How to kiln dry wood

[marekz]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what they know about "kiln dry" wood. i tried the search but still unclear. If i have a cut block say 4"x6"x6" how would i go about kiln drying it? would i need to cut it smaller? what temp? how long? -what about cracking. lets assume the wood is green/fresh. -thanks all--marekz

 

[Sam Salvati]

a buddy who makes windsor chairs made his own sort of kiln, sort of like an EZbake oven just a box with a 110 watt bulb. I will ask him more about it if you want.

 

[marekz]

please do--thank you-marekz. i know some people have cabinets with fence like shelves and a vent on top with a 60 or 40 watt bulb on the bottom. this will cut the drying time by maybe 1/3rd., but thats not kiln drying?marekz

 

[Don Hanson III]

An old refrigerator (or any kind of insulated box) with a one or two light bulbs works great. Frige as a door and shelves..

First few days or a week have it sealed, then for next week or two or three have vents top and bottom slightly open for air flow. The first phase steams the wood and prevents cracking, it also helps dry the wood better in the second stage.

 

[A C Richards]

I did like Don. Took an old mini fridge, put 2 75 watt bulbs in the bottom and wired a thermostat into the system. I set the box for 98F. I stack the wood on the wire shelves with stickers in between the layers. The wood is cut to a little over handle size, 1.6x1.1x5.25. The first week the excess water collects in the egg holder shelf and I just dab it out with a towel once a day. After a few days it begins to diminish and finally after 2 weeks or so the wood is below 12%. It also depends on how wet the wood is. I had some that was so wet that it shrunk and deformed severely and was almost unusable. Allow for extra shrinkage if you are using very wet wood. Good luck