whats the best way of drying out cactus stems?

[DiscoStu]

so i have a inner vascular bundle and it looks cool so what's the best way to dry it out? do I have to hollow out the inside or can i just leave it?

[Gunter]

A fan or dessicant.

[zelly]

mr sun works wonders and is free

[~shameless~]

When i was in peru i dried them out on a tin roof,

Just made sure it was weighted down with some kind of wire mesh so it didnt get blown away in the wind and end up blocking up a downpipe.

[~ EnergyVibes ~]

How are you all cleaning them out after they're dried?

I've got one I'm keen to make a lamp out of, it's dried and hollowed out but still full of the dried woody flesh around the ring... sand paper? Or let it decompose even further?