Thread: Mini Solar Kiln

Gave the kiln a real try today.....
Plenty of space for veneers, I lay the veneers with a slope so I get even airflow through the stack, made up some baffles to direct air flow, then closed it up and watched the temp rise, the day was bright sunshine, outside max temp of about 25°C and kiln got to about 48°C, veneers were about 17% and in about 5 hrs was down to 8%, I let things cool down from here, I'm not real sure which actual species the mango is but the MC comparison chart I have lists 3, it could have an actual MC of 7/11 or 8 so it should be close enough
plenty of room for veneers.JPGrear of stack.JPGairflow baffles.JPG
hot airflow baffles.JPGwith the glass front.JPG



Pete

Pete

It look like an interesting set up. Have you considered including some insulation? Some polystyrene sheets and some alluminium foil over the top would be cheap enough.

What sort of fan will you use? I expect some thing very small would be quite sufficient. I think distributing the air over the whole kiln is the harder issue and in particular forcing the hotter air from the top back down to the bottom.

A charge of timber that doesn't occupy the whole kiln also presents problems as the air is reluctant to pass through the timber. It will always take the easiest path.

Having said all that, you had amazing success. I would not have expect the timber to dry that quickly. It must be because the material is so thin.

Excellent project. I can see people dismantling their showers all over Australia as we speak.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Pete

It look like an interesting set up. Have you considered including some insulation? Some polystyrene sheets and some alluminium foil over the top would be cheap enough.

What sort of fan will you use? I expect some thing very small would be quite sufficient. I think distributing the air over the whole kiln is the harder issue and in particular forcing the hotter air from the top back down to the bottom.

A charge of timber that doesn't occupy the whole kiln also presents problems as the air is reluctant to pass through the timber. It will always take the easiest path.

Having said all that, you had amazing success. I would not have expect the timber to dry that quickly. It must be because the material is so thin.

Excellent project. I can see people dismantling their showers all over Australia as we speak.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul,
Insulation might happen at some point later, the fan is reclaimed out of an above the stove rangehood, it's two speed as well, a bit swisho, seems to be quite sufficient, to direct the airflow thru the stack I use baffles or boards to block off gaps.
From green to dry can be as little as 2 weeks for thin mat'l, the mango in this case only needed a little bit of drying so was all good


Pete