Replies

1. 
   Ecbntmkr | Apr 26, 2006 03:21pm | #1

   Ktay,
   I believe that means it is air-dried or dried in a solar kiln. Most kilns used to dry wood introduce steam into the wood during the drying process. When you compare a piece of air-dried walnut to steam kiln-dried there is a significant difference in the color of the wood. Kiln-dried is darker and more one color, where air dried has more browns, tans, and color variations.

   Eric

   "When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die." -Jim Elliot

   
   

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   Edited 4/26/2006 8:22 am by Ecbntmkr

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Apr 26, 2006 03:39pm | #2

   Steam is used in drying walnut to even out the color - it darkens the lighter areas. Many think it also muddies up the rich purple/browns the darker areas walnut can have if air dried. Those folks prefer air dried walnut carefully selected to eliminate as much of the lighter wood as possible.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 26, 2006 06:56pm | #3

   Ktay, here is a comprehensive answer to your question from our very own, and now sadly departed, Jon Arno, tree and wood expert extrodinaire.  Click and read.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

   
   

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   Edited 4/26/2006 11:57 am by forestgirl

1. 
   Sawmillnc | Apr 27, 2006 04:45pm | #4

   Actually steam is used to even the color BEFORE you kiln dry the wood. It is not during the drying process steaming occurs. It can be steamed in the whole log or the sawn form but generally it cause the color to bleed from the heartwood to the sapwood. Most mills will tell you that its to give a more consistent even color but I find it gives a dull less vibrant color. Years ago before butternut became rare it was used as a substitute for walnut since its in the same genus (juglans) and it would be steamed with walnut and sold as such at the walnut higher price. I never steam my wood.. period.

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 27, 2006 07:13pm | #5

   I suspect you meant to address that post to "All" since I didn't post anythink specific, but referred folks to Jon Arno's steaming post (so to speak).

   What you're pointing out sounds like the "pre-steaming" that Jon described in the last paragraph he wrote. 

   For those of you who are unfamiliar with Jon's body of work at FWW, click here for a list.  We sorely miss his contributions to discussions such as this one, so I try to keep some previous ones bookmarked.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Sawmillnc | Apr 27, 2006 10:10pm | #6

   Sorry..I didn't click all in the drop down but you are correct regarding steaming versus not steaming. Steaming simply is the process used to make walnut/cherry/butternut uniform in color. The logs or lumber are steamed BEFORE the drying process to bleed the heartwood with the sapwood. Kilns can be steam,conventional heat and vent, microwave or vacuum and DH. There is also a kiln out there thats a RF. I use a conventional and DO NOT steam my wood. The best method is drying on stickers to allow a slow drying time and finish the process when the moisture content drops below 25%. This gives the best color and stability in my opinion.