Grapevine?

[Azalea]

I've searched the forums to find information about grapevine and grape wood, but I'm not sure I found what I wanted to know.

My mom had planted some grape seeds a long time ago, and now the plant is starting to become too large to handle, so the wood that's going to be cut will probably be turned into chew toys for the chins. Is all grapewood/vine all the same in the safe category? The grapes were never treated with anything, and they're mainly for canning since they're too sour to eat.

Thanks for your help!

 

[macygray]

You might find this useful...

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12128&highlight=grapevine

 

[PetProductsByNature]

As far as I know, grapevine is grapevine is grapevine and it is all safe if properly prepared.
One thing I never see mentioned in threads discussing the preparation of fresh woods is that in the drying process, heat and airflow mix is important. Open your oven occasionally, maybe every 30 minutes or so, to let the humidity escape. If you are using a gas oven, there is even more humidity produced because of the gas. You only need to open the oven for 10 seconds or so, not long enough to let all the heat out, just the moisture. If you wear glasses, the moisture from the woods will fog them up when the moisture starts coming out of the woods, when the wood is dry it will no longer fog up your glasses. If you don't wear glasses, put a pair of sunglasses on. There's no guesswork in when the wood is dry that way.

 

[yummychinchillatoys.com]

Good tip Barbi... That's how I always know when my wood is done...

 

[Azalea]

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to use it all

 

[Chintastic!]

I know this is an old thread, but when preparing grape vine I always seem to burn the bark, but the actual wood isnt done yet. My chins wont touch burnt wood. So what Ive been doing is scrub and boil then let it dry out in my house for like a week, then bake it. Is this safe? They like it alot more than when I burn it. I get so mad at myself when that happends. Its like the bark is not totally attached to begin with and is so thin that it just burns as soon as it gets in the oven.

EDIT: I am using wild grape vines and come concord when my dad lets me use his "precious wine vines." He doesnt use anything on them except natural fertilizer(horse manure.)

 

[tunes]

While the boiling helps to kill off any parasites or nasties that might reside in the wood, the baking is what seals the deal. It also ensures that the wood is dried completely throughout.

How high of a temperature are you baking it at? You could bake longer at a much lower temp and achieve the same affect, and hopefully not burn it before it's dry.

 

[Chintastic!]

Ive been doing at 250 for about two to four hours, I really just do the glasses check like someone suggested. Its usually about two hours for the thinner ones and the thicker ones can take up to 4. It works fine if I let them dry for a week, then nothing seems to burn and it gets done in half the time. Thanks for the quick reply.