Solar kiln

[Craigb]

Going to build one to dry firewood. I know it’s a shit time of year to be doing anything solar powered as winter is round the corner but has anyone any experience building one? I understand the basic premise of how they work but is there any rookie mistakes that have been made? 
 

ill keep this thread up to date with pictures as the thing progresses.

Edited September 3, 2023 by Craigb

[AHPP]

Someone on here (renewablejohn maybe) has posted a few times about orientation and relative heights of the ends to prmote airflow. Seemed worthy of attention.

[Stere]

Polytunnels work well

[sandspider]

Another vote for a polytunnel. Mine cost £100 or so 6 years ago and is still going, though getting a bit ragged now.

[slack ma girdle]

Yep works well

[Forest2Furniture]

On 03/09/2023 at 20:14, Craigb said:

Going to build one to dry firewood. I know it’s a shit time of year to be doing anything solar powered as winter is round the corner but has anyone any experience building one? I understand the basic premise of how they work but is there any rookie mistakes that have been made? 
 

ill keep this thread up to date with pictures as the thing progresses.

As part of my business USP I built and ran one yrs ago for drying Oak and Sweet Chestnut boards.

Winter sun is still very strong, so providing you have the roof angle set at 45 degrees you'll get both summer and winter drying.

[Craigb]

6 minutes ago, Forest2Furniture said:

As part of my business USP I built and ran one yrs ago for drying Oak and Sweet Chestnut boards.

Winter sun is still very strong, so providing you have the roof angle set at 45 degrees you'll get both summer and winter drying.

Thanks, haven’t even started this thing but that’s a good point about the winter sun.

[daltontrees]

Solar panels work on daylight, so although better in in sunlight they still work on cloudy days.

[neiln]

Look on hearth.com  search for solar kiln. There are several detailed threads.  Some by a guy called poindexter iirc.  He is some where very northern with lots of snow for many months but dried wood to something like 7%mc and did a couple of loads a year.   They work.