Exotic Wood Kiln Schedules: Low vs High Heat for Table Slabs

Kiln Schedules and Drying Exotic Woods for Epoxy Tabletops

When selecting timber slabs for epoxy river tables or composite wood surfaces, knowing how the material was dried is essential. Different exotic hardwoods and softwoods respond uniquely to thermal conditions during the drying cycle. The CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets compile suggested kiln-drying programs, listing indicative temperature ranges in degrees Celsius alongside drying rates.

It is important to understand that these CIRAD programs represent indicative schedules. They provide reference boundaries rather than rigid rules for every piece of timber, as natural variations occur across individual trees and drying facilities. When pairing timber with epoxy resin, wood that has undergone appropriate kiln conditions ensures structural stability, allowing builders to follow the resin maker’s technical data sheet effectively.

Kiln-Drying Temperature Classifications

Reviewing the CIRAD Tropix data reveals clear groupings based on recommended minimum and maximum temperature targets. These can be separated into gentle schedules, moderate drying schedules, and higher-temperature programs.

Gentle, Low-Temperature Schedules

Species in these brackets require careful, lower-heat environments during drying to manage internal stresses and prevent degrade. Many of these woods are noted for a slow drying rate.

• 44–60 °C (111–140 °F): Timber species such as Cumaru / Tonka, Manilkara, and Massaranduba require low initial heat, with a slow drying rate.
• 48–60 °C (118–140 °F): African Padauk (normal to slow rate), Ayan (normal rate), Dabema, Dalli, Nyatoh, and Yellowheart (all normal to slow rate), along with Keruing, Merbau, Mutenye, and Niove (each classified as slow).
• 45–65 °C (113–149 °F): A broad selection of dense or sensitive exotics fall into this bracket, including Abiurana vermelha, Alep, Ananta, Andok, Angelim vermelho, Araracanga, Billian, Cabreuva, Ceylon Satinwood, Chengal, Coconut wood, Congotali, Coula, Curupixa, Dina, Ebène veinée d’asie, Ekki, Eveuss, Eyoum, Goiabao, Grenadillo / Grenadille d’Afrique, Keranji, Louro vermelho, Manchiche, Manniballi, Mecrussé, Mora, Moral, Mubala, Muhuhu, Muirapiranga / Bloodwood, Mukulungu, Okan, Olène, Preciosa, Pucté, Red grandis, Rosewood Para, Sapucaia, Snakewood, Tamalan Rosewood, Tanimbuca, Uchy, Vésámbata, Vêne, Wamara, Wamba, Wenge, and Yellow balau. The drying rate across these woods is overwhelmingly slow or normal to slow.

Moderate-Temperature Programs

A substantial number of commercial hardwoods and plantation timbers tolerate intermediate thermal levels:

• 53–62 °C (127–144 °F): This schedule covers species like Abarco, African canarium, Cedrinho, Djedoe, Durian, Ekop, European Beech, Gerutu, Gommier, Guariuba, Iatandza, Igaganga, Jacareuba, Jelutong, Jequitiba, Kedondong, Kembang semangkok, Kosipo, Kurokai, Landa, Mambode, Maporokon, Melunak, Mersawa, Mumuli, Odoko, Okwen, Ovangkol, Ozigo, Peruvian Walnut, Rubberwood, Safukala, Sepetir, Sterculia, Tchitola, White seraya, White sterculia, and Zebrano. Drying rates vary from rapid (such as Jelutong and Rubberwood) to slow (such as European Beech, Mersawa, and Zebrano).
• 53–65 °C (127–149 °F) and 55–65 °C (131–149 °F): Many prominent cabinet woods fall here. Notable timbers include Abura, African cordia, African walnut, Afzelia, Agba, Angelim pedra, Aningeria, Atlas Cedar, Basralocus, Beli, Berlinia, Bilinga / Opepe, Bintangor, Black Guarea (Bossé Foncé), Black wattle, Cedrorana, Cerejeira, Cryptomeria, Cupiuba, Danta, Etimoe, European Ash, European Cherry, European Walnut, Freijo, Garapa, Guanacaste, Iroko, Itauba, Izombe, Kauri, Limbali, Makoré, Mengkulang, Moabi, Niangon, Padauk amboina, Pau marfim, Piquia, Pyinkado, Red balau, Rengas, Scented Guarea (Bossé Clair), Senegal mahogany, Sonokeling Rosewood, Suren, Sycamore Maple (Great Maple), Tatajuba, Tauari, Utile, and Yemane.

Higher-Temperature Programs

Lighter woods, fast-drying softwoods, and porous species frequently tolerate higher maximum temperatures:

• 60–70 °C (140–158 °F): Includes Antiaris, Canon ball, Capomo, East african bombax, European Larch, European Poplar, European Silver Fir, Faveira, Geronggang, Idigbo, Ilomba, Jacaranda, Kapokier, Mansonia, Marupa, Ovoga, Pterygota, Pulai, Sandbox, and Sesendok. Many dry at a rapid or rapid to normal rate.
• 68–75 °C (154–167 °F): Encompasses Alstonia, Ceiba, Erimado, Pashaco / paricá, and Sumauma.
• 70–80 °C (158–176 °F): Applied to conifers such as Benguet pine, European Spruce, Maritime Pine, Merkus pine, Mountain Pine (Hooked Pine), Patula pine, Radiata Pine (European Plantation), and Scots Pine, all noted for rapid or rapid to normal drying rates.

Wood	Kiln program °C (min–max)	About °F (calc.)	Drying rate
African Padauk	48–60	118–140	Normal to slow
Ayan	48–60	118–140	Normal
Cumaru / Tonka	44–60	111–140	Slow
Dabema	48–60	118–140	Normal to slow
Dalli	48–60	118–140	Normal to slow
Keruing	48–60	118–140	Slow
Manilkara	44–60	111–140	Slow
Massaranduba	44–60	111–140	Slow
Merbau	48–60	118–140	Slow
Mutenye	48–60	118–140	Slow
Niove	48–60	118–140	Slow
Nyatoh	48–60	118–140	Normal to slow
Yellowheart	48–60	118–140	Normal to slow
Abarco	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
African canarium	53–62	127–144	Slow
Cedrinho	53–62	127–144	Normal
Djedoe	53–62	127–144	Normal
Durian	53–62	127–144	Rapid to normal
Ekop	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
European Beech	53–62	127–144	Slow
Gerutu	53–62	127–144	Slow
Gommier	53–62	127–144	Normal
Guariuba	53–62	127–144	Normal
Iatandza	53–62	127–144	Slow
Igaganga	53–62	127–144	Normal
Jacareuba	53–62	127–144	Slow
Jelutong	53–62	127–144	Rapid
Jequitiba	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Kedondong	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Kembang semangkok	53–62	127–144	Rapid to normal
Kosipo	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Kurokai	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Landa	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Mambode	53–62	127–144	Slow
Maporokon	53–62	127–144	Rapid to normal
Melunak	53–62	127–144	Slow
Mersawa	53–62	127–144	Slow
Mumuli	53–62	127–144	Normal
Odoko	53–62	127–144	Normal
Okwen	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Ovangkol	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Ozigo	53–62	127–144	Normal
Peruvian Walnut	53–62	127–144	Normal to slow
Rubberwood	53–62	127–144	Rapid
Safukala	53–62	127–144	Normal
Sepetir	53–62	127–144	Normal
Sterculia	53–62	127–144	Normal
Tchitola	53–62	127–144	Normal
White seraya	53–62	127–144	Normal
White sterculia	53–62	127–144	Slow
Zebrano	53–62	127–144	Slow
Abiurana vermelha	45–65	113–149	Rapid to normal
Abura	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
African cordia	55–65	131–149	Rapid
African walnut	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Afzelia	55–65	131–149	Slow
Agba	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Alan / Alan-Batu	53–65	127–149	Normal
Alep	45–65	113–149	Slow
Alumbi	53–65	127–149	Normal
Amesclào	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Ananta	45–65	113–149	Slow
Andok	45–65	113–149	Slow
Andoung	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Angelim amargoso	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Angelim pedra	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Angelim vermelho	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Angelin	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Angoa	53–65	127–149	Rapid
Angueuk	53–65	127–149	Slow
Aningeria	55–65	131–149	Normal
Anzèm / nténé	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Araracanga	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Ariella	55–65	131–149	Slow
Atlas Cedar	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Baracara	53–65	127–149	Slow
Basralocus	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Batibatra	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Beli	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Berlinia	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Bilinga / Opepe	53–65	127–149	Slow
Billian	45–65	113–149	Slow
Bintangor	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Bitis	53–65	127–149	Slow
Black Guarea (Bossé Foncé)	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Black wattle	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Bodioa	53–65	127–149	Slow
Brazil nut	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Brown sterculia	53–65	127–149	Slow
Cabreuva	45–65	113–149	Slow
Cardeiro / Cedrinho	53–65	127–149	Slow
Catucaém / louro faia	53–65	127–149	Normal
Cedrorana	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Cerejeira	55–65	131–149	Slow
Ceylon Satinwood	45–65	113–149	Slow
Chengal	45–65	113–149	Slow
Coconut wood	45–65	113–149	Slow
Congotali	45–65	113–149	Slow
Copaiba	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Coula	45–65	113–149	Slow
Cow tree	53–65	127–149	Normal
Cryptomeria	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Cupiuba	53–65	127–149	Slow
Curupixa	45–65	113–149	Rapid to normal
Dakama	53–65	127–149	Normal
Danta	55–65	131–149	Slow
Diania	53–65	127–149	Slow
Difou	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Dina	45–65	113–149	Slow
Douka	55–65	131–149	Normal
Dukali / amapa	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Ekki	45–65	113–149	Slow
Ekoune	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Essia	53–65	127–149	Slow
Etimoe	53–65	127–149	Normal
European Ash	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
European Cherry	53–65	127–149	Normal
European Oak	45–65	113–149	Slow
European Sweet Chestnut	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
European Walnut	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Eveuss	45–65	113–149	Slow
Eyoum	45–65	113–149	Slow
Freijo	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Garapa	53–65	127–149	Slow
Gedu nohor	55–65	131–149	Normal
Gheombi	53–65	127–149	Slow
Giam	53–65	127–149	Slow
Goiabao	45–65	113–149	Normal
Gombé rouge	53–65	127–149	Normal
Gombé towé	53–65	127–149	Normal
Grenadillo / Grenadille d’Afrique	45–65	113–149	Slow
Guanacaste	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Haldu	53–65	127–149	Normal
Idéwa	53–65	127–149	Slow
Iroko	55–65	131–149	Normal
Itauba	53–65	127–149	Slow
Izombe	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Kanda brun	53–65	127–149	Slow
Kanda rose	53–65	127–149	Slow
Kasai	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Kauri	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Kelat	53–65	127–149	Slow
Keledang	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Keranji	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Kumbi	55–65	131–149	Normal
Lati	53–65	127–149	Slow
Limbali	53–65	127–149	Slow
Longui	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Louro branco	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Louro vermelho	45–65	113–149	Slow
Macacauba	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Macassar Ebony (Ebène Veinée d’Asie)	45–65	113–149	Slow
Macucu de paca	53–65	127–149	Normal
Magas	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Makoré	55–65	131–149	Normal
Manchiche	45–65	113–149	Medium to slow
Mandioqueira	53–65	127–149	Normal
Mango (Machang)	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Manil / Manni	53–65	127–149	Normal
Manniballi	45–65	113–149	Slow
Mecrussé	45–65	113–149	Slow
Melancieira	53–65	127–149	Slow
Mengkulang	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Merawan	53–65	127–149	Slow
Merpauh	53–65	127–149	Normal
Moabi	53–65	127–149	Slow
Mora	45–65	113–149	Slow
Moral	53–65	127–149	Slow
Morototo	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Mubala	45–65	113–149	Slow
Muhuhu	45–65	113–149	Slow
Muirapiranga / Bloodwood	45–65	113–149	Slow
Mukulungu	45–65	113–149	Slow
Musizi	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Niangon	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Nieuk	55–65	131–149	Normal
Oboto	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Ogea	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Ohia	53–65	127–149	Slow
Okan	45–65	113–149	Slow
Olon	55–65	131–149	Normal
Olène	45–65	113–149	Slow
Onzabili	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Osanga	53–65	127–149	Slow
Ossabel	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Ossimiale	53–65	127–149	Normal
Ossoko	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Owui	55–65	131–149	Normal
Ozouga	53–65	127–149	Slow
Padauk amboina	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Pakuri	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Pau marfim	53–65	127–149	Slow
Pau mulato	53–65	127–149	No information available
Perupok	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Piquia	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Piquiarana	53–65	127–149	Slow
Preciosa	45–65	113–149	Slow
Pucté	45–65	113–149	Slow
Punah	53–65	127–149	Rapid to normal
Pyinkado	53–65	127–149	Slow
Pyinma	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Quaruba	55–65	131–149	Normal to slow
Red balau	53–65	127–149	Slow
Red grandis	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Rengas	53–65	127–149	Slow
Resak	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Rosewood Para	45–65	113–149	Slow
Sapucaia	45–65	113–149	Slow
Scented Guarea (Bossé Clair)	55–65	131–149	Rapid to normal
Senegal mahogany	53–65	127–149	Normal
Simpoh	53–65	127–149	Normal
Snakewood	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Sonokeling Rosewood	53–65	127–149	Slow
Sougué	53–65	127–149	Slow
Suren	55–65	131–149	Slow
Sycamore Maple (Great Maple)	55–65	131–149	Normal
Tali / Missanda	53–65	127–149	Slow
Tamalan Rosewood	45–65	113–149	Slow
Tamarindo (Groçai-rosa)	53–65	127–149	Slow
Tanimbuca	45–65	113–149	Slow
Tasmanian oak	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Tatajuba	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Tauari	55–65	131–149	Rapid
Timborana	53–65	127–149	Normal to slow
Uchy	45–65	113–149	Normal
Utile	55–65	131–149	Normal
Vésámbata	45–65	113–149	Slow
Vêne	45–65	113–149	Slow
Wacapou	45–65	113–149	Normal to slow
Wallaba	53–65	127–149	Slow
Wamara	45–65	113–149	Slow
Wamba	53–65	127–149	Slow
Wenge	53–65	127–149	Slow
Yellow balau	45–65	113–149	Slow
Yemane	55–65	131–149	Slow
Antiaris	60–70	140–158	Normal
Canon ball	60–70	140–158	Normal to slow
Capomo	60–70	140–158	Rapid
East african bombax	60–70	140–158	Rapid
European Larch	60–70	140–158	Normal
European Poplar	60–70	140–158	Rapid to normal
European Silver Fir	60–70	140–158	Normal to slow
Faveira	60–70	140–158	Rapid to normal
Geronggang	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Idigbo	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Ilomba	60–70	140–158	Normal
Jacaranda	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Kapokier	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Mansonia	60–70	140–158	Normal
Marupa	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Ovoga	60–70	140–158	Rapid to normal
Pterygota	60–70	140–158	Normal
Pulai	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Sandbox	60–70	140–158	Normal to slow
Sesendok	60–70	140–158	Rapid
Alstonia	68–75	154–167	Rapid
Ceiba	68–75	154–167	Normal to slow
Erimado	68–75	154–167	Rapid
Pashaco / paricá	68–75	154–167	Rapid
Sumauma	68–75	154–167	Normal to slow
Benguet pine	70–80	158–176	Rapid
European Spruce	70–80	158–176	Rapid
Maritime Pine	70–80	158–176	Rapid to normal
Merkus pine	70–80	158–176	Rapid
Mountain Pine (Hooked Pine)	70–80	158–176	Rapid to normal
Patula pine	70–80	158–176	Rapid
Radiata Pine (European Plantation)	70–80	158–176	Rapid
Scots Pine	70–80	158–176	Rapid to normal

Data compiled by BigEpoxy from individual CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (average values for mature wood).

Questions a Slab Buyer Should Ask

When purchasing raw timber slabs for custom resin casting and tabletop construction, asking the right questions about the drying cycle helps avoid defects:

• Was the slab dried using a dedicated kiln schedule? Inquire whether the drying facility applied an indicative program tailored to the species or dried the lumber mixed together with unrelated species.
• What peak temperature did the lumber reach? Timber species adapted to gentle drying (such as Cumaru, Massaranduba, or Merbau) can develop internal damage if pushed into higher temperature bands like 60–70 °C or above.
• How slow was the drying rate managed? Species listed with a slow drying rate require gradual moisture evacuation to prevent casehardening, checking, and honeycombing before bonding with epoxy.
• Has the wood equalized after leaving the kiln? Slabs should rest in an environment matching indoor conditions before machining and casting to ensure dimensional balance.

Sources

• CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (index)

Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.

Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.