a day so plenty of air flow.
My garage faces south so plenty of sun to keep it warmer in there.
No experience with Guava so don't know if it will season like cherry.

[Eggy72]

I would think as long as they have air movement and it's not a moist environment you should be good. You can get a moisture meter online. I got one earlier this year because I run a wood stove in the winter and was curious how people knew the percentages. It was less than $30 and works pretty well. Lets me know when the wood I'm going to use is seasoned enough.

[Potkettleblack]

I have an order of guava chunks coming from Hawaii and I got this message in the email:

We regret to inform you that we made a mistake on our last shipment of guava wood smoker chunks. Due to a malfunctioning moisture meter, and some human error, we sent out your order before it was fully dried. The chunks did spend time in hot kiln, just not enough time. As a result, the chunks contain more than 15% moisture. You may see some mold forming on them if they are not used right away and not allowed to breathe.

The chunks are still 100% usable. You may use them as they are or further season them in a dry space with air flow. I recommend setting them on a piece of cardboard or scrap wood in a green house or on a patio that is warm dry and gets a breeze. Be aware that as they dry they will drip sap which will stain most surfaces.

I live in the upper Midwest. There is no warm, dry patio and no greenhouse. It's a half acre lot (if that)...

My wife has a room that she keeps her cactus collection in. It has a ceiling fan to keep the air flowing, it's generally the warmest room in the house, but in the summer, with the AC blowing, even with the vent closed, it's probably about 72-74 in there. Wife lights her cacti with LED lights that don't throw much extra heat.

So, the plan is to lay out the chunks on a two ply sheet of corrugated cardboard, maybe in the center of the room, right under the fan.

Do we think this is a good idea or an invitation to mold, and maybe insect infestation of the cacti?