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Knuckleheads Wooden Box Kiln Build

Knucklehead

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I am a newbie and I don't know much about the ageing process but seems to me that maybe 2 systems will better control heat/humidity a heater on a thermostat and a humitiastat controlling a humidifier maybe even one of those cold humidifier won't affect temp that way you could control heat and humidity independent

You are probably right, although a lot of members are getting by with just a crock pot. I've only been playing with it for about a week. One of our members is going to add a system like you are talking about to his kiln/flue cure chamber. I'm going to watch what happens to his and may end up following him. :eek:
 

DGBAMA

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Well just in case you are looking for a dual controller this is the one I ordered of eBay it a dual all in one package and the price is right. http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...ory=50926&pm=1&ds=0&t=1428256012330#&panel1-2

That one only reads temp in .C.

Here is one from Auber Instrument, I believe they put it together using feedback from our member Brown Thumb, and his communication with them as he set up his flue cure chamber last year.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/111268880398?nav=SEARCH
 

deluxestogie

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My solution has been to allow the Crockpot to run dry between refills, and to find the sweet spot of water quantity to add each time. A little trial and error allows you to eventually ignore the temperature and humidity, and just mark the calendar with the date that you added water.

You can certainly build a more complex system (that costs more), but my impression, from 4 years of kilning, is that the simple Crockpot works well.

Simple Bob
 

deluxestogie

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I am moving this thread to the forum on Fermenting. I'll post my new kiln there as well. Preview: Knucklehead's kiln is a lot less work to build.

Bob
 

Knucklehead

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The kiln is just humming along with very little input from me aside from adding water at five day intervals. There is about an inch of water left in the crock pot when I top it off with 4 quarts of water into the 5 quart crock pot. Temps are precise at 120-125F on/off setting. Humidity ranges from a high of 73% with a full crock pot, down to 67% with about an inch standing when I refill.

COYOTE9 - TO HARE IS TO HUMAN.png
 

Knucklehead

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you should be pleased with that.

Hows that wonderful warm tobacco aroma?

Oh, yeah, it's nice. Two weeks will be a month, but I may have to wait three due to all the playing I did with it at first. I had the door open a lot.
 

Knucklehead

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I finished my first kiln run of cigar varieties. The kiln will hold probably twice this much leaf. The kiln is loaded again and humming right along.

first kiln load.JPG
 

Knucklehead

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The smell was a wonderful cigar smell right out of the kiln, but I'm giving it several days rest before I start rolling and smoking...come to think of it, several days have already passed.. It's time to start rolling!!
 

Chicken

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Before I fire mine up this year I got to silicone all the seams..and make sure its airtight...

Last year I had a lot of heat escaping...

I also need it to get hotter..I was reading that if you take a oil filled radiator heater and replace the thermostat with one for a hot water heater..the oil heater will get really hot..

I'd also like to make a all metal building..and possibly use a pot belly stove for my heat source...and boil a pot of water on it for humidity...sort of build it on the same principle the old bacca barns of the 50's were built on..this idea would be a reality if I only knew where to get some used tin...or the box compartment of a u-haul truck..or a storage container...
 

AmaxB

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You're moving to Maine, Amax? Welcome to New England! What's the matter, WVA not cold enough for you? Here's the hands-down best source for New England weather reports and it'll help you learn the accent:

http://hillbilly-weatherman.com

Thanks DonH I'll have a look just got back to reading knucks thread again and found your post here. Might be a while before I get there need to sell this place first I'll be building a new kiln when I get there. The one I have is to big and heavy so it will stay with the shop for the new owner (if they want it). I'll use all I've learned for the new build and will also start growing again up there. Yes it gets to damn hot and muggy here, to many people too.
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Knuckles your kiln is great - looks so good. It will take time for you to understand it's temperament, I would say the size is a good choice not to small and not so big it is hard to control. I have found a 12v fan to be sufficient for air movement I run mine to keep heat uniform top to bottom and it never stops running while the kiln is in use. Happy puffing!!
 

AmaxB

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You are probably right, although a lot of members are getting by with just a crock pot. I've only been playing with it for about a week. One of our members is going to add a system like you are talking about to his kiln/flue cure chamber. I'm going to watch what happens to his and may end up following him. :eek:

I had control for the humidity way back, I stopped using it.......
 
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