Vacutherm iDry input

[PA_Walnut]

PA I love your style!  I so wanted to do that on several occasions!!!!!!!!!

It will set your soul free! ;D:D

[rjwoelk]

Can you dry up to 6x6x8ft 

[Stephen1]

I would dry it. I would like to see how long it takes. 

Can you dry up to 6x6x8ft

[rjwoelk]

According to DH kilns it falls into the same category as pine.
So what time frame would it take to dry, and at what cost.

[K-Guy]

Hi
For timbers that thick, the drying is very slow. It would take months in the kiln. It would better to air dry it down to about 20% and then put it in the kiln for finishing and sterilization. 

[Stephen1]

Syrup season is over and cleaned up.I  am going to move lumber to my klin from the bush. I will bring some timbers down and put them in when I have room, and see how long they take. 
I am looking at metal baskets to fill with firewood. i think there is a market for kiln dried firewood.
Who uses thier kilns for firewood?

[Stephen1]

I had a large amount of ants and dirt in the last load of 34" walnut slabs, so much so, tha the drain hole in the rear of kiln became clogged. I opened the kiln after 9 days to check the load and a huge amount of water was draining out the front door, and out of the kiln. Since then I have re-plumbed the drain on the kiln with a pan and a pump.
In the mean time when I pulled out the load after a total of 12 days I found a small amount of a white fungi on the walnut around 1 of the cavities that had dirt in it. I have brushed it off and vacuumed it off but a small amount remains. 
I'd like to wipe it off with some bleach but I am afraid the bleach will stain the walnut.
Any ideas?

[Just Right]

The day of off loading and setting.  Got it fired up this week and a load has been in there for 4 days now.  At full temp around 160 ish.  Can't wait to see the progress.

Stephen,  maybe some of that house wash stuff for the fungus among your walnut?

[Stephen1]

Stephen,  maybe some of that house wash stuff for the fungus among your walnut?

I'll give that a try. 
I will also see if extra strength vinegar will work

[Just Right]

Let me know how that turns out.  Going to open my kiln today to check progress.

[E-Tex]

i haven't read this post in a while and this may have been covered already....

do the smaller units have the Optional Bladder Press available?
I thought at one time I saw that as an option on the initial unit once they started advertising the unit.  Now I just see it as an option on their largest unit.

Also, for those of you have some i-dry experience so far, do you think the Bladder Press would be a good, or needed, option?  

Thanks

[Glenn1]

I've had the IDry since December and I don't think that the bladder will work with stickers.  The bladder puts tremendous pressure on the boards and I'd be concerned that the stickers would leave indentations into the boards. Especially wood that is lower on the Janka Hardwood scale.  I'm sure that Jim at  Vacutherm will have much more information on the use of bladders with an IDry.  

[Stephen1]

The extra strong Vinegar worked great. cleaned off the fungi and it has not returned.

[Just Right]

That sounds great Stephen.  I have some pecan in the kiln now,  so far hardly any movement.  Should be ready in a day or two and I will post pics.  It was green when it went in.

[WDH]

I have some pecan in the kiln now

What??  .
I am drying some 16/4 now.  I hope yours turns out nice.

[Andries]

@WDH: 16/4 pecan?
How long does it stay in the kiln before you consider signing a landlord and tenants agreement with it?  ;)

[WDH]

It has been air drying for 16 months.  Been in the kiln 2 weeks. As long as I can get it down to about 15%, I will be good with it.  Going over a fireplace as a mantle.  If I am not careful, though, it might move in with me and become a squatter.

[rjwoelk]

Have not heard much from the IDRY guys. How are things going?
Tell us your results.

[samandothers]

If I am not careful, though, it might move in with me and become a squatter.

What!?! letting the   move in!?!  

[Stephen1]

The kiln is doing alright. I am trying to figure the drying costs for the thick slabs. I have people that want to dry green 12/4 cherry and think I should do it for $1.50 a bd ft.
I have dried some green walnut slabs 8/4- 12/4 and they take around 3 weeks .they were sawn last fall. So frozen all winter, not much drying happens in the north for 6 months.
4/4 -5/4 dries as fast as they predicted.
I would like to hear what other guys are charging.

[rjwoelk]

I was quoted 1.75 bf per week.
8/4  would be 4.50 if it takes 3 weeks.

[tule peak timber]

Respectfully ....yikes !

[rjwoelk]

That was my reaction also.
1500 bf  per load .

[Tom the Sawyer]

You might consider putting sub-meters on your kiln supply lines.  If you know the quantities (cost) of electricity, water, etc., it will be easier to set prices and not run at a deficit.

[YellowHammer]

Power consumption is listed as 6kWh average.  With an average published 2018 electrical cost in Alabama of approximately .1259 $/kWh, that comes to 6000/1000*24*.1259= $18.13 per day or $543 per month or $6,516 per year in electricity costs.

It also costs $1,500 for a 2 year service contract.  

I have talked to one user a couple months ago who said my original calculations were pretty close, based on the manufacturers advertised numbers, at least in his case.