How to Make Cheap Refrigerator Wood Kiln for Woodturners

In this video I am making a cheap Wood kiln from an old refrigerator.
I have been using one for some time now and it work great, it is easy to learn to control the temp. and moisture, Woodturners can use this after rough turning, and to dry out smaler pices of woodblanks.
Enjoy the video, and feel free to comment or ask questions!.
Have a great day and stay safe .
www.bybrandstrup.dk

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Please Comment, and tell me what you think of the turning. And please subscribe and hit the notification bell, that way you don't miss any of my videos!!!! I wish you and your family a great day, And stay Safe !!!!!

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

😀

[@richardkirkham8064]

Fantastic bowl and video

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Thanks for watching .. stay safe

[@emgiwoodworks]

A very good idea indeed. Thnx for sharing. I'm surprised that a light bulb is sufficient to heat it. Now the hunt is on for an old fridge!

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Hi Leo, the old type of light bulb generate alot of heat, and in a closed space a 100W can get the temp. up to almost 50 degree celcius.. Thanks for the comment and stay safe 😀

[@seeatle11]

Great idea. Beer brewers do the same. Look for an STC1000 controller on eBay for about A$20. This has a thermometer which allows for exact temperature control. Of course in brewing a working refrigerator is used so you can cool as well

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Sounds cool with that controller.. thank you for sharing .. Have a great day and stay safe ..👍😀😀

[@j.hankinson7803]

Thanks for posting. I’ve thought about one of these in the past but decided to make a vacuum kiln instead. That kind is so fast it’s like magic. Wet wood to dry in 3 days with minimal cracking of checking and never above body temperature.

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

That sound awesome, I have to look in to that some day .. Thank you for sharing .. Stay safe 😀😀🎄

[@Hencley]

Looks easy enough

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

It is 😁 and it works great 😁 thanks for watching. Have a great Day 😁

[@TheTinyWorkshop]

Thank you for this clear explanation. I just don't have room for it, so I'll have to come up with something else.

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Try and look at this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYrSmIahjbaae9k, i startet with one, can take 3 to 4 bowls at the time I used a cardboard box for moving that dont take a lot of space :-) i also use the microwave oven a lot .. :-)

[@TheTinyWorkshop]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP Thank you for thinking along. I had already seen the RickTurns box. But I don't like the idea of putting a lamp in a cardboard box for a few days because of the fire hazard. I'll try the microwave once, but it won't fit large bowls.

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

@@TheTinyWorkshop The lamp dont go in the Box it is in the tunnel outside of the box no way near the cardboard :-) last thing i know of is Silica gel .. that is a save as it gets :-) www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Silica%20Gel%2010%20Kg&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-154051-335098-4&mkcid=2&keyword=silica%20gel%2010%20kg&crlp=435228471730_&MT_ID=584526&geo_id=32251&rlsatarget=kwd-505517793025&adpos=&device=c&mktype=&loc=1005121&poi=&abcId=1140016&cmpgn=1537721926&sitelnk=&adgroupid=60349726724&network=g&matchtype=e&gclid=CjwKCAjw26H3BRB2EiwAy32zhcPrQn2ux_TwVpanq7wVU5Aie-3La-uQyyZci2T8mzWrfDnTJnvxdBoCyhIQAvD_BwE

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/epLEhZV6ibqmnZI you can see it here :-)

[@TheTinyWorkshop]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP Thanks Kim. I was thinking about this way of working. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rorQaWCqlrtsb5o

[@missteeturns]

I have an old fridge waiting disposal. Now I'm keeping it. 😀

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Nice :-) it works very well i have 2 and planing for a 3th when i find one some day .. did just make 15 large blanks i need to rough turn to fill them up .. they are running empty :-) thanks for the comment have a nice day .. 😀😀

[@mariorapi2313]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP do you use only one lamp? and how long did it take you to remove the moisture?

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

@@mariorapi2313 Yes i 100 W lamp, i have a jar of water in the fridge the first 1 to 2 weeks så the moisture dont leave the wood to fast, after that i remove the jar and it take 2 to 3 weeks to dry the wood .

[@MOlsen-nf8lk]

Nice :)

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Thanks 😁

[@WHATAGIRLWANTS2009]

I think that rather than use a light bulb I will use an inexpensive de-humidifier rod like in a gun safe. And maybe a small fan like on a computer. Similar to the ones they use on smokers. I know it's more money, but I think it will give me greater control and safety. Thanks

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

That is a good tip.. thank you for watching my video .. stay safe and have a great day .. 👍😀😀😀😀

[@alirezafaraji3402]

Could you please explain more about the temperature, humidity and the time and their changes when drying process happens!

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

I start with a high humidity around 70% (have a bowl of water in the fridge) and 30 degree for 14 days and then i turn op the heat op to 40 degree for 2 to 3 weeks and normally the humidity end op at around 10 %, i normally have a test piece i test by cutting over and give the hole lot a ekstra week if it is not down in humidity .. thanks for watching .. stay safe

[@willtauxe6280]

great video! any advice regarding the types of light bulb to use?

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

I use the old kind of light bulb, I had some around, and som i found at markets, they generate alot of heat, not like the new type.. but you need to find some that generate heat (Led dont work) i have been told some use a inferred heater, but i dont know if it can be in a closed space.. so please be carefull ..

[@crocuscreekwoodworks]

I too have built a Wood Kiln and I have a brand new one coming soon. I am having great success with my build. I have a few videos on my channel if you'd like to check them out. My bowls and platters are drying in 5-12 days most of the time but Oak and Hickory take a bit longer. Thanks for sharing.

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Thanks i will look at the stay safe

[@chrischarlton1033]

Thanks for sharing, I have seen a few of these now and they all use an electric fan, do you find without a fan works well enough? Thanks again

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Yes it work fine without the fan .. thanks for watching .. stay safe

[@ladyt2588]

The top hole cover keeps moisture when closed. Does the 2 bottom hole covers increase temperature when closed?

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Yes, if you close the two bottom onec the temp will raise, but to get som flow inside dont close both all the way you need a small crack.. and be carefull not to get the temp to high then the wood will crack. thanks for watching and stay safe ..

[@Haunold]

I happen to be in the process of building a similar kiln, hence my questions: (1) Do you use an electronic controller to control temperature and humidity, or do you just do that with the holes in the wall? (2) Do you always completely fill your refrigerator with blanks or is there a problem with cracks if there are only a few blanks inside? I learned this from other videos. Thanks to Denmark!

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

I have a temp. and humidity control but it is manual controlled via the holes, I always try to fill it, if I dont it tent to crack the bowl more and I add water in a jar to keep the humidity up in the first 2 weeks, so it dont dry to fast.. if I only have a few I start at a lower temp 30 degrees instead of 40 and then slowly take up the temp.. I do have a plane of adding electronic controlled temp. www.ebay.de/itm/Inkbird-ITC-308-temperature-controller-230V-AC-for-heater-cooler-C-F-pre-wired/182639373988?hash=item2a8627aea4:g:9dsAAOSwMvtZUc5s Thank you for watching.. Have a great day and stay safe 😀🎄

[@ajahnov]

This method really works? Why you don't use dehumidifier and fan? Thanks for answer!

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Yes it work great, i have not yet needed af fan or a dehumidifier, it takes air in below the bulb heat, the air raise to the top when heatet, and I let out heat and moisture with the top hole, I will add temp. control so I can start at a little lover temp. (30 Degree + a big jar of water) and then go up after 2 weeks (40 to 43 degree no water) .. seems to work better with less crack.. i know a lot of woodturners that use this metode .. thanks you for watching .. stay safe .. 😀

[@ajahnov]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP thanks a lot 🙂

[@TheRealBFG]

I like the idea, but when you start letting the moisture out, how far do you open the outlet and how much longer does it take, until you get your desired percentage?

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

The temp is easier to control than the moisture, after around 14 days I gradually open the top until i have around 15 to 20 moisture (it is like 2 to 3 mm at the time) if it go down to fast put in a glass of water.. .. and then I hold the temp at 40 degree, after some time it will come down to around 15 and will stay there even though the moisture in the wood go lower.... i ofc also wieghs the wood and keep track that way but first after the moisture have settled at around 15, and then I use the microwave to speed up the proces somtimes.. 1 and a half min at 900 w and let it cool down, i do that untill it stop losing wieght. amd then keep it in the kiln with the 100 W bulb over night .. that greatly speed things up ..

[@TheRealBFG]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP Thank you for the info. I think I will copy your idea and see if it works. 👍

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

@@TheRealBFG Cool, let me know how it turn out for you 😀

[@TheRealBFG]

@@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP I will certainly do that! Thanks.

[@NolanTyrrell]

Is that a combination temperature and moisture meter? Where would I source such an item?

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

hi Nolan, Thank you for watching 😀 i got the temp. and moisture meter from WISH.com 😀 they are very cheap. like 2 $.. Have a great day and stay safe 😀😀

[@crackerjack3359]

Thanks but I don't have room for this. Instead I use the drying cycle on our convection oven in the kitchen. Three one hour cycles and a 12" bowl, at 1' thick , drys from 30% to 10%. I use three cycles to avoid cracking that sometimes happens with one three hour cycle. The temperatue of the drying cycle is 140deg F. Montana Wood Art.

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

I have to try that with the convection oven an see if i can get it to work.. Thank you for sharing 😁😁 and thank you for watching 😁 stay safe and have a great day..