IBC Accelerated drying.

[pie eater pete]

As above has anyone found better results from using a clear tarpaulin or similar over split timber stored in IBCs?

[Logged On]

As in giving it the 'greenhouse effect..?

 

Sounds possible.

 

Neighbour's a landscaper, and come winter, he does logs....

 

He's got a bit of land with old greenhouses on it, and piles his wood in it (loose) to dry.

 

Says he gets really good results quite quickly...

[Marko]

Can't fault using the IBC flask as a 'roof'. Far better than tarps or plastic sheets as they dont get leaks and don't impinge on the wind flowing through the crate. And they are free!

[jcfaeecht]

Always wondered, how do you get the logs out of an IBC without completely knackering it? They are made of pretty lightweight material aren't they? The only way I can think of is using something like a box tippler with forklift tines

[pie eater pete]

Always wondered, how do you get the logs out of an IBC without completely knackering it? They are made of pretty lightweight material aren't they? The only way I can think of is using something like a box tippler with forklift tines

 

I get 3 small children eager for pocketmoney to empty them:lol:

[Woodworks]

It's all about airflow as far as I can tell Pete. More the better while limiting rain ingress. Not going to get much heat into them whatever colour tarp you use over the winter months and doubt it make much difference in the summer either. Admit to not trying it though.

[neiln]

I've read a load about 'Hill Billy solar kilns' on a couple of american sites, Hearth and aboristsite....or was just Hearth? Anyway, cut split and stacked wood, then just wrap with pallet wrap/clingfilm. If the stack is in a sunny spot it works just as well as greenhouse and people were getting (or so they said) hardwoods down to 20% MC in just a few months! people claiming to measure temps well over 100F inside the wrap in the sun, and photos of lots of condensate and rivulets running down.

 

So yes, a clear tarp/plastic sheet over it should have some effect in sunny spots. You'll want to cover a fair bit of the sides too to keep the heat in. IIRC those using the technique opened up the ventilation more as time went on but can't remember details. google solar kiln or hill billy solar kiln and read hits on Hearth and arboristsite

[neiln]

Oh and winter doesn't matter if sunny. A guy on Hearth somewhere very chilly...Alaska I think, biult some small poly tunnel kilns and got wood dry in a few winter months!

[Woodworks]

Oh and winter doesn't matter if sunny. A guy on Hearth somewhere very chilly...Alaska I think, biult some small poly tunnel kilns and got wood dry in a few winter months!

 

Sunny in the winter months

 

Not down this neck of the woods anyway unless we get a cold easterly and they are rare as hens teeth.

[neiln]

Found the guy with e diy poly tunnels, Fairbanks alaska. he hit 7% MC (claimed) drying over the summer. was hitting 128F inside in May,someone else claiming 168F summer from a shrink wrap version and claimed to get wood to 18-20% in just Feb, just one month. Softwood probably but hey.

Solar cord wood kiln operation | Hearth.com Forums Home

 

Is devon colder than fairbanks in Feb?