FireplaceXtrordinair 36A-ZC, 36A-BI manual Solar Wood Dryer

OPERATING YOUR APPLIANCE (Continued)

Seasoning Wood (Continued)

Place firewood in an open area to obtain rapid drying and to prevent deterioration. Preferably, put a cover on the top tier of wood. If you cut trees in summer, let them lie for a week. The leaves will draw moisture from the wood and dry it more quickly than if you limb the tree immediately.

Seasoning can be accelerated greatly by simply stacking fuelwood in a sunny location and then covering it with clear plastic sheeting. In sunny weather, temperatures within the plastic covering will rise much higher than outside, warming the wood and evaporating the contained moisture. The water vapor produced either escapes or condenses on the plastic covering; therefore some arrangement for ventilation is necessary. It is also desirable to hold the plastic away from the rough ends of the wood to prevent abrasion, allow air to flow, and keep any condensation from re-wetting the wood.

SOLAR WOOD DRYER

In sunny weather, the temperature within the dryer rises much higher than outside temperatures, warming the wood and evaporating the contained moisture.

Cover with 4 mil Polyethylene

Prevailing Winds

Raise stack off the ground to increase air flow

Air flow

Air flow

Air flow

Many arrangements for plastic covering are possible. Thin 2 millimeter, clear polyethylene sheeting sold for drop cloths or garden mulching is not recommended because it is easily torn. The 4 millimeter thickness is more satisfactory and less costly than 6 millimeter. Any clear polyethylene deteriorates badly after a few months of exposure to full sunlight, so the stack may have to be re-roofed to remain dry over winter.

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