Design And Operation of a Solar Lumber Drying Kiln
Schedule
Fri May 22 2026 at 09:00 am to 04:00 pm
UTC-08:00Location
1509 S Georgeson Dr, Palmer, AK, United States, Alaska 99645 | Palmer, AK
Advertisement
New Class: Design And Operation of a Solar Lumber Drying KilnLearn about the design and uses of a solar kiln to dry lumber. Discuss best practices and get hands-on experience in this one-day workshop led by Brian Bond, professor and associate dean of Extension at Virginia Tech.
Solar lumber drying kilns use passive solar heat to dry lumber in an insulated, ventilated chamber. We will discuss the design elements of the kiln, including the correct roof slope for optimum solar gain and how to size the chamber for the typical species and volume of lumber being dried. Participants will learn the key concepts of the wood-moisture relationship and how to dry lumber with minimal loss to defects like splitting and warp.
While building the solar kiln is fairly straight-forward, the topic of drying lumber and getting good results is more complicated; and that will be the main focus of this workshop. Participants will learn the key concepts of the wood-moisture relationship and how to dry lumber with minimal loss to defects like splits and warp.
Using a full-size demonstration kiln, you will get hands-on experience:
*Adjusting settings and procedures for the species and thickness of lumber
*Developing a sampling procedure
*Measuring moisture content accurately
*Properly loading, stacking, and stickering
Friday May 22nd, 9 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $25 (includes 1-day workshop and lunch)
You must register to attend. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/SolarDryingPalmer
For more information, contact Matt Labrenz at [email protected] or 907-474-7192.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at [email protected] or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to [email protected].
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1509 S Georgeson Dr, Palmer, AK, United States, Alaska 99645Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
