Sterilizing Sticks

[Ixidor]

I have a similar question, and didn't want to create a thread for the same topic.

I would like to incorporate a large piece of wood in my terrarium, pretty much simulating a tree. So I've got a punky log cut to fit, (split almost down the center) with the flat side against the glass, (will be anchored with suction cups) and the bark exposed to the terrarium. It's about 6" thick.

Do baking times need to be increased for thicker pieces of wood? I want to make sure I get the entire inside of the log sterilized, but would like to avoid burning the bark.

[teslas intern]

Think of fresh wood like steak and punky wood like hamburger. If there are cracks and channels for water to get to the core of the wood, mold and bacteria can be there also, and the core temperature must be well cooked (which is why a rare steak is not a health threat, but hamburger can be bad). But if the wood is solid, a surface treatment should do. My advice is to cook at a lower temp, like 250, if boiling water can kill anything, that temp should work fine, and it should be impossible to catch the wood on fire, and make sure you leave it in long enough to get the core up to temp.

[Ixidor]

Awesome analogy, thanks for the help.

[Vivariums In The Mist]

I agree with Scott, I personally bake at the lower temp of 250. Either way, keep a close eye on it!!

Think of fresh wood like steak and punky wood like hamburger. If there are cracks and channels for water to get to the core of the wood, mold and bacteria can be there also, and the core temperature must be well cooked (which is why a rare steak is not a health threat, but hamburger can be bad). But if the wood is solid, a surface treatment should do. My advice is to cook at a lower temp, like 250, if boiling water can kill anything, that temp should work fine, and it should be impossible to catch the wood on fire, and make sure you leave it in long enough to get the core up to temp.