Round slabs of wood are more prone to cracking than boards.
A creative woodworker can find many uses for round slabs of wood, particularly if they have interesting burl patterns. Complexities in the grain are signs of instability in the composition of the wood, though, so before you begin working with it, the wood has to completely dry out, or cure. This is particularly true for round slabs, because the wood's surface is cut across the grain and is more prone to cracking than if it had been cut with the grain. While you shouldn't rush the curing process, you can create optimal conditions for it.
Instructions
1. Set 2-by-4-inch boards on the ground length-wise on their edges. Place them parallel and space them so that the gap between them is slightly narrower than the diameter of the round slabs you want to cure. Set the boards in an airy, warm, dry location out of direct sunlight. If you don't have a suitable place outside, set them up in your workshop or in the basement, as long as the basement is relatively dry.
2. Set a layer of slabs on the boards, staggering them so none of the edges are touching each other. The idea is to expose as much of both surfaces of each slab to a constant air flow as possible. If space considerations force you to stack the slabs, place more 2-by-4-inch boards length-wise on their edges on top of the first layer of slabs, and space the slabs in the same way as you spaced those on the bottom boards.
3. Keep the slabs uncovered. Covering them will inhibit air flow and encourage the growth of mold. Flip the slabs periodically to make sure they dry evenly. Place a fan pointing toward the stack to maximize air flow, especially if you are curing the wood indoors.
4. Check the moisture content of the slabs occasionally with a moisture meter. The rate at which they dry will depend on their thickness, as well as the temperature and relative humidity of the environment. When the moisture content has fallen to 25 percent, which may take 6 to 8 months or longer, the slabs have pre-dried and are ready for further drying in a kiln.
5. Stack the slabs in a wood-fired, electric or solar kiln. Keep the temperature initially around 120 degrees Fahrenheit until the moisture content drops to about 20 percent, then increase the temperature gradually as the moisture content decreases. When the temperature reaches 190 degrees, the moisture content should have fallen to 6 or 7 percent, signifying that the wood has fully cured.
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