Kiln/flue curing chamber fans

[Homegrowngoodnes]

So, I know it is important obviously to control the temperature while flue curing tobacco and also kilning. Is it not also important to circulate air through the curing tobacco? I have heard many suggestions about using computer fans inside the chamber but what is the most efficient method/design? How would they be installed? How many cfm's should they move? Does there need to be a vent? Oh the questions...! I hope to use 2" foamular xps boards to construct an exoskeletal flue curing chamber approximately 4' x 8' x 8'. I will have about 100 primed plants to cure so it likely needs to be that big.

I know harvest is a ways away since seeds have not yet even been sewn. If I have a list of things I need, I can cross them off as the opportunity arises to acquire them!

 

[Knucklehead]

I used a bathroom exhaust fan for moist locations. Ready to plug into 110v outlet. $16.67

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Broan-4-Sone-50-CFM-White-Bathroom-Fan/1076121

I used a three speed fan control switch. Dont use a light dimmer switch, the load cant handle it, possible fire hazard.

You dont need much air movement, just enough to prevent dead spots in the kiln and keep temp and humidity even throughout. You will need a vent for flue curing, some use one for kilning but I don't.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

How large a vent u think for the flue curing?

 

[deluxestogie]

Just leaving the door of my kiln cracked a bit is sufficient for flue-curing. By the final stage, stem kill, the chamber must be fully closed.

Bob

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

Cool beans, I appreciate it.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I had an 8x8x4 flue curing shed. I had an inline duct fan on the wall blowing hot air from the wall mounted heater straight down towards the floor, one of the same type of fan mounted to the humidifier blowing humid air straight up (if there was a call for humidity), and one 12" oscillating fan standing in a corner.

 

[man.in.boots]

Just leaving the door of my kiln cracked a bit is sufficient for flue-curing. By the final stage, stem kill, the chamber must be fully closed.

Bob

this has been bugging me for couple days now why does the chamber must be fully closed ??

 

[adamziegler]

I find it's easier to keep humidity up and heat in on my chamber when closed up.

 

[deluxestogie]

this has been bugging me for couple days now why does the chamber must be fully closed ??

During flue-curing, the final stage, called "stem-kill", requires rapidly raising the temperature to 165° F, while preventing the admission of any ambient moisture. Opening the door to peek inside causes a sudden drop in temp, rise in humidity, and may result in what is called "red puffing" of the leaf texture. In my chamber, I am unable to reach the required temperature if there is any external ventilation.

Bob

 

[man.in.boots]

During flue-curing, the final stage, called "stem-kill", requires rapidly raising the temperature to 165° F, while preventing the admission of any ambient moisture. Opening the door to peek inside causes a sudden drop in temp, rise in humidity, and may result in what is called "red puffing" of the leaf texture. In my chamber, I am unable to reach the required temperature if there is any external ventilation.

Bob

thanks!

 

[slouch]

During flue-curing, the final stage, called "stem-kill", requires rapidly raising the temperature to 165° F, while preventing the admission of any ambient moisture. Opening the door to peek inside causes a sudden drop in temp, rise in humidity, and may result in what is called "red puffing" of the leaf texture. In my chamber, I am unable to reach the required temperature if there is any external ventilation.

Bob

About how long would you raise it to 165?

 

[deluxestogie]

Bob

EDIT: The duration of yellowing is the only period that may require longer than the 48 hours shown in the chart. Lower leaf yellows in close to 48 hours. Upper leaf may require a total of 3 to 5 days to complete. That's a reason to peek during the yellowing phase. It's also a reason to strive for each batch to be a similar priming level.

 

[slouch]

Bob

EDIT: The duration of yellowing is the only period that may require longer than the 48 hours shown in the chart. Lower leaf yellows in close to 48 hours. Upper leaf may require a total of 3 to 5 days to complete. That's a reason to peek during the yellowing phase. It's also a reason to strive for each batch to be a similar priming level.

Thanks for the useful info bob

 

[rgarym]

Bob

EDIT: The duration of yellowing is the only period that may require longer than the 48 hours shown in the chart. Lower leaf yellows in close to 48 hours. Upper leaf may require a total of 3 to 5 days to complete. That's a reason to peek during the yellowing phase. It's also a reason to strive for each batch to be a similar priming level.

Very useful info, My first season growing since the new B.C. taxes. Lots of nice plants now all I need is to cure it. Thank you.