Drying wood

[Vyxxin]

SO, I know there are a kizillion threads on here about preparing wood...and in advance I DID read every one of them LOL! But I still have a question. I've been baking my woods at low temps (around 200) and it seems like it takes FOREVER (4-6hrs). I'm doing all different shapes and sizes so I know times WILL vary. I've picked up a lot of tips on here about how to tell when the wood is dry...but my question is how to tell if you've burnt the wood. I'm doing apple, poplar and grapevine. The apple seems VERY dark when it is fully dry and the poplar isn't much lighter (the bark not the actual wood). Finally I haven't started the grapevine yet as I'm trying to sun dry a bit before baking as the bark is not attached very well and is sort of thin and flaky to begin with (those of you that have done grapevine will know what I'm talkin about)

Oh, speaking of grapevine...it seems a LOT of the flaky bark comes of during cutting/boiling...is this normal and acceptable? There's still a layer (or several) but it does seem like you lose a lot in processing?

All responses greatly appreciated!

ETA- the reason I bake for so so long is because I'm VERY worried about mold (my area of Pa is VERY humid right now) AND because it seems they're still moist to the touch after 2-3hrs (a lot, not all)

 

[Vyxxin]

18 views? Come on people! Someone has to know I read the tips, some say judge by sound, some by wood cracking and some by moisture released from oven upon opening...but...any help?

 

[Twilight Chinchillas]

We have really dry weather, so humidity isn't a problem. I do bake my twigs @200 and take them out once they snap in half. You can also watch the bark on the apple, as it might wrinkle just a bit from baking (larger pieces and such) I bake them around 250, and rotate them in the oven about half way done. I'd probably recommend maybe putting them single layer on newspaper out in the open to be safe.
I have found that grapevine bark does come off very easily. Unless it's very dirty, I give mine a gentle rinse, and then boil. Basically your wanting to make sure it's clean, and no critters are lurking, so boiling, and baking should be good.

 

[Vyxxin]

Thanks for the tips With some of my apple the bark looks deep red/brown and other pieces look dark red/black? They do NOT smell burnt but I was concerned also, I'm doing them all single layer and after baking in the oven I'm doing "car drying" LOL! It's 90degrees here so in a car with the windows rolled up anymore advice on how to tell if you burnt any pieces?