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Tobacco kiln here I come!

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Seanz

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Well after my night of technological head banging, bloody computers i woke up and thought i am getting this kiln sorted. Rang the local 100% selectrix ( electric applience and repairs) And asked about any busted fridges. They two! I got the smaller one as space is premium. So stoked man! Now to get into it and get this thing running. Photos coming once its done and dusted.
Also on a side note went out to the local beach today it was pearla nice sunny, warm, everything southland is not. So nice in fact i just had to dekit and get in. Wow woke me up i can tell you. the southern ocean is cold sepcially when you get the AREA!. Anyway happy day here.
 

Seanz

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Well I ripped all the outer stuff off like the wire thing and the motor etc. also took the plate inside it out Its about 5ft high the fridge so should be ok for little batches. Old in boots an all me had to see if it went. As the above post I thought it wasnt working, the crockpot that is. But yes I got it up to 110f and about 84%rh but seemed too much moisture. so turned it off I am thinking i will have to get a temp controller. and need to rewire the cord on the cp so it can go through the hole that the tube came in at the back of the fridge.
 
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Knucklehead

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You can control the humidity with vents and partially block the top of the crock pot. LeftyRighty's kiln build has extremely good photos and the wires etc. are run very neatly so you can easily see how he did things. It's buried in this post:http: //fairtradetobacco.com/showthread.php?1694-kiln It should have it's own thread and be made a sticky, it's that good.
 

Webby

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Awesome bro, now ya cookin with some sorta oil or other. check out 100% again or your local lecky man and grab a hot water thermostat. local electrician had one for me for 36 bucks but i used the one out of me oven kiln instead. easy to install, can run ya through it no sweat. smokin the first of mine out of the kiln now, all rested up and its sweet..
 

AmaxB

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Don't know if you really need a temp controller with my chamber I have running as a kiln the griddle I am using is set just a hair above warm on the dial it is heating the chamber for the most part. When my vents open I loose excess humidity but there is heat loss as well. My temperature control is doing next to nothing apart from showing the temperature. I found that when running as kiln it could work with one vent (air intake) the vent was open about 50% and I never closed it the 3 -4 days it ran this way. The humidity and temperature stayed at 43 - 44C and 70% RH air circulation was on low the vent in the chamber was closed 95%. For me this was interesting because the air intake vent is located at first position on the vent air system run. Intake - camber out - blower - exhaust - heatbox - and chamber in.
Luck with your build I know you are excited and can't wait to smoke the first batch, do have a good look at LeftyRighty's kiln pics for kiln it is one of the best models I have seen.
 

Seanz

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Update well has i have only chisels and a couple of screwdrivers its hard to do much like put holes in for vents etc. So at the moment i am running a crock pot in their and just checking it often, I try to keep it around 120f mark and 60-70rh,
IMG_20130422_101906.jpg

Thats a test hand of nb11 Sitting their so it looks good lol vanity thou art a powerfull wench!
I am also using a lid on the pot to try to control humidity But i havent left it running for too long as bit scared of high temps even though the pot is set on low i am not sure how low it isTried using a light and a water bowl but it wasnt getting the humidity up their. At the moment i am trying to raise some cash and got a couple of job interviews coming up so if and when I plan to make some vent s i dont tink i need fans or anything as it is a small space so i thought heat convection would take care of distrubting the heat Feel free to correct me if am plan stoopid and in need of some help
 

Knucklehead

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It looks like you're off to a good start. Just remember that you can kiln at any time once the leaf has color cured, so if you need to slowly assemble the materials, it's not going to hurt the leaf one bit. Have patience and don't butcher anything due to an unnecessary rush. Playing with what you have isn't going to hurt anything. Play with heat control, covering the crock pot opening instead of having vents, running your wires past the door seal will create some airflow. Experimenting may get you a kiln run that takes more investment in time, until you get it self running, but I think you can manage. Just don't get discouraged.
 

Knucklehead

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Yeah, I see what you mean, having to constantly open the door to monitor the status of your temps, humidity and water level lets all the heat out. Your thermometer/hygrometer is one unit or does it have a probe on it?
 

johnlee1933

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No I havent might have to find a friendly electrician and see if i can get me one on the cheap
Find a dead water heater (the tank usually goes) and score the thermostat for free. Remember you want the one with the reset button not the other one.
 

BarG

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I found my exoerience with kilning was a daily effort. Well worth it. Give it your best shot and you won't be dissapointed!
 
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