Work out grain drying time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Drying time is the mass of water to evaporate divided by the dryer's water removal rate. Water mass follows the shrinkage identity: lot weight x (initial MC - final MC)/(100 - final MC). The same identity gives the outturn weight, which is what the grain will actually weigh on the sale scale.
Water to remove
Water (kg) = lot (kg) x (MC initial - MC final) / (100 - MC final)
Drying time
Hours = water to remove / dryer removal rate (kg/h)
Removal rate falls as grain dries because surface moisture goes first and the remaining water must diffuse out of the kernel. Late-stage drying can be half the early rate, and high ambient humidity slows everything.
Limit removal to about 1% moisture per hour for seed and malting grain to avoid stress cracking. Feed and milling grain tolerates faster drying with higher air temperatures.