How to Build a Cedar Lumber Kiln
An inexpensive cedar lumber kiln is one that utilizes the sun for the drying power rather than electrical heat. This allows the the kiln to be placed close to the harvesting location of the cedar. The drying process takes approximately 15 weeks in a solar kiln with a 8-by-4-by-8-feet dimension. The drying time is determined by the moisture in the wood and the humidity in the air. Inclement weather will extend the drying time. The most important aspect of a cedar lumber kiln is the preparation of the inside so it absorbs heat at an optimal rate.
Things You'll Need
- Internet
- Railroad ties or cinder blocks
- Pressure treated 2-by-6's
- Pressure treated 2-by-4's
- 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch exterior plywood
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Skill saw
- 2- and 3-inch galvanized wood screws
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Level
- Screen
- 1-by-4-inch treated wood strips
- Hinges
- Blanket Insulation
- Aluminum-based paint
- Oil-based flat black exterior paint
- Flat black exterior oil point
- Paintbrush
- Turpentine
- Fiberglass roof panels
- Silicone caulk
- Caulking gun
Instructions
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1
Research and locate the latitude of the area where the wood kiln is to be placed. Add 10 to the latitude to attain the slope of the roof. For example, the latitude of the area is 64 degrees. Add 10 to 64 and get 74. The roof is built at a 74 degree slope to capture optimum solar power.
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2
Position five railroad ties approximately 2-feet apart to form the foundation for the cedar lumber kiln.
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3
Cut the 2-by-6-inch treated lumber into two boards 8-feet long and five boards 3-foot 7 1/2-inches long. Build a 4-by-8-foot rectangle on top of the railroad ties to use as the base of the cedar lumber kiln. Connect the boards together with 3-inch galvanzed wood screws.
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4
Measure along the top edge of each 8-foot 2-by-6 and place a mark at 2-, 4- and 6-feet. Center the ends of a cut 2-by-6 between opposite marks to create three floor joists. Attach the joists to the frame with 3-inch galvanzed wood screws.
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5
Center, place and attach a sheet of 5/8-inch exterior plywood over the frame. Attach the plywood with 2-inch galvanized wood screws. Position a row of treated 2-by-4's around the outer edge of the plywood similar to a picture frame on top of the wood. Attach the plywood with 3-inch galvanized wood screws.
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6
Cut, place and fill the area between the 2-by-4-inch frame with blanket insulation. Center and place a second sheet of exterior plywood over the frame to sandwich the insulation between the boards. Screw into place with 3-inch galvanized screws.
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7
Paint the surface of the plywood with aluminum-based paint. Paint over the aluminum-based paint with three coats of flat black oil-based exterior paint. Allow the paint to dry completely between applications.
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8
Construct 2-by-4 walls for the four sides using a 16- or 24-inch center. Make sure to take into consideration the proper slope of the roof when building the wall that will face the sun. Construct a door opening both 4-foot wall sections that will accomodate the dimension of the cedar wood pile. There is no set dimension for the doors. Attach 5/8-inch exterior plywood to the outside of the framing making sure to cut out the door openings. Attach the plywood with 2-inch galvanized wood screws.
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9
Cut two 1-foot vent openings in the four corners of the 8-foot wall approximately 1-foot from the frame work. Measure, cut and secure a piece of screen over each vent hole to keep out pests.
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10
Paint the inside walls of the wood kiln with aluminum paint. Apply three coats of flat black oil-based paint over the dried aluminum paint. Allow adequate time for the paint to dry completely between coats.
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11
Position and attach the fiberglass panels to the roof. Seal the seams between the panels with silicon caulk.
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12
Measure, mark and cut two pieces of exterior plywood two inches larger than the two door openings. Paint one side of the doors using the same process as painting the interior of the kiln. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Hang the doors over the door openings so the painted side is facing the interior of the building.
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