Purchasing used kilns

[SawmillSylvia]

Where would you all recommend I look to purchase a used dry kiln?

I keep my eye on the Sawmill Exchange site, but is there anywhere else I can be looking?

[tacks Y]

Are you looking for a small solar kiln? I see big kilns listed on auctions. Never saw a small one for sale. Maybe FB Market place? Where are you from?

[K-Guy]

I'd love to sell you a new one but I understand.  ;D

You can check Ex-factory, Carolina Machinery and Ebay.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

when buying a used dehumidifier kiln, appreciate that long periods of non-use is hard on the compressor.  So, it may be necessary to have early maintenance on the compressor after you buy it.  This cost could be over $800 to $1200 minimum for the smallest NYLE unit.  Plus the repair person likely must come to your place rather than do it in his shop, so add travel costs.

I have seen many used kiln structures being sold.  Commercial walls, roofing and framing seem to have good resale possibilities.

Overall, used kilns are possible but be careful.

[Trackerbuddy]

What kind of discount vs new are you expecting to find.  What size kiln are you looking for?

[SawmillSylvia]

Are you looking for a small solar kiln? I see big kilns listed on auctions. Never saw a small one for sale. Maybe FB Market place? Where are you from?

I live in Haines Alaska. 
A solar kiln would be a nice addition due to our high electric and fuel costs, but I don't think a solar kiln will be reliable enough here for what I need. And I would rather keep it running year-round.

[SawmillSylvia]

I'd love to sell you a new one but I understand.  ;D

You can check Ex-factory, Carolina Machinery and Ebay.

Great, thank you!
And I might be interested in a new one. You can definitely try to sell me one. 

[SawmillSylvia]

when buying a used dehumidifier kiln, appreciate that long periods of non-use is hard on the compressor.  So, it may be necessary to have early maintenance on the compressor after you buy it.  This cost could be over $800 to $1200 minimum for the smallest NYLE unit.  Plus the repair person likely must come to your place rather than do it in his shop, so add travel costs.

I have seen many used kiln structures being sold.  Commercial walls, roofing and framing seem to have good resale possibilities.

Overall, used kilns are possible but be careful.

Thank you! Good thoughts, I appreciate it.

[SawmillSylvia]

What kind of discount vs new are you expecting to find.  What size kiln are you looking for?

4000 bd ft a month (soft wood) would get me started. At this point it would be a pain to handle more than 8000bd ft a month, although I would expect to be ready for that in a couple of years.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

It is a good idea when building kiln #1 to consider where #2 and #3 will go, so that #1 is not in the wrong place or facing the wrong direction.

Because a kiln (structure and power equipment like the DH) are tax deductions for a business, even in Schedule C, that lowers the price.

If it were me, I would buy new.  Then build your own building or use a reefer, etc.  you do not make money when the kiln is not running.

[SawmillSylvia]

It is a good idea when building kiln #1 to consider where #2 and #3 will go, so that #1 is not in the wrong place or facing the wrong direction.

Because a kiln (structure and power equipment like the DH) are tax deductions for a business, even in Schedule C, that lowers the price.

If it were me, I would buy new.  Then build your own building or use a reefer, etc.  you do not make money when the kiln is not running.

Makes sense. Thank you.

[YellowHammer]

As important, time consuming and generally more expensive than buying the kiln machine itself is building or buying a correctly insulated, constructed and efficient kiln chamber.  

As an example, some people cringe when their home heating system with heat strips, turns on for a few minutes and they see it in their electric bill.  DH kilns use heat strips for supplemental heat, some with strips of the same size or larger than in a house, sometimes turn on for hours, and when they kick on, the wheel in the power meter spins off the peg.

If you are wanting to make money kiln drying, buy a new kiln unit and spend the time and money build or buy a good chamber.  With a kiln, you can pay up front, or pay later.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

As usual, YellowHammer is right on target.  So, consider a supplemental heat system using natural gas or even propane.  Also, remember that the dehumidifier has a minimum operating temperature...somewhere around 70 F.

The 450 kW is a good number, but you can lower this by air drying prior to kiln drying.  Within will cut you energy bill in half or better.  Plus, with air dried instead of green, you will dry 20 to 25 loads a year instead of 10.  Depending on what species, you can easily increase the value of the kiln dried wood, compared to green, by $250 per mbf...sometimes $800.  So, the increasing the number of loads per year has a huge payback.

[Southside]

The NYLE dehumidifier won't kick on until the kiln reaches 80°F 

[PA_Walnut]

With a kiln, you can pay up front, or pay later.

@YellowHammer  speaks much words of truth! Many kiln units become available that have little or no use/hours on them, as users realize that buying the unit is just the beginning of the endeavor.

I took the road less travelled, and built a structure rather than using a reefer or container (I wanted something that front loaded and looked good). The concrete is super-insulated, as well as the structure. It stays warm inside for a week or more when turned off. It took me a year and countless hours building my L200 chamber, but now it runs great and turns wood into drier wood, culminating in dollars. Good luck!

[YellowHammer]

@PA_Walnut That is a SWEET kiln.  I know how much effort went into it, and its first class.  

[Trackerbuddy]

What I don't see is kilns heated by an outdoor wood furnace.  You can use PEX up to 200 degrees. Add a couple heat exchangers.  I can't imagine using electricity or propane.

[SawmillSylvia]

A wood boiler is certainly my preference, but my understanding is they can be more difficult to get a consistent product. (Is this true, all you folks with time on the ground?). I need consistency and reliability.

My thought was to start with a smaller kiln similar to the iDry or Nyle products. Once I fully pivot my product line and get my cash flow, work force, and market stabilized, (and figure out what the heck I'm doing), I'll go for a second kiln heated with a wood boiler. I am thinking to have multiple smaller units so that I can sort species. Of course, that increases my cost of sales. But no matter what, I would rather start with a smaller unit to keep things moving, so I don't have product stacking up too much. And, I currently have a supply issue, hence needing to pivot to a lower volume, added-value product.

I've got to come up with a plan quick though. Lots to figure out. There are low interest loans available now that I'd like to jump on, and prices for imported timber products in Alaska have doubled in the last six weeks or so. The building business is booming here, which is bazaar, but I guess everyone wants to build their dream of a cabin in the woods these days. If I'm ever going to make the move, now is the time. But it's a lot to figure out, and I really should buy whatever I can before December 31.

Sure appreciate all your thoughts and experience.

[Southside]

Take my advice for what you are paying for it, but this is not normal, and not sustainable.  Things will change, maybe tomorrow, maybe next year, who knows, but it will change.  I would be very hesitant to borrow money betting on the current situation to remain stable long term.  

[PA_Walnut]

@PA_Walnut That is a SWEET kiln.  I know how much effort went into it, and its first class.  

Thank you @YellowHammer . It works great and looks good (even at night with the soft glow of the LED string under the eves...makes a soft light entire area). You can see my celebratory stout on top the pile there too! :D;D

I believe it's an effective "advertisement" also. When customers see it, or I let them peek in, it represents that I care about our product. It instills confidence in buyers that it's a REAL kiln and not simply a box fan, a few sheets of polyiso, dehumidifier and a hope. 

[Southside]

With the lights on it looks like a scene from "Close Encounters of The Third Kind"  :D

[PA_Walnut]

I've had some "near alien" after-hours experiences at that location with a few pours of bourbon.  8) :D ;D :D