It is the question we are trying to answer with the experimental stacks that people have.
My Hillbilly solar kiln test
- Thread starter Babaganoosh
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
- Status
I think you missed the boat for this year, the burning season is almost here and the prime months to do it are summer time. I don't think wrapping anything up today will have it ready for this season.
That being said, if it's not going to be ready for this season anyway you could always try it and see what happens.
That being said, if it's not going to be ready for this season anyway you could always try it and see what happens.
ah ok. I am very curious about this.
Maybe. I think I will join in and see how this goes.
I mean its not like the wood was going to be ready and as I am reading this... we have good warm days here in Virginia well into November. I have Aug, Sep, Nov, to see how things go.
Heck if I can get wood ready or dang near it that would be great.
I am also curious how well it will work once the temps start to drop. If I can get temps into the 60s on a cool December day that would be a +.
In a true kiln, oak (firewood splits) will dry from 52 to 20 MC% in 260 hours (11 days) at 140F. I know one who has achieved similar results stacking in the hot attic of a barn in summer. So, yes, you can shave the time to season very dramatically, if you get things dialed in right.
This 'kiln' is not dialed in right.
Cherry dries pretty quickly. If you can increase the temperature and airflow through the stacks you might get burnable wood in January. Got an empty greenhouse with a fan?
You have failed to understand the process the wood is not wrapped tight there must be a standoff of the wrap from the wood to allow condensation to collect at the top and drain down the sides ( like a triangle or Cone). It does work, additionally the heated wood loses heat quite slowly in comparison to the rather rapid rise and fall of the external conditions. At the moment I have apx 2/3 of cord of marginal wood in my small garage - it is in the high 60's out right now but still close to 80 Inside. This with a 30 inch screen door. I use a fan just to move the air around and get some exchange through the screen door. Days that are at least mid 70's with Sun will have the interior of the garage at 100+or more. I can feel the difference of humidity in and out the first few days of a new stack being placed in there. Of course days that the external humidity is way high slows the process, but no more than a conventional stack sitting outside in the elements.
Carry on-- there have been many many post on how to cure, season wood faster, the fastest for the average wood burner is -- single stacked, wind, sun cover top only if you want and time depending on type of wood. I burned lots of 6 month css wood and stayed warm my stove did not know the difference and neither did I until I found this site.
And now I rotate into a woodshed and burn 3-4 year old wood only and yes I stay warmer burn less wood and have about 4 years worth now and I work full time and am 67 years old. Put your big boy britches on. Boys and Girls
When you first burn three year air dried wood it will be like the first time you had sex. You will want to kill yourself for what you have been missing.
The preliminary reports that I have been hearing are saying 2 months in full summer sun, I don't recall what wood species that was though...
One frustrating thing about my property is its bordered by trees so to get sustained sun I would have to stack in middle of my yard.
Last year I was greatly concerned with less than dry wood from a supplier that I was not to happy with, I needed wood in the 18"-20" and ended up with 22"-24" huge chunks that fit corner to corner in my stove. But from August right up to November it ended up drting decently and burning fine without sizzling and steaming. Occasionally I would throw some wood bricks in with the chunkier ones.
This year got 16-18" and should be good. Wish I had more sun to speed up the process
Last year I was greatly concerned with less than dry wood from a supplier that I was not to happy with, I needed wood in the 18"-20" and ended up with 22"-24" huge chunks that fit corner to corner in my stove. But from August right up to November it ended up drting decently and burning fine without sizzling and steaming. Occasionally I would throw some wood bricks in with the chunkier ones.
This year got 16-18" and should be good. Wish I had more sun to speed up the process
Except for...it works!
If you google the test on that other site you'll find that the condensation goes away for the most part after a few weeks, at least the heavy condensation. The other factor that plays in here vs a wood stack being rained on everyday is the temp. 140* (plus) internal temps changes things
That's great - but situations differ for different people. There are two factors that are in your process that some might not have enough of at some point - time, and space. I do as you, as I am lucky to have the space and am a couple years ahead on time (although I've taken most of this year so far off - time to get at it). So adding some kiln effect when you don't have the space for 4 years of wood or are just getting at it so you don't have 3 years to wait for it or are sheltered from the wind - well, nothing wrong with that, and hardly stupid.
Yeah ideally just stack and let it sit. However I have access to lots of shrink wrap and I get out of work at 1pm. I've got a lot of time on my hands. I'm also a tinkerer by nature so I've really got nothing to lose.
I think this would help the people who have wood that's borderline for an upcoming season. It might drive out that extra moisture and put the wood into the shed this year versus next year.
I think it's also good for 1st and second year burners. It will give them that edge on getting ahead.
I will add that I've cut a few small vent holes near the top to let out some extra moisture and water vapor. Probably lose a bit of heat but it will get more moisture out during the day.
I think this would help the people who have wood that's borderline for an upcoming season. It might drive out that extra moisture and put the wood into the shed this year versus next year.
I think it's also good for 1st and second year burners. It will give them that edge on getting ahead.
I will add that I've cut a few small vent holes near the top to let out some extra moisture and water vapor. Probably lose a bit of heat but it will get more moisture out during the day.
@owingsia
Maybe you can find a more suitable answer to your question by researching over the internet. This is not a new concept and has proven an effective one. Is it effective enough to meet your standards? I don't know but if I were in a bind, I would throw one together and go for it. If you are not able to stockpile a rotating 3-year supply, this might be a viable solution for you. I have an old portable garage frame sitting here that I would use if need be and know from experience that it will hold 4 chords. It is the small one that Harbor Freight used to sell.
I have some aspen here that I downed in February 2015 and it is now ready for this season, just been sitting in the open. No matter the specie, if you split it small enough it will season more rapidly than if you go large.
Maybe you can find a more suitable answer to your question by researching over the internet. This is not a new concept and has proven an effective one. Is it effective enough to meet your standards? I don't know but if I were in a bind, I would throw one together and go for it. If you are not able to stockpile a rotating 3-year supply, this might be a viable solution for you. I have an old portable garage frame sitting here that I would use if need be and know from experience that it will hold 4 chords. It is the small one that Harbor Freight used to sell.
I have some aspen here that I downed in February 2015 and it is now ready for this season, just been sitting in the open. No matter the specie, if you split it small enough it will season more rapidly than if you go large.
I believe a top vent was tried and it actually slowed drying due to lowering the kiln temps
I put 2 small ones in on each end. It's definitely not getting as hot.
However there's almost zero built up condensation.
However there's almost zero built up condensation.
- Status
Similar threads
