The Forestry Forum

Is it better to build several small kilns (1000bf) or one big kiln (5000bf)?

On 5000bf size, the panel/collector should be 500 sq ft?

Is there an advantage to using the roof as a panel as well as the south wall?

If I add a 12000btu propane heater as an auxillary heat source in a 14x16 building it should get temps around 110 or so (best guess)  would it actually be that much help?  Solar temps should get close to that....right?

To reach bug killing temps, some form of heat source will be required.  The high temps are at end of cycle and held for 24 hours?

Any of you familiar with the old wood fired tobacco barns?  Why would this not work for drying wood also?  A brick oven outside to feed slabs to, heat conducted via piping inside building, excess heat regulated by opening doors or windows?  I guess the excess moisture would just be vented off.

Thanks ya'll

  Where ya plan on building this thing, home or at yer Dad's???  I wanna check ya out occasionally.

  Didja check out the update on the events forum, about the get together???

FLDH:  The kiln is going in at my dad's at one end of the 16 x 40 pole barn I b buildin.  I've got most of a small solar one built already.

I'm lookin for a date for that swamp thang...I may try to go to LA for a Dr Gene seminar...all that amounts to is I don't know if'n I'll be around for the swamp thang dependin on when it is.

There will be pixs of pole barn and kiln but the digital crapped out so I've got to get them developed and scanned.

Do you always answer questions with questions? :D

Have a good one!

  Yep, my accountant says that's the best way to talk to the IRS. Confuses the h*ll out of 'em. :D :D :D

  I might be lookin to parlay some space in your kiln for some Heart Pine, pervidin ya have some occasional space. We been gatherin up Planers and edgers and such ;D ;)

  Post your dates on the events thread and we will see if everybody can work around what you might need. ;D

Bigdogpc we got some new ones of them barns here .Not the flue cured but the dark fired ones . Could you make a fire box out of a big steel tank and leave your load door to the outside?