Infra-red Method

In this method, grain moisture content is directly measured by evaporation of the water from a sample of grain with an infra - red heating lamp.

A commercial infra -red moisture meter is easily available in market.

The instrument consists of a balance, a pan counter balanced by a fixed weight and a variable length of weighing chain.

An infra - red lamp is mounted on an arm above the pan with a provision to change its height.

A scale calibrated in percentage moisture content is incorporated in the stem of the instrument.

At the end of the test, when balance is zeroed, a direct reading of moisture content is obtained.

The sample of grains may be unground, but when ground sample is used, the time needed to evaporate the water is reduced.