Question: I have read in several places of woodturners nuking exotic hardwoods to somewhat speed up the curing process. Has anyone ever tried this with cane that’s maybe a bit too soft/under-cured? If so, what was the result? Any recommendations regarding methods?
I figure the worst that could happen is that your chanter might glow in the dark. 
Thx,
djm
A good caning just makes my buttocks glow in the dark. Or at least feel like it.
Royce
(But I enjoy it anyway.)
I’ve heard some people are wary of the microwave process: the parallel being drawn with kiln drying versus air drying, and how kiln drying damages fibres. Be aware that I have no first hand experience. It’s only what I’ve read online.
Your reading matches mine, Eric. From what I’ve read, you would only nuke wood/cane that has already gone through somewhat of the curing/aging process. Even then, the wood/cane would still have to age after nuking, but I don’t know how long or how high to nuke at, and I don’t know how much longer after nuking you would still want to wait before working the cane. That’s why I was looking to see if anyone else here has tried it.
djm
I have been told that if you nuke your cane, you might as well serve it with a fruity, yet full bodied Reisling.
Or find a clean, old man. 
djm
Although, I am curious what/how a dehydrator might contribute to the drying/curing process… we’ve had one for years to make jerky with. I am quite certain that it wouldn’t be able to do all of the work of curing, but I am wondering if it might aid in the drying process. Something to experiment with once I have some green stuff to play around with.
Cane will air-dry completely in a few months. Curing takes about three years. Nuking may dry it but will not cure it. Cooking cane seems to harden it excessively, according to those who have tried it. Curing is the process in which the cane undergoes decomposition by fungi, bacteria and viruses which each do their thing on different substances in the cane. When they have done all they can, the cane is stabilized and can be used to make reeds. A reed made from incompletely cured cane will continue to cure, and may get better or worse (usually) after curing is complete.
Ted
Thanks for that, Ted. So are you saying that a reed that cures to certain level of hardness will always stay at that level of hardness?
djm
It certainly won’i get softer over time. Hard cane used for wet reeds hardens over years of sitting around, waiting to become reeds.. I have not seen this in the softer cane I use for UP.
Ted