Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Forum Responses Conditioning is the process of removing drying stresses that were created in the early stages of drying when the shell tried to shrink, but the wet core prevented such shrinkage. In conditioning, the shell has moisture added to it quickly, so that the shell tries to swell but the dry core prevents it. The net effect is that the attempted swelling cancels the attempted shrinking. Such lumber will pinch the saw when ripping and will have immediate warp when machining.
Conditioning is needed for all products that require no or minimal stress.
Air dried lumber has minimal stress already so little conditioning is required. DH has no special key on eliminating stress, however. Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor I am also looking at building a DH kiln for my green lumber using a Nyle DH200 unit. I am unsure what is the best way to dry my green lumber to insure a quality product for customers. E-mail us and let us know what you think.