Kiln wanted

[shendy]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a kiln to dry some of my timber. Doesn't need to be huge most of my bits are 10-12ft long and just over 3ft wide.

Anyone got anything or recommend anything?

[Big Beech]

Greenhouse, poly-tunnel?

[Big J]

I posted an article on how to build your own - might be worth a read

[Wendelspanswick]

Large insulated box and a domestic dehumidifier. No heating heating as the heat from the dehumidifier provides enough.

[shendy]

I posted an article on how to build your own - might be worth a read

 

 

I have read through most of it. Don't need anything that size. I could scale it down.

[Mike Dempsey]

I use a sauno kiln mechanism but I built a kiln to my own design. Built a frame from Doug fir and the sides from 9mm ply. infilled the sides with 150mm insulation with 200mm for the floor. Coated all the inside surfaces and door with fibreglass which was a bit expensive and time consuming but it only has to be done once. The yanks suggest using aluminium roofing paint but it has to be done every year. The door I made up from d fir with plywood skin and again infilled with insulation. I had all the doug fir so that cut a bit of the cost down. I am about to drill a 100mm hole in the workshop wall as it currently vents into the workshop. I used a dehumidifier to condense all the steam coming out from the current load and I collected about 250l of water from about 2.5m3 of 45mm thick oak. That's a serious amount of water but I was only wanting a measurement of how much came out. In future I will vent through the wall. Forgot to say I used 10 closed cell foam up against the bit where the door closes to act as a seal. I couldn't find any mechanical means of shutting the door properly so I just use 4 ratchet straps to pull it tight shut.

Works for me.

 

Mike

[Big J]

I have read through most of it. Don't need anything that size. I could scale it down.

 

Just scale it down. It will work well

[richardwale]

Keen to watch this thread. I'm after something that will hold up to 5 cube and dry to 20% in a week or two.

[Mike Dempsey]

Try googling vacuum kiln. Den Socling makes them in the states although a couple of blokes made one down south (Englandshire). Very technical and expensive, but its the fastest method of drying wood for furniture etc. Wouldn't be used for firewood purposes

[shendy]

An insulated box and dehumidifier seems like it would do what I want it to for now.