The Solar Kiln: Operation, Capacity, and the Effects of Building With Green Lumber - Ep17

[@ericdanso2487]

Hello, i am Eric from Ghana Africa. i am planning on building a solar kiln. I have been researching on how to for the past 3 weeks This is to let you know that your video is the best stuff i have come across, Good job and i hope you enjoy your home

[@eh_bailey]

Not sure if this became more apparent over time, but it seems like the logs should be painted/sealed right after being cut so that they dry evenly (reduces warping/splitting)

[@jameslangley2033]

You gave me a lot of good ideas on building my kiln . Bought my sawmill 7 months ago and been building a 40 foot sawmill shed and my next thing to build is a solar kiln.

[@zapper28]

Good idea: instead of cinderblocks use ratchet straps. Wood pack itself is much heavier than those blocks. Use its own weight against warping. On the other hand, the belt weighs less and is easier to operate.

[@tylerjbellows]

The Scandinavian method of ringing a tree so that it dries standing for a season always intrigued me. I think it reduces checking and warping quite a bit.

[@onecothrive5535]

Thanks for your time and energy, much appreciated!! We have bought some land in northern Quebec, Canada with all the wood we could dream of. Now are learning how to mill and dry it. We are starting to document our journey and hopefully inspire others to do the same and live free. Much love to all!

[@homesculptor]

I rabbit all my siding and flooring. A router at the end of the mill table, helps alot if you have drag back. I've built 100s of homes. 90 10:39 probably 99% of framing lumber was green from the suppliers. You shim shrinking under headers, then cover with sheet rock and putty and paint makes carpenters out of those who aint.

[@plinble]

Great video, especially at the end. It's all wobbly, go with the flow...

[@murphdoesitagain]

I built a greenhouse with lumber (white oak) the same day it was milled. All the framed-up walls and doors eventually twisted and warped but it stayed solid as a rock and the greenhouse effect actually dried it after it was built

[@magnuscircle]

You are an excellent carpenter in my eyes.

[@John-PaulMartin]

Hi!, I just subscribed to you channel so many of my questions may have been answered already but I noticed you have a burnt outer coating on the kiln. Are you concerned about fire, GOD forbid, since charred wood burns quicker than just uncharred wood? I also noticed the direction of the kiln as it sits. Does the building/roof face due South to max out the heating potential? I love the ingeniuty of building the kiln first, to dry the wood for the house! For the foundation, how do you get the concrete to your location? You probably have answered these questions already. You really look like you are in the middle of "nowwhere USA" I'm going to start with the first video, THANK YOU for labeling the video parts sequencially! Many videos are not labeled 🤔making it hard to follow in order.

[@Every_Day_Adventure]

amazing how something so simple works so well. I used to drive by Buse Timbers in Everett every day on my way home from work and would see the steam billowing out of their kilns (gas fired no doubt) but they needed to dry in huge volume.

[@covecarpentry]

im blown away at the 7 day estimate. blown away

[@garywenzel4921]

An emergency blanket is a very cheap way to keep the rain water your catching cool from sun. 50 cent e-blankets don’t last long. Foil bubble wrap works well too a little longer and a little more expensive. Love your videos ❤

[@sswoodprocessing]

It is beautiful there. I enjoyed the video, so I subscribed. Take care 👍

[@foreal8691]

Wow I love how that siding turned out! I would really be curious how wet the lumber coming out of the kiln is in the middle. You might want to cut a board in half and check the moisture content on the inside. A solar kiln is on my to do list. Drying lumber is a real science that I wish I knew more about. Anyway, you are making great progress!

[@robertling9872]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and beautiful living forest.

[@miguelquiroz1550]

Great information . Thanks for sharing.

[@cattigereyes1]

One could build a 18’ wide 12’ tall kiln along the top edge above the double wide doors 8’ wing span per door 16’ total width of exterior door opening add a solar/wind powered fans along the top edge every 2’ for a total of 9 intake fans run a full board width starting from the top ceiling dropping down 3’ from top at a angle to middle of stack height of wood. Add three dehumidifiers one on each outer edge and one hung dead center all running of solar/wind battery are deep cycle. Glass the outer windows with wide panels double glass. A top of the out side metal panel or highly stained wood panel extending four feet off the top back side with putter and side drip edges. To keep top fans dry in wet weather. Painted or stained dark. In the lower doors add four high Volume fans two to each door pointed outward for rapid venting. The water from the dehumidifiers could be collected in exterior rain barrels with added oxygen stone for each to keep the water fresh. For yards or gardens. The interior and exterior walls will be insulated with Rock Wool or insulation of choice. Stained dark or painted dark. Build a platform at base for easy forklift, tractor, bob cat loading. Have a certified electrician help with the battery and wind/solar components. Enjoy quickly solar kilned wood for years to come. The floor should be off the ground by 2 feet with sand and gravel base and stained or the bottom treated wood. I could source the whole thing but a contractor with experience could tell the cost of this beast better than me.

[@douggibson9084]

Excellent video. Thanks 👍

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Great video. You deserve a taco. I like that you are using the kiln roof for water catchment. I'm surprises at how quickly the wood dries. Very interesting.

[@zcfloors]

Thank you very much for this amazing video . After watching this I think I’m ready to build a solar kiln

[@terryatpi]

Subscribed from north of Syracuse. Thanks!

[@ERLong-ww7yn]

Very nice video. Greetings from the backwoods of New Brunswick

[@robertbass6101]

I like your build, I wonder if insulting the outside would have been more efficient? Metal container isides would produce more heat with less wood, I think.

[@dutch1777real]

Looks like a great place to dry laundry too. 😁

[@atangapaul1141]

Add veggies 😊😊

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Very interesting thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

I am building a skillion frame for a cabin. Facing solar south. Hoping to have winter solar gain by south facing window wall and north sloping roof. Going 24x28 because only can span 14'6" with 2x12x16' 16" o.c. For now just getting 9 piers, 9 post, 3 headers, and roof finished. So like a skillion pavilion.

[@craiggood9364]

Thanks for sharing your kiln operations!

[@WideCutSawmill]

Great job keeping is simple, but explaining completely and well. I’m thinking I’m going to build a couple solar kilns for my operation as I can’t afford a bigger unit. I’ll get my slabs and boards lower in moisture with a solar kiln then hire out finishing so it won’t take as long or be as expensive to finish it off. Thanks for the video!

[@iangordicans8763]

absolutely fascinating ... great stuff

[@michaeldavidson2290]

Really interesting and educational. Thank you.

[@LilyWasHereMB]

It's a miracle! Been following for a while ... even watched your cooking segments. I didn't realize how long since I've heard you say your trademark phrase; brought a smile to my face.

[@adamna1672]

You should also anchor seal the ends. That will prevent the boards from extra checking and overall moving.

[@jaybrek7589]

Do you happen to have plans you would post?? This looks like a great solution to what we’re dealing with. Thanks

[@JB-xx9ml]

FANTASTIC! Making progress, keep up the good work ... thanks for sharing! 💕

[@markhedquist9597]

This! This is excellent! Thanks for sharing this video. Very helpful and educational for an aspiring wood dryer like myself.

[@howardkettner]

Sooo good. How did I not come across doing what you’re doing before. Love your attitude and delivery. Inspiring.

[@IrishBoson]

Awesome Vid. Love your setup

[@michaelclairforet5031]

Your presentation more or less answered my question philosophically, and a kill like yours would work. Do you have plans or directions on how to make a similar kiln.

[@guybartlett9587]

Thanks

[@r0ckworthy]

I'll bet getting the wood up to 140 deg F would also kill just about any bacteria, mold, and fungus in the wood too. That could be a nice bonus in areas (like the Pacific Northwest) that are wet and rainy all the time, and for posts that are going to be contacting the ground.

[@liseforget1687]

Great explanation. So much information.

[@martyhandley4456]

This was super cool.... 100% yield concept.....some will be sacrificial but the dried product is sweet, this series is awesome......saw another version, but man this project seems to be super functional at a later day pull the battens down and make wider ones......+can’t wait for the house build to start

[@brianmorrow9815]

Love the kiln info thanks

[@bradbishop-atfulldraw7491]

Great video! Thank you🙂

[@baseballDUDE32]

Y’all are moving along. Amazing.👍 Coming up your way in Augusta for a month. “NEED HELP”? Would love to work in the Great outdoors…. An idea.😎 be safe.🇺🇸

[@MrJasonp18]

Another great video

[@nathjones1542]

The kiln looks spot on and what I need to make. Pine does shrink but commercial stuff is generally fairly stable. Good to build with, framing wise. In Australia we don’t have much of a choice so you fill in the states are very spoiled for choice. Great project and can’t wait to see progress. 🙏🏼

[@andyjones6361]

Very interesting That should solve most of your shrinkage issues when you start the house? Good job! Andy

[@1956vern]

You need to put a rock fountain under that, badgers or that nice fresh smell of SKUNK! Snakes! O MY! Nice build and your’a thinking!

[@andrewpark407]

Great post. Holy smokes. This is like money in the bank with the cost of lumber doubling recently. Crazy what a 2x4 at Home Depot now costs. On another note... Get back on the boat. We're doing the Baja Haha and hope to see you in Loreto or La Paz soon.

[@bastiat691]

Would it make more sense to install black painted plywood instead of the tarp if you need a diverter anyways?

[@nodbod-b2t]

Ya done good, real good!

[@rosethroop8410]

Nice build . Do you have plans for the build of your kiln and would you share them . I like your build and wouls like to make one like yours. Thanks

[@TheMattroloff]

Really good stuff.

[@daddyg5654]

2 days of milling!? I work at a circle sawmill and the old guy that runs it is always going on about how slow band saws are. Usually just nod and smile and keep tailing off. But that 3 foot pile is only 4 hrs of milling for us. 1500 board feet of soft lumber in a 4 to 6 hr day is not a problem. I had no idea how slow a band saw was. If I ever get my own mill I'll definately build a solar kiln like yours.

[@contrafax]

Good looking kiln.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Hmmm wonder if using a modified 20 foot shipping container could be a viable kiln, not to mention could load it on a trailer if you want to sell or rent it.

[@robinNaugust]

Thank you for your video. Just subscribed and will make something similar to yours. Awesome stuff!

[@djw6850]

Fantastic building, imperfections and all, this was a really helpful video that was precisely the information I was after. Was hoping you might speak about the treatment of the building's siding, did you char that with a torch for weather sealing? How long after building it green did you have to wait before treatment? Many thanks for your trailblazing! I just bought my Woodland Mill and I can't wait to get going on my own off grid endeavors!

[@CryptolockerMD]

heat solidifies sap? would think the opposite, letting it drain from the wood faster

[@markfomenko8873]

People may want to look into framing the roof using rafters and purlins for this application. It involves less material and time.

[@gaedikus]

nice thing about that building is after you're done using it you can turn it into a greenhouse.

[@mikedavis3421]

You've had your solar kiln for a couple of years now. How well is it working and are you glad to have it?

[@questioner1596]

I wonder why you didn't use kiln dried lumber to make your kiln? 😂 Nice build all the same; does it make a nice warm patio on a winter day?

[@sdesytfcanon]

I’ve seen klin with dehumidifier in the past to speed up the process even more. Would it be worth it to add another solar panel to run one that has a water run off outside?

[@paulmayfield8924]

Where did you get the plans for this kiln? Can you put a link in the description?

[@johncrisp6683]

Great to get caught up with you. Can you over dry? How is the boat?

[@fpsrogers8033]

Would it be better to use a black tarp?

[@botfoblhrp]

thank you , this was very informative video . oh , and i want this look on my house of your kiln. is it char ,then oil?

[@MMMS75]

Will this work for larger timber’s for timber frame construction? Or are those just too thick for this process to be effective?

[@BrianKatamba-g3q]

Hello, can that act as a solar dryer for fruits.

[@1956vern]

Save some sap! You can use it! Great preserver!

[@jamesb2148]

Very interesting

[@mountainmanprojects]

So I see you have air vents at the top. I am guessing that since warm air raises they clearly let hot air out but where does the cool air come in? Or is it part of the plan to keep the kiln warmer by limiting the air flow?

[@coppulor6500]

probably to vent moisture

[@Vettester]

I have heard that you have to frame your house with stamped lumber, or it is not to code, is this true in your area?

[@mikeball9900]

i like it butt, talking to myself too. never feel 80 when we think 21. at least, be thankful for why we hurt because of the fun we had when we were 21 hehehe. then feel the breeze as the purple mountain majesty rises on the setting sun. i'm going to addopt this design. thanks

[@KerryCorney]

Thanks heaps for the video guys; super helpful and informative. Cheers

[@HarmonieZvuku-harfy-kalimby]

Hi there. what is right type of roofing material? Dual wall is better because of thermal isolation but on the other hand "wave" type should catch a lot more sunlights because of wave shape there will not be so much reflection in morning and evening like with straight material, right? Thank you, Tomas

[@patmos7521]

Just curious but where does all of the moisture go? Is it just wicked through the materials of the kiln?

[@smallvulture2781]

Ive just found your channel and looking forward to watching your channel I have a year of hardwork until I can start finding property anyway I read that settlers usto make boards out of Doug fur near winter because they had almost no sap if cut then was wondering if there was any major truth to that

[@AugustineKar]

Do you experience cold winters in your neck of the woods? Saw a comment below say something about Augusta - are you in Georgia?

[@AirRaidBaby]

Hello Jeff and Brenda . See you bought land in where? Washington State?

[@onecothrive5535]

Ive been hearing that the air drying time is 1 year per inch of thickness, you are saying 6 weeks? Im confused :)

[@acossaw]

For air drying. Kiln drying is faster

[@cjhage]

Hello nice video But i have a question i building my own solar kiln but hoe big are your Solar panels and how big are the fans i mean how manny volts

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

The caps in the floor boards will help ventilation cool air will rise up through the floor as the warm air vents out the top keeping the humidity low

[@natewelch6490]

That's a nice kiln! Did you go off of plans you found somewhere for building it?

[@thomasfarms6331]

Do you have plans for this build? I want to build one as well but I am unsure of blueprint plans

[@jeffreyjbyron]

Are you worried at all about fire with a big stack of really hot, dry wood? I want to build a solar kiln but my wife is worried about this.

[@srchubz]

it'll never get hot enough to combust, if that's the worry.

[@michaelclairforet5031]

I would like to mill trees on my property and make my own planks for a wood floor. Is there anyway to calculate the size/dimension of a piece of wood and how long it would take to use it for flooring without warping?

[@joncue0304]

Do you happen to have plans available for the kiln? We are getting ready to build one now.

[@HuckThis1971]

Should the ends be sealed or painted to prevent splitting during drying process?

[@boatrvme8478]

Yes!

[@pseast]

does effectively get rid of the insects?

[@CentralPaRcFlying]

Bugs in the center of the wood will Not be killed, center of the wood never gets to the temp that the kiln reaches according to the designers of the Kiln at VA Tech.

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Are the boards for the exterior of the kiln burned? Or does it darken like that because of the heat?

[@blackwolfsurvival7434]

Amazing setup! I have to build my solar kiln between now and the next two weeks. I have questions. How did you setup and build your platform? And what solar fan kit did you buy? It looks like you have one panel running 3 fans?

[@howardkettner]

I hear you. I’m mid 60, and feel like 90 until I smell the smell of fresh sawdust. Haha

[@BK-oo1bl]

What type of fans did you use? And where did you buy them

[@itsTHEFIREDOG]

I was thinking of building a solar kiln for drying hand hewn logs. Will a solar kiln be able to get moisture content down to about 6 -8 percent?