OWB Heated Dry kiln

[barbender]

Would it be feasible to build a kiln using an outdoor boiler to provide heat, with a combination of a radiant concrete slab and maybe baseboard, and use an air conditioner coil to pull the moisture out?  I know there are issues in controlling the drying rate, but I'd like to hear some ideas on this.

[wheelinguy]

Sounds like a solid idea to me, I stored a bunch of freshly sawn cherry and maple on my radiant slab and I know another woodworker who does.  That alone seems to cut the air drying time substantially, but add in a dehumidifier and i think you could be onto something.  Waste from the shop and from milling to feed the boiler= free heat. ;D

[wdncno]

There is a guy in Wilberforce, Ontario who runs a planing operation (Hilary's Trim and Flooring) who uses an OWB to run his kiln.  I think he uses radiators and fans, but not positive on that.  Seems to worrk well for him.

[Den Socling]

You can definitely use an outdoor boiler. Add fans and radiators. Add a control valve for the water and you have a kiln.

[red oaks lumber]

i run my kiln using my owb for heat.
my chamber holds 15,000 b.ft. i have one 200,000 btu hotwater heat exchanger hanging down from the ceiling that is controled by a termestat . my kiln unit itself is a nyle l 500. i have no problem getting my kiln temp up to 135 deg. even in the winter time, i have not turned the electric heat from the unit itself on for a couple of yrs.

[Ga_Boy]

I ran a kiln for about three years using a Heatmor OWB to hear the kiln.  I used a powered vent fan to exhaust the excess moisture.  Like Den said, you will need a control valve to regulate the temperature.