Update! I pulled out and split 20-30 pieces of honey locust/red oak and took moisture content readings (fresh split face, pins parallel to the grain). The outer 1/3 of the wood on either end was 20% mc, but the middle 1/3 (the very center of the splits) is reading ~28%. Test pieces: K1 4 lb 4 oz, 15% K2 4 lb 6 oz, 15% C1 3 lb 3 oz, 19% C2 2 lb 12 oz, 19% T1 4 lb 12 oz, 18% T2 4 lb 5 oz, 18% I am still seeing ~120 degree days in the kiln on sunny days, but it is slowing down with fall approaching. Overall, I am impressed with the kiln operation. I am hopeful that the next few weeks will get the oak/locust the last bit of the way, as it is close. I will be burning cottonwood and then silver maple for the first weeks of the season. I definitely think cutting back the trees I did at the end of June to get a couple extra hours of sun on the kiln was important. I am hopeful that next year the kiln can get everything well under 20% but this year it looks like I will be right on the border of 20% throughout. As an aside, the fresh cut/split silver maple from late June which was stacked uncovered is 20% on the ends and 25% in the center of the splits. The cottonwood under the same conditions is a consistent 20%.
Not without pulling it all apart, I will check some as I get to the middle later in the burning season.
To uncover or warm up an old thread (best pun I've got) ..... I've been thinking and reading these mini solar kiln ideas so then I went looking for a more resuable approach - perhaps there's such a thing as a IBC tote cover. There is, but they are made to keep sun out, and we want sun in. So upon not finding a clear one, I started looking for what other products might get a similar result without the waste of the shrink wrap and came across this clear plastic patio cover. The dimensions work out to fitting two 275gal totes side by side with about 10" exposed from the bottom. Any thoughts on this? I think based on this threads findings, a vent on the top might help with airflow but there shouldn't be any issue with condensation running down the outside to the ground.
Nice to see you again. You're absence was noticed. Hope you're staying warm and hoarding lots of wood.
I use 16’ x 50” cattle panels, and tie them in a circle, they hold a half cord each, but you need something big enough to move them (if you’ll be moving em )..
I have the totes already and the water condensates on the sides of the inside of the plastic and runs down. I'm not seeing the problem.