Thread: microwave bowl drying

Weight the bowls before and after microwaving (after cool down). If the weight is stable (doesn't change), then it's dry.

Weight.

You should weigh it before you start & after each blast in the death ray machine.

When it stops loosing weight, it is dry.

Snap, beat me by seconds.

If you don't have suitable scales, a less accurate method is to seal it in a glad bag before putting it in the microwave.

The bag won't puff up as much when nearly dry and, more importantly, there'll be noticeably less condensation on the inside. I've never tried "going all the way" with this method and trying for a dry bag... 'cos IMHO that's pushing my luck.

(It's an experiment I've been meaning to perform, but not until I can locate a cheap microwave just for the shed. I like eating... )

crap i knew i forgot something

I can tell you that if you go too far, the timber starts to crack & eventually it will char & ignite.

Microwaving will also seriously discourage any insect eggs from hatching, or any insects from getting any older.
Jim

A hint for first timers using a microwave, make sure your timber is reasonably dry and the rims not too thin. You should have seen the warping of my first attempt -made a very interesting shaped block of firewood !

As Cliff says beware of the charing. There have been reports of solid blanks smouldering away a long time after being set aside from the microwaving process. Well worth being mindfull of even if we are not sure if they are wood turners myths or not.

will do im leaving my walls about 20mm thick atm