Vacuum kiln

[Wooden Affairs]

Has any one made a kiln out of their vacuum chamber? I have most of the kinks worked out but, Heat is being a bit tricky. I realize heat can travel through a vacuum but will a heat lamp pointed at the chamber give off enough heat to boil and the eliminate the water? Will the heat be spread evenly? Will strictly bottom heat work? I sure there is at least one person that has at least tried this before. I geared more towards one of a kind production items and I need a efficient to dry roughed out green blanks, and this seems like the best option. Any advice would be infinitely more than what I have had so the slightest info could start a chain reaction.

Thank You,
Scot.

 

[jbswearingen]

Do you need added heat? Water will boil away at room temp under low vacuum.

 

[Wooden Affairs]

I do not know for sure. Commercial kilns have heat added. I think it helps bun off moisture in the wood. They use heat pad and plates. This complicates things when using a small homemade chamber. Currently my plan is a hot plate and maybe some copper wire.

 

[jbswearingen]

I've never heard of a commercial kiln using a vacuum to aid in drawing out the water.

 

[Wooden Affairs]

The large ones will dry something like 1,000 bf of green wood in less than 2 weeks. With almost no movement, but they cost $50,000.00.