How to Dry Lumber for Quality and Profit

Kiln operators, supervisors, and others associated with industrial lumber drying have benefited from How to Dry Lumber for Quality and Profit since 1949. In this, the 76^th annual offering, there are in-person and online courses for kiln personnel and non-kiln personnel.

Why lumber drying is important

Reducing downfall from #2&Better to #3 by 1% can add $250,000 annually to the bottom line of a large sawmill. Further, drying consumes 70% of the energy used to convert a tree to lumber and represents 10-15% of the cost. These courses emphasize improving grade while reducing operating costs and maintaining or increasing production.

Lumber drying for kiln personnel

IN PERSON:

Location: 107 Richardson Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Time: Dec. 9-11, 2024, 8 am – 4 pm.

Parking, campus shuttle and maps: Permits are required on campus.

See https://aims.parking.oregonstate.edu/

Lodging suggestions:

Comfort Suites, 1730 9^th St.

Best Western, 925 NW Garfield Ave.

Hotel Corvallis, 350 SW 4^th St.

Holiday Inn Express, 781 NW 2^nd St.

Hilton Garden Inn, 2500 SW Western Blvd.

The class first takes the learner through wood as a material and how it dries providing a basis for a discussion of kiln schedules. Next, kiln design, operation, and maintenance are presented. Finally, stacking, loading, running the kiln, moisture measurement, and collecting and interpreting measurements are covered. Written and USB drive handouts will be provided. Register by November 27.

* View the Kiln Personnel – on OSU campus course outline.

ONLINE: This is an online format of the in-person class. Click {Kiln Personnel – online} for a course outline. The course can be started anytime. Some individuals may prefer the self-paced format. All slides are narrated, some with video. Course content can be downloaded in PDF format for later reference. The course requires 20 to 30 hours to complete.

* View the Kiln Personnel – online course outline.

Lumber drying for non-kiln personnel

ONLINE: Quality drying is a mill-wide effort. This course is for personnel who need to interact with the kilns but not operate one. It will benefit personnel who prepare lumber or load and unload kilns. It would also benefit maintenance personnel and managers in other departments. This self-paced course can be completed in under two hours.

* View the Non-kiln Personnel - online course outline.

* View the agenda.

Both online courses are monitored, and the instructor is available for questions. Audio explains each slide. There are quizzes embedded in each lesson. These help the learner know if they understand the material. PDFs of all course materials are downloadable for future reference.

Kiln and Non-Kiln Online | On demand. Access any time.
Kiln Onsite | December 9 – 11 (register by November 27).

Varies by offering
25 hours avg. seat time

Online and Onsite

Kiln Personnel (Online or Onsite): $795
Non-Kiln Personnel: $99

795

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Additional Information:

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Instructors

Mike Milota

Dr. Mike Milota is the owner of Wood Moisture Solutions, LLC providing training and consulting for the lumber industry. He is Professor Emeritus, Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Oregon. This is Mike’s 37^th year organizing the lumber drying training at Oregon State, and he has conducted many on-site training sessions for sawmills.

Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.