The Forestry Forum

Hey guys, relatively new here but I just had a quick question. I know it's essential to air dry (both for hydro savings, and to prevent lumber failures) before going into a kiln, but I know 5/4 and 4/4 is a bit more flexible. 

I'm building a Solar kiln and I'm wondering if anyones had experience with putting black walnut 5/4 directly in a solar kiln right off the mill. 

Good idea? Bad idea? Experiences? It will be pretty well temperature regulated (90f until under 35%, 100f during 20-34% and 120f until under 8%. I don't want to get impatient and honeycomb the crap out of it!

I have some black walnut I slabbed into 3" for air drying 6 months ago, and won't be putting it in my solar kilns for a while.  Experimenting / learning on Doug Fir, Redwood, then red oak and white oak, and last of all would be my precious black walnut.

Yes put it in the kiln straight off but follow a schedule to do it correctly.