Homemade kiln / fast drying options

[Celtictimber]

Seems a cheap way of drying timber

[richardwale]

Pink foot, sounds like a good idea, got any pictures? How long before you have to reload the burner and does it burn overnight?

[Pinkfoot]

12 hour burn comfortably , depending on what you burn.

Willow I fill morning noon and night but it would go 12 hours .

Just a matter of getting your fuel organised.

Sawdust burns well too.

Chips would also go .I suspect.

Will take a picture

[richardwale]

So roughly a cube every couple of days?

[Pinkfoot]

Less than that. Have not measured it but it depends what you burn and how open you have it.

It will do 45 C easily but that changes as it is filled up or depletes.

Once the wood is warmed through it will hold good temperature.

[Pinkfoot]

I reckon a cube would last five days but you can burn sticks and sawdust

[richardwale]

How many cube can you dry at a time and what do you think it costs in electric / diesel per container load?

[Pinkfoot]

15 cube /80 litres diesel.

It is at its least efficient at the moment.

I will try and reconfigure during the summer and make it better

[openspaceman]

15 cube /80 litres diesel.

It is at its least efficient at the moment.

I will try and reconfigure during the summer and make it better

 

I may have missed something in the earlier bits of the thread but if your figures are good then it looks like you used 3.9MJ input for every kg of water loss. That is as good or better than our high speed dryer. I base the calculations on 15 cube=7.5 tonnes wet wood, initial moisture content 50%, final moisture content 25% using 80 litres of diesel with 10.15kWh/litre.

[drythropple]

I think you have a good idea!! I wouldnt listen too much to certain negative comments you are getting, a few on here are only too happy to knock anyone attempting something a little different, infact, I am sure they trawl the site looking for a way to have a "stab" at anyone, usually quoting health and safety!

Good on you and hope it works !!