Maple Mash Paddle Cracking

[jzamora3]

I made a 36 inch mash paddle a couple weeks ago and have noticed the wood look extremely dry and has some minor cracks in it. All I did was use my jigsaw to cut design, route and sand it. No oils or finishes. I'll usually rinse it off and hang dry. I've used it in two brews so far.

I have used blue Dawn soap to clean it up a bit. Could the soap have done this to the wood?

Any ideas here? I was hoping to get a few years out of it but it's looking like it might crack significantly.

 

[triethylborane]

Its probably the heat of the mash and cooling cycles causing the cracking if the paddle is a solid piece, which it sounds like. Soap is not the issue here IMHO.

 

[jzamora3]

From what I had read, maple is perfect due to its durability and hardness. Maybe I got a bad piece? And yes, it was a single piece of wood.

What's reccomended to help extend the life of maple paddles?

 

[flars]

Drying wooden tools in the sun or near heat will accelerate cracking, warping, and twisting.