Air Dried

Timber is said to be air dried when the moisture content has been reduced by a natural process. This is usually achieved by placing it on stickers in a sheltered place such as an open sided shed with good air circulation. A general rule of thumb for air drying in the Northern hemisphere says allow one year per inch of thickness.

Air dried timber is likely to require a further period of conditioning before it is suitable for use in fine cabinet work indoors, but is often considered to be easier to work because the process of air drying is gentler than kiln drying.