I happened to be researching solar kilns, when I can up with the idea to help the sun along and speed things up a bit. Then I happened to be search on Craig's List for a large fan, when I can across a beautiful 36 inch fan on wheels and it was for sale only about three miles from my place and so I bought for only $120 bucks. The fan can really some CFM and has two speeds, she's a fan alright! Of course pics are coming! So here what I'm gonna do........... Build me a solar kiln on some wonderful totally hot and sunny prime real estate I have, then offset a large torpedo space heater I have so it sends hot air (not flames) down a small tunnel I'll create in the 4 cord wood stack and have it venting out the top on the opposite side, via some small vents I can open and close. Then on the side opposite the heater, also install the large 36 inch that I will run at night to suck out moisture and bring in plenty of fresh air. I have a lot of ideas going through my head right now and I'm gonna get started on things today and take pics as I move along. If anyone would like to throw in some ideas, please feel free to throw away, the only stupid idea is the one not told.... or was that said wrong, away you know what I mean. Not sure if anyone has tried this before, but I believe this will work and if so I hope it will turn out to be an asset to firewood equipment arsenal.
My only thought right now is cost effectiveness. Running a kerosene heater and an electric fan could get quite expensive after awhile. Is there a need for you to get your wood drier in such a hurry? The old fashioned way works well if you have the time. Or maybe you were just thinking of doing a project. I think the idea has some merit and would probably work.
Agreed. Just keep the torpedo far enough away from the stack so your experiment doesn't turn into a bonfire. Let us know how this works out.......all fuel consumption too.
Yah in a way there is, I'm need 4 cords a year to heat my house 24/7, right now I'm behind the 8 ball with seasoned wood, and I don't want to buy any. [QUOTEThat does seem as if it would add a lot to the cost of the wood][/QUOTE] I get all the wood I want delivered un-split for free all year round, so a little fuel and added electric bill is buy far a lot, lot less then paying $200 to $250 per cord, that is never really seasoned right, and forget about buying kiln dried firewood, that runs about $400 a cord. I started the project today, and really got a lot done, (pictures tomorrow), and I'm making it a lot bigger, it will most likely hold at least 7 cords easy at this point. And my new Dirty Hand Tool 35 Ton splitter eats wood like crazy, I love it! So I'll keep everyone up dated as thing progress.
I get all the wood I want delivered un-split for free all year round, so a little fuel and added electric bill is buy far a lot, lot less then paying $200 to $250 per cord, that is never really seasoned right, and forget about buying kiln dried firewood, that runs about $400 a cord. I started the project today, and really got a lot done, (pictures tomorrow), and I'm making it a lot bigger, it will most likely hold at least 7 cords easy at this point. And my new Dirty Hand Tool 35 Ton splitter eats wood like crazy, I love it! So I'll keep everyone up dated as thing progress.[/QUOTE] I'm happy you made some progress, looking forward to your pics tomorrow
I've thought about build a kiln similar to what you describe. But my only thought was how much kerosene I would burn through to heat it up. I also thought of running a dehumidifier 24/7 in it to help remove the water out of the kiln. Really interested in how this turns out. And please let us know the moisture content of the wood with a meter if you have one. Good luck!
There are solar kiln threads here that have worked well for people in a pinch. Pallet Pete used one and other members as well. Just a simple pallet with plastic on it then completely wrap the wood in plastic and cut split in the bottom to let water out. I would be interested but really don't have the need for a kiln.
Interesting reading. Would really like to try something like this out but what would be the best/ cheapest way to heat the kiln I wonder.
The thought has crossed my mind, but now I'm really getting deep into things. I thought about that as well, but like Chris said And although, I'm not to worried about a little cost of running the kiln (again free wood un-split 24/7) offsets any cost by far, I have thought of this idea as well, but again, now I'm really getting in too deep. AS my pics should be here (I hope) today, let me just say one thing. I've located this kiln on one of best kiln spots on the planet, or at least my area, it get sun just about all day long and very hot in the summer, so a solar kiln would most likely work our great for me. But what I really trying to do here is just help the solar kiln and speed up the seasoning process with extra air flow and wanting to drive those temps up high for many reasons which I'm sure you already know and understand. I don't plan on firing up the heater 24/7, just on weekends and went I get a day off or when I'm just fartin around the house or yard, so yes I will be running it often but not 24/7, the reason being #1 safety and #2 yes the cost as I am very aware that running this kiln will come with some added cost but I should be able to keep it down to a laughable amount $. The kiln now measures enough area to hold 7 cord of wood if stacked 5 ft high, may go to 6 ft and make it 8, cuz that will give me my 4 cords a year for two years and that leave me two separate years to replenish and season more wood. So the cost of speeding things up should be minuscule for an 8 cord stack. Like I also mentioned, I'm behind the 8 ball here on having enough wood for this year, this will just make sure (I hope) that I have plenty for next year and I can relax and just relax and enjoy doing this in my spare time as a hobby that I love doing to keep replenished and keep the heat flowing nicely. Although, after this project and once I'm ahead of the game, I will just use the solar method , but still incorporate the large fan in some way for extra air flow and to remove moisture.
I'm sorry guys, my ;ast post got screwed up some how and it didn't anything I had written. Oh well not writing all that again
Oh ok thanks for the info, been in a few forums and this one is just a bit different, I guess that's what sets "US" apart from the rest, and we're the best!
bbq, do you have access to any Ash or soft Maple? Pine? Those would dry in a year pretty well if stacked in your primo location. I've started (a couple years ago) using more and more Maple, and although it doesn't hold heat or burn as long as Oak, it does a very good job. Just an FYI for the future. No Ash unless I order it up.
I think a hot house with intermittent ventilation would be a good solution.. Have the fan run off a repeat cycle timer for X amount of time during the day when sunny. If you must heat then wood would make the most financial sense..
