Building The Solar Kiln – Part One
- January 14, 2011
- Category: Farm Style
- (11) Comments
Picture a scene of domestic tranquility. I’m watching one of my favorite reality shows, this time “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” the dogs are camped on the couches, the fire is blazing and Mountain Man is hard at work sketching. By the end of this particular evening, Tabatha had rescued another salon from the brink of disaster, the dogs had started stretching anticipating their nighttime outing and Mountain Man had drafted plans for a solar wood drying kiln.
The idea started a few weeks ago. He’s perfected his wood processing system, built pallets that store exactly 3/4 of a cord and has built sheltered places for the wood to dry for the next burning season. Just like these.
But wood takes a long time to dry. And, after all, this is Mountain Man, and he decided he could speed up the drying time if he harnessed the power of nature. And thus his idea for a solar wood drying kiln was born.
He’s been hard at work in his shop crafting his new drying kiln. And not one to spend money, he’s sourced all the materials from our lumber and remnants of other projects. Without further introduction, here’s the beginning stages of Mountain Man’s solar wood drying kiln.
Parts built and ready to assemble.
There it is. I have to admit it doesn’t look like much at the moment.
Even Lilly is skeptical.
But in no time at all, it starts to take shape.
And become more.
Here’s the view from the back.
Next up is putting in the vents. Why you might ask? I didn’t know but I learned it’s to draw the warm moist air out of the kiln so the wood will dry.
One side done.
That’s it for today. Not because Mountain Man is leaving it unfinished. No, it is because I’m freezing and headed inside to the wood stove. I’ll have part 2 for you soon.
Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for visiting us!
That man…always thinking and inventing. So impressive. Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend!
Date: January 14, 2011
works for me.
Date: January 14, 2011
Mountain Man is always thinking isn’t he? It’s not often that one person posseses the all the abilities to have an idea, draw up the plans and build it too. What a guy. He’s a man I can admire even if it is from afar.
You really have to have a lot of wood to stay warm through the Winter don’t you? I’m kind of glad that I don’t have to go through that much work to stay warm. I just dial up the therostat when the cold weather hits and pay the piper when the bill comes in. It works for now but perhaps a day will come when that won’t be the case and I will have to dig into my pioneer heritage roots for a solution.
Have a great warm day.
Date: January 14, 2011
He is so inventive! I will be keeping an eye on this project!
Date: January 14, 2011
Sounds like he is on to something, maybe he should think about applying for a patent. Looks like he is very professional in his construction of the solar wood drying kiln and bet there would be a market for it.
The photo of Lily is adorable, it does looks as if she’s asking; “Hey mom? Do you think it will really work?”.
Date: January 15, 2011
I am clearly impressed by how hard mountain man works and all the things he has accomplished around the farm. I really am envious but please tell him he has done a nice job.
Whitetail Woods Blog / Deer Hunting and Blackpowder Shooting at it’s best.
Date: January 15, 2011
What an interesting idea! I’ll be back for part 2!
Date: January 16, 2011
Interesting!!!
Date: January 16, 2011
You’r husband is a wonder!!! That’s amazing. Oh, Lily…well she just melts my heart…she’s too cute!! It looks like she’s enjoying the snow
Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
Date: January 16, 2011
Woodmizer ( the band sawmill company ) used to sell a kit for a solar kiln similar to what you have going there.
Theirs, you poured a slab, 12-16 deep ( front to back ) and 20-24′ wide. Then built the tall back wall, and two side walls that sloped down to the front, with a walk in door on one end wall. They sold you some metal trusses for the sloping front/roof that were covered with a double layer of greenhouse UV resistant plastic, and a small blower fan to keep them “tight” like a greenhouse does.
The NEAT thing about the front/roof, was it was also the loading door. The trusses cantilevered over the back wall so the whole roof hinged at the top of the back wall, and you simply removed the locking pins on the front, and raised the whole roof up, then drove your tractor/loader in the front with lumber ( or pallets of firewood in your case ), then lowered the roof back and got to “cooking”. Had a couple of greenhouse style vents that open automatically with enough inside heat, and did the venting.
Hey…..how about a close up of your firewood pallets…..been thinking along the same lines, but haven’t come up with a wood design, and I hate to fork out the money for metal to build them out of…
Thanks !
Date: January 21, 2011
yes I would love a close up of the log bins myself and I cannot wait for part 2
Date: January 21, 2011