Thoughts? Possible kiln.

[tmbutler]

Anybody want to submit their input on this contraption my wife found a link for? Clearly it would have to maintain humidity as opposed to DE-humidifying....

 

[Knucklehead]

I can’t see it. If I click the link in the post if asks if I want to Download? I’m skeered of downloads.
edit: and haints.

 

[tmbutler]

https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/gtr/gtr_nrs188.pdf

 

[Knucklehead]

For kilning and flue curing tobacco it seems excessively expensive, overbuilt, and heavy. I really like ChinaVoodoo’s latest build but there are others that are more heavily constructed and far less expensive than the one in the link.

China Voodoo's Invertebrate Kiln

I'm using a temperature controller. Temperature is produced by two 40W incandescent bulbs which hang inside an aluminum tube, with forced air provided full time by a 110V fan purchased at princess auto. The tube is bent so it blows air from the bottom to the top. Tobacco is in...

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[deluxestogie]

"Insulate the top with fiberglass insulation..."

Looks like a great idea for a tiny house.

My kiln (endoskeletal) cost a bit over $100.

Bob

 

[Davo]

No matter how cheap or expensive, I’ve yet to find anything in my tobacco hobby that my wife likes. Haha

I’d say adapt one of the kiln designs/ideas on this forum and then spend a few extra bucks on getting the exterior aesthetics to her liking

 

[Knucklehead]

No matter how cheap or expensive, I’ve yet to find anything in my tobacco hobby that my wife likes. Haha

I’d say adapt one of the kiln designs/ideas on this forum and then spend a few extra bucks on getting the exterior aesthetics to her liking

I like the way you are thinking.
Build a large dollhouse facade as a surround:

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

So other than just being absolutely inexpensive, why do ppl build such small kilns? One could build a 4x4x8 kiln for not much over $100. Most of us already have crockpot n such. Probably cost about 250 to build one 8x16x8.

 

[deluxestogie]

do ppl build such small kilns?

I believe my kiln is 2' x 3' x 4' tall. It has casters on the bottom. It was designed to easily pass through a doorway, be easily shifted around, and even to be disassembled if needed.

A Roanoke Barn can be the size of a semi trailer. How much space can you permanently assign to a kiln? That's an important question. I suspect that cost is often a minor factor in determining the size you want. Hauling materials was also an issue for me, since I don't drive a pickup.

Roanoke Barn

Bob

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

My front porch reaches about 8 ft from the house and is about 40 ft long. I was throwing the idea around to frame in about 16 ft of porch and wrapping it in vinyl. It could be multipurpose. I could use it as sort of a greenhouse or put up foam board insulation and turn it into a kiln. Theres 2 ceiling fans with lights there already and theres an outlet.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

My front porch reaches about 8 ft from the house and is about 40 ft long. I was throwing the idea around to frame in about 16 ft of porch and wrapping it in vinyl. It could be multipurpose. I could use it as sort of a greenhouse or put up foam board insulation and turn it into a kiln. Theres 2 ceiling fans with lights there already and theres an outlet.

Also as humid as it is here im thinking i might need to use a dehumidifier to stave off the mold...

 

[deluxestogie]

Raising the ambient temp 20°F will drop the relative humidity by half.

Bob

 

[Oldfella]

I agree with @deluxestogie. Raising the temperature is a better method than a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier may cause the leaves to dry too quickly and you'll end up yucky tasting Tobacco
Oldfella

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

I agree with @deluxestogie. Raising the temperature is a better method than a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier may cause the leaves to dry too quickly and you'll end up yucky tasting Tobacco

The dehumidifier would only be used to keep the relative humidity near 65% not to dry the tobacco. I just want to prevent mold.

 

[Oldfella]

I still don't like the idea of a dehumidifier, but that’s just me. As far as mold goes a good prevention method is having a good air flow through the leaves. A fan blowing gently will stir the air and venting will help to remove the humidity. You'll still have to keep an eye on them for mold, but I think that you'll end up with a better product. However in saying this long speech I've never used a dehumidifier, don't even own one. I'd suggest trying it out on a small batch first so that you don't end up ruining the whole crop.
Good luck with it, I'll watch with interest.
Oldfella
ps: a 1% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide sprayed or brushed on the mold areas kills without affecting the flavor.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

I will have to keep that in mind...1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. I will try using fans and venting for sure. Maybe its my inexperience but i want a backup! Ha!

 

[deluxestogie]

What does what?

• dehumidifier: uses one of a number of different methods to absorb or condense water, removing from it from the ambient space, thereby reducing relative humidity by reducing total water in the air
• heat: increases the water holding capacity of air (total water remains unchanged), which reduces the relative humidity
• circulation fan: averages the relative humidity throughout an enclosed space, so fewer nooks and crannies are different from the rest of the space
• insulation: reduces heat transfer, thereby reducing the cost of heating an enclosed space
• seam and door seals: serve to reduce heat and water exchange with the exterior
• exterior ventilation: allows the interior temperature and interior relative humidity (and total water) to more closely resemble exterior conditions

Bob