Solar Wood Drying Kiln Plans

This design is based on 25 years of research and development on the solar drying of lumber in the united.

Solar wood drying kiln plans. A solar kiln is the simplest and safest way to dry green wood quickly. The following procedures apply to drying in a solar kiln. The objective of this fact sheet is to give a basic understanding of solar drying of lumber and its elements from the point of practical applications. Unlike air drying it ll dry wood to the moisture level needed for interior use.

I viewed the wwgoa video logs to lumber and i m interested in building a solar kiln. Constructing and operating a small solar heater lumber dryer paul bois national wood drying specialist. Kiln drying lumber is a simple cost effective method recommended for anyone who wants to increase profits by selling dried lumber. Virginia tech solar kiln design the solar kiln described in this publication was designed constructed and tested at virginia tech.

The kiln is simple to construct and utilizes a passive solar collector four insulated walls and an insulated floor. Kiln drying of lumber requires some attention. Wood mizer dehumidification and solar wood kilns range from 300 to 35 000 board feet capacity for drying lumber. Three options are shown above.

We constructed this nifty 8x8x12 passive solar kiln. Kiln dried wood typically sells for a third more than green lumber and eliminates the need for. The roof is made of clear greenhouse rated corrugated polyethylene. Publication describing virginia tech s solar kiln construction and operation 2000 board ft kiln plans pdf 16kb.

Air dry 1 inch lumber 60 to 90 days in a breezy warm not too humid place to reach 20 moisture. A homemade solar lumber kiln. Of a solar heated lumber dry kiln that is designed to be inexpensive to construct and simple to operate. Solar kiln plans construction and operational information.

And boy does it work not to mention save money. Solar kiln plans and dimensions september 3 2009 by reader submitted filed under blog plans and projects woodshop projects woodworking projects woodworking q a. Minus the drying equipment a shed kiln is just an insulated storage space with a host of possible uses. This is 2nd generation design that has been tested and produces good results.

Better still we developed a plan for our kiln so you can build one just like it. Information on designing and building a solar wood drying kiln. When planning your kiln shed size which is determined by how much lumber you plan on drying per load and door location are the first things to consider. For interior use however lumber must be kiln dried to a moisture content of 7 to avoid splitting or warping in use.

Because the wood is protected from the elements this solar kiln offers more control with much less chance of defects than air drying provides.