Curing Chamber from the box up My Build

[AmaxB]

Workhorse 3rd or 4th of Sept. it should be done. Bring your tool box and your guns (just encase) A film clip would be great we could post it here. I think guys would get a kick out of seeing you trying to get to my tobacco.

DG it is all bright leaf except for the Turkish.

 

[workhorse_01]

I've used half a leaf of what you sent me, and I have one friend who keeps begging me to use it. I just love smelling it, it's like homemade apple pie to my brain.

 

[AmaxB]

I'm still working on it, that batch was not the best but does smell pretty good. Got my mini Kiln up and running now and loaded it up with some dark air and Maryland my basement is smelling like a tobacco plant.
One machine Flue Curing and the other fermenting. Won't be a ROOKIE this time next year...

 

[workhorse_01]

I think you've already moved past rookie.

I'm still working on it, that batch was not the best but does smell pretty good. Got my mini Kiln up and running now and loaded it up with some dark air and Maryland my basement is smelling like a tobacco plant.
One machine Flue Curing and the other fermenting. Won't be a ROOKIE this time next year...

 

[AmaxB]

Third batch 75% yellow all leaves are about the same. Looks like the change in loading method helped the leaves are yellowing in a uniform manner.
Still trying to get this down to 48hrs.

 

[workhorse_01]

When you spread them out they looked more like a regular old style barn loading. The first batch you did was like the video of those Mexican's loading the new style box but that box has a high static fan, and is loaded tight, so the hot air must push through the center of the wire racks. I wonder if the added pressure helps in the cure also?

Third batch 75% yellow all leaves are about the same. Looks like the change in loading method helped the leaves are yellowing in a uniform manner.
Still trying to get this down to 48hrs.

 

[Rickey60]

If you have a tight bundle or a brick how does the air flow, or is it just the heat build up in the center of the bundle or brick that aids in the cure?

 

[workhorse_01]

I'm sure it's both. With high static blowers they don't care what restriction you have they're going to move the same amount of air no matter what.

If you have a tight bundle or a brick how does the air flow, or is it just the heat build up in the center of the bundle or brick that aids in the cure?

 

[DGBAMA]

If you have a tight bundle or a brick how does the air flow, or is it just the heat build up in the center of the bundle or brick that aids in the cure?

In the Kilning (not flue curing) process, you are getting a sort of fermentation; stable heat and humidity, not so much airflow, provide the environment for the natural aging enzymes in the leaf to do their job. This is why a cycle of 30 days or longer is used.

 

[AmaxB]

If you have a tight bundle or a brick how does the air flow, or is it just the heat build up in the center of the bundle or brick that aids in the cure?

Flue Curing
As the Leaf Yellows it loses moisture and begins to shrink allowing air to begin moving more freely through the leaves.
I think workhorse is right about the fans being used in commercial operations. Although my blower fan will draw the air through it is not doing it evenly with the way my chamber is now.
I believe if a pan with holes spaced 6 or 8 inches apart were put in top and bottom it could even air flow through the chamber and help for a uniform cure when packed tightly.
The new loading method is a big improvement as far as the leaf yellowing uniformly from leaf to leaf they are all looking the same. I think I can go with groups of 5 leaves as opposed to groups of 4 I have now.
Currently if I remember correctly I have 176 leaves on the 1st tier. Groups of 5 should put me around 230. If loading 2 tiers that would take me to 460 that's a few leaves.

 

[AmaxB]

The Camber works
I think the process of learning to flue cure should be in another thread. This one is about the building of my chamber and I have taken it far enough to see that it works.
Any changes to the chamber it's self I will post here.
A link to my learning to flue cure thread.
http://wholeleaftobaccollc.com/foru...o-at-Home-my-Wins-amp-Fails&p=53547#post53547

 

[workhorse_01]

Nice job on it. Thanks for challenging me to put my mind to it. Maybe I can make some of that bacca candy like you.

 

[AmaxB]

Damn just burnt up a solenoid ... need to look for another way to run vents..

 

[DGBAMA]

Damn just burnt up a solenoid ... need to look for another way to run vents..

What kind of solenoid? Voltage/amperage/on-off or variable? May have an idea for you.

 

[AmaxB]

What kind of solenoid? Voltage/amperage/on-off or variable? May have an idea for you.

If the shaft does not seat correctly it will burn up -- it was this one - http://www.drillspot.com/products/1333296/Solenoid_14-C-120A_Solenoid
I replaced it with this one and will work on my linkage - http://www.drillspot.com/products/44112/Dormeyer_3000-M-1_Laminated_Solenoid

 

[workhorse_01]

Amax why not just run a motorized Honeywell damper? https://customer.honeywell.com/en-U...og&category=Damper+Actuators&catpath=1.3.13.1 You can get them normally closed power open remove power and they're spring closed. They also come opposite, and power open power closed. They're cheap and will last for years. Is that a 4" or 6" opening?

If the shaft does not seat correctly it will burn up -- it was this one - http://www.drillspot.com/products/1333296/Solenoid_14-C-120A_Solenoid
I replaced it with this one and will work on my linkage - http://www.drillspot.com/products/44112/Dormeyer_3000-M-1_Laminated_Solenoid

 

[AmaxB]

workhorse
That could be a replacement maybe I see a spec "timing- 90 Sec" is this how long it stays open?

 

[workhorse_01]

There are many different styles. Which would you like? some are normally closed power to open, some are the opposite normally open power closed. Some are power open, power closed and rest where you turn them off. You can limit the amount of opening, or closing. The motors are 24VAC so a transformer will be needed . That's how I have my freezer set up. the defrost heater is on a 30amp 240VAC heat sequencer with a 24VAC coil.

workhorse
That could be a replacement maybe I see a spec "timing- 90 Sec" is this how long it stays open?

 

[AmaxB]

I have already ordered a new solenoid but next time I might do one of these. I would need to change wiring a bit foe the 24V and hunt up a transformer.

 

[workhorse_01]

I can take care of that. Yesterday I found the sling for you. If you still want it, its yours. I'll throw in a few transformers.

I have already ordered a new solenoid but next time I might do one of these. I would need to change wiring a bit foe the 24V and hunt up a transformer.