One of the unique abilities that I offer to customers is vacuum kiln drying with a PCS Vac Dry.
It is about five times faster than any conventional kiln, and lumber comes out cleaner and straighter, with almost zero checking. The results between the vacuum kiln and the dehumidification kiln are amazing, and the speed at which this kiln dries wood enables me to turn around customer sawing and drying orders in as little as three weeks depending on species and thickness (and prior kiln scheduling). As the kiln works, its heat is provided by the scrap wood generated from the sawmills.
Naturally, thicker wood takes longer, as does white oak. Walnut can be dried immediately after sawing but will be light brown to olive green. If walnut is air-dried about one month per inch of thickness before vacuum kiln drying, though, it will come out very consistent chocolate brown, with some of the red and purple hues visible that are associated with air-dried walnut.
Maple, meanwhile, comes out whiter and brighter, cherry looks great, and with a little bit of experimenting, cottonwood dries with very little checking.
Please call regarding your drying needs. The maximum length is 12' 6" by a maximum width of 42". Kilns hold up to 1250 board feet.
