Low running costs.
The sun provides the heat. The circulating fans and control gear are powered by mains electricity. Weekly cost about £2.

Low environmental impact.
Using a Solar Kiln to dry your planked trunks from thinned woodlands, mature, hedgerow and storm damaged trees, has got to be about the best you can do.

High quality.
The speed of drying might seem slow but with a little organisation enough dry wood can be produced for a small furniture/woodworking business. The consistently high drying quality from a Solar Kiln is a fair trade off.

Short Course - "Introduction to Solar Kiln Design and Operation"

This short one day course is a practical introduction to drying wood using a Solar kiln. The course has been very popular and a huge success. The feedback has been very encouraging and we plan to schedule further dates when demand is sufficiently high.

The course covers:- The principles of timber drying and how a Solar Kiln works. How a Solar kiln is designed and constructed and how it should be operated to obtain a high quality product.

The programme:- contains a mix of presentations and practical demonstrations and includes:
1. Introduction & Moisture Content.
2. A closer look at drying wood, measuring humidity and timber defects.
3. Air drying.
4. Kiln drying & Solar Kiln Design – including a demonstration of kiln features.
5. Solar kiln construction - taking a closer look at materials and components.
6. Solar Kiln Operation – how it should be operated to obtain a high quality product.
7. Open discussion.

Further information: - - - Course Information Sheet - - - Feature Article
Dates:- 2010. Unfortunately none are planned for 2010 -  next courses summer 2011.
Location:- Jonathan Guest Furniture, The Old School, Glanrhyd, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire SA43 3PA
Cost:- £60 including: morning coffee, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a copy of “The Solar Kiln Reference” CD*
Booking:- You can either send your remittance to me by post or book your place online.

*This CD is a compilation of information about drying wood, kiln drying and solar kilns. Of particular interest is the section which includes a copy of the course presentation slides and kiln operating and data recording procedures.

"The Solar Kiln Reference" download If you are unable to come on one of our courses, but are interested in finding out more; we can now offer the content from this CD as a downloadable zipped-file (6Mb) at a nominal price of £2.50. click here for more information. After completing the PayPal payment process you will be automatically redirected to the download instructions. (or you may have to click the link "Return to Jonathan Guest Furniture").  Follow the instructions to download your copy of "The Solar Kiln Reference". If you have any technical problems with downloading the file please let me know by email (email address can be found on your PayPal receipt). Please read our terms & conditions  before purchase.

Click here to purchase download