Solar kiln for hardwoods part deux

[Dfw245]

please read post number 1 it Describes how to putthe kiln together, it also says u shaped vents.. the vents are for the warm moistur laden air to excape and the fresh air come up from the bottom. You may see moisture the first few days.. after that you should be good as long as your venting enouth air. you need to check the temp of the kiln.. you want it like 140 degrees in there..

if you put it together correctly you will have no issues..

It's been a while, but we last spoke about this kiln building. Well, life got in the way what can I say. Well I know it's September and nearing October so most aren't considering this anymore. However here in the south...In TX, temps are still well over 90F. This entire week is actually mid to high 90s with temps in the mid 80s not slated to be our avg until late October or so. I still have a little time to do at least SOME seasoning. It's been in the heat all this time so I don't need alot. Maybe a month of seasoning left.

Now for my question, I'm putting the kiln together and was wondering if it can be feasible without the extra wood frame that peaks at the top. Is it necessary to have that wood frame? Or can I just use the wood racks?

 

[johneh]

As long as you vent the top to allow the hot moist air to escape you are good to go
Vents should be adjustable to allow for heating conditions. The hotter the kiln
gets the more you want them open the cooler a little less vent. You are trying to
control or maximize the amount of moisture you are pulling from the wood

 

[Dfw245]

As long as you vent the top to allow the hot moist air to escape you are good to go
Vents should be adjustable to allow for heating conditions. The hotter the kiln
gets the more you want them open the cooler a little less vent. You are trying to
control or maximize the amount of moisture you are pulling from the wood

I just know he mentioned something about not allowing the moisture to drop onto the wood. Maybe if I just did a flat clear square of tarp and vented the top and one on each end, I'd think that would do it.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

It's been a while, but we last spoke about this kiln building. Well, life got in the way what can I say. Well I know it's September and nearing October so most aren't considering this anymore. However here in the south...In TX, temps are still well over 90F. This entire week is actually mid to high 90s with temps in the mid 80s not slated to be our avg until late October or so. I still have a little time to do at least SOME seasoning. It's been in the heat all this time so I don't need alot. Maybe a month of seasoning left.

Now for my question, I'm putting the kiln together and was wondering if it can be feasible without the extra wood frame that peaks at the top. Is it necessary to have that wood frame? Or can I just use the wood racks?

If your talking abot the wood at the top.. its not mandatory to have, but it does make things alot easier.. 1 it helps shed the water and less gets into the kiln. . 2 It makes the kiln vent more evenly and the more evenly it vents the more constant the wood will be.drying in the kiln. Having that extra space at the top is a benefit. Its really not hard to make and really the whole kiln should take a couple hours to put together correctly..

 

[Dfw245]

If your talking abot the wood at the top.. its not mandatory to have, but it does make things alot easier.. 1 it helps shed the water and less gets into the kiln. . 2 It makes the kiln vent more evenly and the more evenly it vents the more constant the wood will be.drying in the kiln. Having that extra space at the top is a benefit. Its really not hard to make and really the whole kiln should take a couple hours to put together correctly..

Understandable. I'm just not a crafter/builder. I'll screw a couple things here and there but drilling or sawing is out of my scope. I dont even own a saw or a drill. (I have an impact driver) so if I can get away without it, I'll try it that way

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Understandable. I'm just not a crafter/builder. I'll screw a couple things here and there but drilling or sawing is out of my scope. I dont even own a saw or a drill. (I have an impact driver) so if I can get away without it, I'll try it that way

if it was earlier in the season maybe.. if your short on time and need the wood to get as dry as possible.. Id probably build the best kiln I can and skip cutting any corners.. if your going to do it.. why not try and get the best results as possible.. also the first builds are for learning.. so learn to cut wood and screw.. not that hard..