HOW WE BUILT OUR SOLAR KILN! Will it work?

[@DustySplinters]

I had a solar dry kiln here years ago and the one tip I can offer is to get it Air tight. That way you can shut it tight while the heat builds at first, then open a vent a little each day to release the hot wet air. Then when the wood is nearing final dryness, you shut it air tight and leave it that way so that any remaining moisture can wick out and equalize the wood. You never want the surface moisture to get too dry. About -2% from the core or you will case harden. Lots of luck with the kiln.

[@rouspeter]

Nice job! One recommendation. You should have lined the floor with a layer of thick plastic sheet before putting down the crushed stone. It is amazing how much moisture wicks up from the ground. The ground will never dry since it is contiguous with the surrounding ground - the moisture just keeps flowing in. You can still seal it though. Put down a layer of thin insulating foam, then the layer of 10-mil (minimum) plastic, then another layer of thin insulating foam and finally another layer of crushed stone. You need the insulating foam to keep the plastic from being perforated by the stone. Even a tiny hole in the plastic will allow a lot of moisture through. If you don't buy plastic material that is large enough to cover the floor without seams, then be sure to use purpose-made sealing tape for concrete plastic underlayment - needed to form a perfect, permanent seal. Enjoy! typical products - just for reference - other companies make similar: Reflectix R-21 Attic Wall Unfaced Reflective Roll Insulation (50-sq ft 24-in W x 25-ft L) Reflectix 2-in x 30-ft Reflective Insulation Tape ... or ... Americover White Vapor Tape Americover 10 Mil Clear Dura-Skrim Reinforced Plastic Sheeting

[@robertm348]

Excellent advice, Scott!

[@craigmouldey2339]

That was the first thing that came to mind for me. Second is a way to vent the evaporating moisture.

[@ChitinaMoose]

same here

[@rhound50]

I wondered the same thing, it seems like the goal of a kiln is retaining heat and keeping moisture out. Sealing and insulating the floor seems like it would make a huge difference in both of these as well as some kind of dehumidifier to pull the moisture out of the air.

[@rhound50]

I think its awesome that your family works together to keep improving the family business. I know nothing about Northern PA but here in California people love their hardwood slabs for furniture and pay top dollar for large kiln dried slabs of hardwoods like White/Red Oak and Walnut, maybe that could be something to look into for additional business now that you have a working kiln. I have never built a kiln but is there a reason you didn't seal and raise the floor? As an avid backpacker I can tell you that sleeping up off the ground on a piece of foam or inflatable mattress makes a huge difference keeping warm. Also seems like an unsealed floor would allow moisture to get in from the ground, especially in a place like PA where you get a decent amount of precipitation year round.

[@merldewitt1969]

If you build another kiln drying room. Look into negative pressure (Vacuum) room kiln. With lower pressure, you lower the point of boiling of water. This will allow lower heat to go much further in drying out the wood. Nice job ladies.

[@dontfit6380]

I’ve never heard of vacuum room kilns? If your referring to a vacuum kiln you need lots of $$$$$$$$

[@merldewitt1969]

@@dontfit6380 You do not need to achieve full vacuum. The biggest obstacle is getting a sealed room built. Along with sealable doors. Then you are looking at glass for the Solar, plastic will not due. Then a compressor to maintain the lower pressure. Just enough lower pressure to change boiling point by 10 degrees, can make a considerable change in time and fuel if you are doing any aux heat source.

[@sailme2day]

Cool addition to the operation . Sending you some info that is worth reading through :)

[@David-fv7zg]

I suspect you may have a good bit of moisture issues. The floor should be sealed in some way, I would suggest at least a tarp, but an insulated subfloor would be best. Really need to get that thing vented and fans going for circulation ASAP. It may not be an issue now, but you are going to have mold issues. Also, the gutter running on the back wall, has this been disabled? If water runs through it, this will add a significant amount of moisture. You will have to see where your temps go but if you don't hit 130 +, for an extended period, you won't kill the bugs. If you are going to stick with the plastic, line the interior wall as well, this will give you a good bit of added heat. Personally, I would scrap the plastic, put up walls and insulate it. Not trying to be critical, just trying to share from my experiences. You worked hard to get where you are, keep it going.

[@markgreen7701]

Nice job! I build greenhouses. If you guys put another layer of 6 mil plastic on the inside of the walls/framing/studs it will add quite a bit of insulation to the kiln. You probably already know that commercial poly-film greenhouses are built with two layers of plastic that are inflated by pumping air between the layers. It provides excellent insulation!

[@darrentremblay129]

This is awesome really good job Emerald and everyone, one of my favorites ✌

[@sidschwan8031]

Nice job guys an gal,s like the logo to.

[@charliesmith8656]

🤔🤔🤔🤔perhaps ewe cud try Rock Salt. Rock salt is a natural hygroscopic material that not only absorbs moisture, but also stores it - similarly to dehumidifiers. Charcoal will absorb moisture from the air. 🖐😜😎🍻Cheers

[@kirkbodendorfer5313]

That's awesome! Congratulations on your new kiln! Y'all could also install a wood burning furnace and burn your waste slabs during cold, cloudy, or humid days. JS

[@Mdotis100]

Awesome. Now add a solar fan so it only runs when the sun is shining. An old car fan is 12 volt so the panels are easy to setup.

[@had2galsinthebooth]

Yep,you will need the vent to pull drier air in from outside or from somewhere anyway. Can you use the humid air elsewhere? Maybe route it to occasionally circulate but not so much/often that it cools the kiln too much. It would have to be closeable for times when you don't want any circulation.

[@jamesrussell6870]

As mentioned, you've got to get some thick plastic below stone ASAP!!

[@magnus9165]

Great job.

[@paulkramer4176]

good idea to dry some. AD vs KD is good, and dried quarter sawn Oak might bring double the price. The nice thing about lumber is generally it gets MORE valuable as it ages a bit, vs most products. Normal dried oak is maybe $5 to $7 /bdf on the west coast. But with quarter sawn, double that. And if special even more. Lots of good comments on improving the kiln, yes. There are special films that will last much longer too, like 7 years in sun. They are also MUCH MUCH stronger and will resist wind. You saw a lot of wood, pull out the beautiful boards, set them aside. They can go for a lot more than the common stuff. Obviously not the hemlock and other softwoods. But on the west coast, VG fir, is close to $10 bdf when dry. You must have Cherry, maybe some walnut, Oak, and other woods that will be desired. And as you said, if you have burls, yes. We also have a big market for wide slabs. I just bought one for a client, 12 foot long, ~ 46" wide, live edge. A good price @ $800. (redwood, but not old growth). They would dry it but that added $500 more. I just painted the ends and stickered it on a flat surface. Turned out it's moisture was already down to about 12%.

[@bobmoore5242]

Thanks. One of the reason's I love your channel is that you share lots of the secrets about how to do things.

[@billherrick3569]

Excellent.

[@bladewiper]

A job well done. This will give you a better feel for the market, then if it warrants it, you can build a larger one. Just like many things in life, as soon as you build something you see improvements that can be made, and I am sure with some time you will make them. One kiln I saw had a timer on the fans that replaced the air, they would run for a short time, a few times a day. This allowed time for the moisture to be drawn out of the wood before the room was cooled off by the "new" air. It also had circulating fans.

[@daveknase5635]

Really enjoy your videos, such hard working young ladies!

[@timothybaker8234]

This looks great. I may have to try something like this sometime. Note though on your plastic sidewalls. 6mil plastic is 6/1000” of an inch (machinist measurements), not 6 millimeters (6mm). 6 millimeters would be almost 1/4 thick. Sorry, my pet peeve has always been accurate measurements.

[@billyshumate853]

Looks good. Should work just fine. Y'all take care and have a blessed week and I'll see you on your next vidja.

[@theboakster]

So ladies and gentlemen. I have read through most of the comments to date and several are quite valid. I truly enjoyed the segment but yes, a vapour barrier wold have been better below the crush on the floor just to control that element of moisture from the ground. I’m wondering why you didn’t blacken the wood rafters etc too.. just to enhance the solar heat absorption for the kiln. I am of the opinion that this has been a very well thought out program. Accolades to your whole family for being innovative enough in trying something that is off of the charts. 👍

[@trevortoop5166]

What a great idea. I love this family effort.

[@wallaceloper637]

Hothouse you could grow a few plants also. just a suggestion

[@charliesmith8656]

🤔🤔🤔should ewe have put a black 6mil moisture barrier under the gravel 🖐😜😎🍻Cheers

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Lots of people want The Boss's clan to succeed. Personally, I like the way you all seem to think things through to avoid wasting time and money. I especially like the stenciled logo and lettering which just pops out. Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays.

[@Adirondack_DFL]

Nice, airflow is your friend when drying lumber. Fans and vents will help.

[@wayneweis653]

Request in part of a video, Show us Sunrise and sunset from inside the klin or show us which direction is South. Thank You Wayne

[@PaulDGreen-bu4iz]

Nice job! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! Thank you for sharing!

[@edwardcullen606]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it. I've never bult such an elaborate kiln to dry lumber. My typical kiln is some pallets across some flat ground with the wood stickered on top with a black poly tent over the top, like a pup tent. The sun on the poly warms the everything inside and moisture is drawn to cooler temperatures. I have every confidence in the success if your kiln. It will work in the winter. Keeo uo the good work.

[@kennethd7048]

You all did a great job !

[@thekiltedsawyer]

Very nice ladles, you picked the best spot, use what you have!! Thanks for posting this, keep us posted on your progress with it? Merry Christmas to everyone at your mill!

[@robbrewer3861]

For another video for the new year, perhaps you could follow-up with some of the local artisans who buy your quarter sawn, tree Ys and Burls, and the like to show us the finished product

[@leontoolbelt4559]

I work with a guy from the east side of the states, he ,d be proud of youre shear wall designs! sayin it again, thats how to shear a wall.

[@tracymiller833]

Nice job...But may I suggest insulating your walls...Your Concrete walls absorb water...When there’s high relative humidity in the air, concrete begins to absorb moisture from the air. However, when there’s low Relative Humidity, the water previously absorbed will begin to evaporate from the concrete back into the atmosphere. Use a Dehumidifier. One of the comments suggested redoing your floor...He gave good points...You have to have the Kiln well insulated...flooring walls...

[@mikedrawbaugh238]

This is awesome! I will be building my kiln this spring. Great job!

[@ajpsawmill4314]

Very nice build, I started using just regular old hoop house from a local farmers.i did put down heavy black plastic under the stone and solar vents , summer time I just remove the end plastic so air moves around.

[@cathiepieszak6967]

Merry Christmas . Evolution can come in fits and starts.

[@healthyhippy4282]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you from West coast of Canada . I ve enjoyed your videos. Keep the sawdust flying 😊

[@lutherthompson8314]

Have you considered providing wood to luthiers? Adirondack and some other spruce and other woods are in demand.

[@MsdMakingSawDust]

Good video, excellent use of space. Like everyone else said plastic under gravel will help you a lot. Hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!

[@thehammah8444]

Look into a Harbor Freight solar panel kit (they are really reasonable) to run a fan or two to move the moisture out.

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya, I've just watched a video on YT by Stumpy Nubs, his latest. It's about if your kiln dries too quick you get 'Case Hardning' of the wood, basically ruining it. This is from info from the US Forestry Service, so worth knowing and using to promote your slow dried kiln wood. Happy Christmas to you all, even the weird one, stay safe, Steve...

[@danielashton5697]

Excellent job y’all! That will make an outstanding product!

[@kennymysak2079]

Another amazing explaining everything. Merry Christmas 🎅 from my family to yours. Keep up the great videos

[@lestatangel]

It was 10 degrees here when we got up. Y'all stay warm and have the merriest of Christmases.

[@bobfargione5042]

If a customer on a large custom and the customer is willing to pay for it do you have the equipment to plane the boards ?

[@SUROBLEDEKchannel]

Good job 👍

[@donaldmckie5960]

Awesome, been wondering why ur business didn’t kiln dry some wood. I’ve been doing some research on solar kilns myself and hope to have one going before this summer. Good luck and keep the vids coming. Merry Christmas to all

[@scottdeforge1331]

An airless paint sprayer might have been the way to go, much quicker than rolling. Great job regardless.

[@CGT80]

It certainly would have been easier, but if they knew how to properly roll paint, it wouldn't have been a hard job. They should have had an 1-1/4 nap roller and a roller screen inside a 5 gallon bucket along with a a 4-8' roller pole. The pole gives leverage and most people, just like in the video, use far too little paint. For that wall, my roller would have been dripping wet. For interior walls, I get the roller wet enough that it almost drips. After all, the point of painting is to actually create a solid film on the surface.

[@timlawson817]

When painting concrete blocks use a thick nap roller it will work much better .

[@ShainAndrews]

I wonder how much moisture is going to pump in from the ground. Plastic barrier under the aggregate might be a good idea. Like the innovation, and I like the signage.

[@michaelwhiteoldtimer7648]

Very nice project, hope it works out well

[@robertm348]

Heed the advice of Scott Lentz, below, or you will be defeating your purpose. I would go a step further and seal the edges of the plastic to the walls to avoid water intrusion from the dirt floor. How will you provide for air movement in the kiln?

[@johnsadler8637]

Good afternoon! It was good to see all you kids working together. I thought I even saw your mom flash by a couple times. I got a kick out of your brother’s avenue of descent from the roof. Hung from a rafter to get his feet on the window ledge, then hopped down. From higher than he is tall! Even when I was young and immortal I would have hesitated at that. You and Jade are about the same height, right? One of you was standing by Sam and it appears you two got a tad bit more height than she did. Cool logo. Others here have commented that you need a moisture barrier under the gravel. It is true that the kiln will have to dry the soil out in addition to the wood, but if there’s no water running into the enclosure from surface flow or a leaky gutter, my experience suggests the soil will get fairly dry in a season or so.

[@robertm348]

A season or two will make for some longer drying times, and possibly some lumber not dried properly. Is it worth it?

[@johnsadler8637]

@@robertm348 Hey, do I see you on OWTM too? As for drying time, I assume they’ll go to a measured moisture reading instead of just a specific duration. Would be longer, but it would be work to redress the vapor barrier now.

[@robertm348]

@@johnsadler8637 Maybe, What is OWTM?

[@johnsadler8637]

@@robertm348 Then probably not. Outdoors with the Morgans. Another sawmill/firewood/tractor etc channel.

[@larryjoray192]

Merry Christmas you all

[@dreally7029]

Awesome - Terri made the Video!!!! (Your narration and explanation was great as well)

[@michaelguerin56]

Great to see a solar kiln. I know, as a carpenter, exactly what you mean about timber being more fragile, after going through a standard commercial drying kiln. Kiln dried timber can actually be more fragile, in my experience, than the same timber which has been exposed to sun and central heating for over thirty (30) years. The young fella is getting pretty good with his video bombing! 🙂 I wish you all the best with this project.

[@sevilnatas]

Where did you buy the greenhouse plastic and what looks like fabric tape? I have been looking for fabric tape to do something similar and have not had any luck. Possibly because it's not called fabric tape (the white stuff that you are stapling the plastic down, through) but my searches have come up empty. Anyway, love your videos, hope they continue for a long time!

[@mikemckain6556]

That is awesome. Love the idea. We will want a video on how well it works

[@d.t.4523]

Congratulations! Good luck to you.

[@jkcarroll]

Hi! I'm writing this 6 months after you put the kiln together. I'm curious if there have been any changes in your kiln layout, and any information on how well it's working.

[@grdelawter4266]

I’d first like to say it looks like you guys worked hard and got a lot done. I’m not sure this solar kiln is going to work in the way that you think that it will because of several deficiencies. You have no vapor barrier on the ground and the roof that you built over he’s going to bring rainwater right into the solar kiln because of the gutter that you enclosed. I saw that you used a white primer, I assume that you did not know that they can tint the primer to make it a dark charcoal color. That would’ve been helpful in your painting. Can this kiln work? I guess that depends on what you consider success to be. There needs to be fans blowing and circulating the air through a drying chamber and then coming up through the wood making air cycles. How are you going to get the moisture in the wood & air out of your kiln? You didn’t address that either so in reality I’m not sure that this is going to be worth your effort. Sorry Once you get the wood drier, it must be stored inside in “conditioned” air so it doesn’t suck moisture right back in. Where will you store this wood? FREE Solar kiln plans are available from many sources and universities with data and statistics proving their capabilities.

[@thekiltedsawyer]

Really???don't be that guy!!

[@robertm348]

@@thekiltedsawyer What guy? Could you please explain your post? Thanks

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

Our hard wood is already down to 15% moisture.

[@thekiltedsawyer]

Maybe have a comment on what they did right?

[@robertm348]

@@lumbercapitallogyard Sounds good, but getting it to be stable at less than 10% will be the challenge. Good luck! You'll figure everything out!

[@trevorwinter5071]

Will you have circulation fans installed to evenly dry the timber?

[@bluecollartrader1791]

She mentioned it at the very end of the video.

[@dugganwoodworks]

You get better color in the wood also with natural drying.

[@rockvillemike6062]

Here's a tip for you next time or if you expand. When you buy your primer have it tinted black.

[@blkstromer]

great work folks happy holidays

[@Tom-bl4rh]

For your choice of background music Thanks

[@tjcustommilling3279]

Merry Christmas to you Em and your family... T/J Milling from Montana

[@Tom-bl4rh]

Nice move, Juda

[@tombeck2792]

How about a wood boiler and some tubing in the floor?

[@jeffsmith9328]

Nice job y’all did

[@fredericktownhomestead8094]

How long will you keep stack in there ? What percentage are you hoping for?

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

Lookin good! From my experience I bet that the kiln will get 120-140 degrees in the summer. Maybe even hotter. Also I didn’t have much time the other day but I made a quick video I think you might like 😆

[@kurtcraig3421]

happy holidays Em, to you n your fam.

[@nigelparker5886]

Does it work well? And all year round? Cheers

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

Merry Christmas Em!

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

You as well! Have any special plans for the occasion?

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

@@lumbercapitallogyard We had a nice Christmas morning so that was fun, now we are going to go chip brush and saplings until it gets dark! We never stop working lol 😂 What about you, what are y’all doing today? Did Santa bring an LT70?

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

Oh also you guys have to get a go pro! My bro and I saved up for another one so now we can make really cool videos. You can mount them anywhere and they have some stabilization thing so the footage doesn’t shake from the vibration. It would be perfect for the Woodmizer

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

Spent the day with family! No LT70 ☹️ But funny you mentioned a go pro… just go one myself!

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

@@lumbercapitallogyard Haha no way! What kind is it? I have hero7 blacks

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

Merry Christmas Ironwood! Are you gonna make a look back at this year kinda video?

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

Yeah maybe, for the new year you mean? That’s a good idea, I could definitely do that

[@AlmostItalianBrothers]

A look back at 2021 of all the things that have happened with the business

[@georgeshotrodbarn2113]

Looks good it's good to see Sam

[@cgulden]

Who is that with the camo shirt?

[@Mr05Chuck]

Airless paint sprayer would make quick work of that uneven texture paint job.

[@75jdubb]

You need to include a link for the Merch shop.

[@stephensteen9058]

Nice job and you look good on a ladder

[@mennodegroot1109]

Great idea, but when are you going to do something similar all around the saw? I'd love to see you girls working in a bit of comfort through the cooler temperatures!!!

[@kirkyorg7654]

pretty cool

[@garycornelisse9228]

One of you guys should learn how to use a paint sprayer. They are so much faster and put on a more even coat of paint. Said tools are not expensive.

[@woodsgremlin9995]

Why does your pickup have Minnesota license plates.

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

That is Zach‘s truck, he is from Minnesota

[@johnvelas70]

Next time youn's have a paint chipping job, get a blow torch & barking spud. (learned this in Iraq)

[@Deutschehordenelite]

A day early, but I am not complaining :)

[@AR15231]

Just imagine what you guys could build with your own lumber.

[@tjjm1907]

Keep your Sawyer job Emerald, as a painter you leave much to be desired. lol

[@wood4sheep]

Kiln/warming hut!

[@genenautilus451]

In the description you suggest we check out your merch shop, but you do not give a link to it.

[@DanPurdy1]

Zack and Sami who have since moved back to Minnesota.

[@erice9536]

Are you planning on fans?

[@lumbercapitallogyard]

Yes!! We are going to be installing fans as well

[@RobKeenan826]

seems to me, some commenters don't watch the complete video

[@mikebeatstsb7030]

How's it/what is a 'Six Millimeter Plastic' please..?🤔 Or isit not anything special and just ya basic bog standard plastic sheeting..? Pardon my stupidity if that's what it is. 🙏

[@butthole687]

Your voice is to die for red bird

[@mortenmyhrmoen7592]

🇳🇴👌👌🇳🇴