Purchasing a kiln/flue curing box

[Private1]

Hi All,

I'm wanting to purchase something like the following:

Tobacco and Machines

Tobacco and Machines.

www.tobaccoandmachines.com

I'm wanting to produce premium leaf every season, with the most control I can.
I know that most of you would prefer to build a box yourselves, however if I factor in the cost of tobacco here in NZ, and what I've spent on it, purchasing a box to do the trick is well worth my time and money.
Are any of you aware of a box that I can buy commercially that will allow me to kiln or flue cure my tobacco in a controlled environment?

I'd be happy to pay someone to make one for me, basically with tobacco tax here in NZ, 5 KG of leaf imported would well exceed the cost of the product above.
I've asked the company some questions about temperature control etc, as with flue curing, after the first stage, I'd need to get it much hotter.

Happy for any other recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Knucklehead]

It’s a very small box. Widest dimension approx. 24 inches outside.
How much tobacco will you grow per year?
A cheaper option is a broken refrigerator or freezer. Add controller (approx. $20 U.S.) and crock pot for heat and humidity. We can help you if you can source an insulated box like a fridge, etc.

 

[Private1]

Hi Knucklehead,

Thanks man, but 5KG is definitely the upper range for what we'll be growing, that's a lot of plants!
I'll investigate building one too, but I'm pretty happy with paying for a finished box at this stage.

Thanks heaps.

 

[Davo]

It’s a very small box. Widest dimension approx. 24 inches outside.
How much tobacco will you grow per year?
A cheaper option is a broken refrigerator or freezer. Add controller (approx. $20 U.S.) and crock pot for heat and humidity. We can help you if you can source an insulated box like a fridge, etc.

Not wanting to hijack this thread but some quick questions re the fridge/freezer.

upright or chest/box?

I’m only after something to set up as a kiln as am only planning on growing air cured varieties over next few years. If however i set up a unit for fermentation/sweating, can this be retrofit or repurposed for future flue curing?

 

[Knucklehead]

Not wanting to hijack this thread but some quick questions re the fridge/freezer.

upright or chest/box?

I’m only after something to set up as a kiln as am only planning on growing air cured varieties over next few years. If however i set up a unit for fermentation/sweating, can this be retrofit or repurposed for future flue curing?

I know I have seen upright refrigerators used here and possibly one chest type. Either will work. My kiln measures 4x4x2 feet due to material coming in 4x8 ft. sheets so I had very little waste. I have not used mine for flue curing yet but it is set up so all I have to do is change the temp setting and add a vent. Mine is just a home built insulated box, a fridge is just a manufactured insulated box. Add a fan and crock pot and you are up and running. I home built my box for portability. It is super light weight and I can roll it around anywhere I want it without help or moving dollies, even across the yard from the basement out to the wood shop. (The large caster wheels help a lot)

Yes, you can use your box for kilning or flue curing. The biggest differences will be the need to hit 165F (73.8C) temperature and the need to vent the flue chamber because of the heavy moisture from the green leaf curing inside the box has to go outside.

Knuckleheads Wooden Box Kiln Build

I've been meaning to build a kiln for the past two seasons but have just gotten off my sorry ass and decided to do something about it. (Bob's thread kicked off my thinking seriously about it) First, let me say that the cheapest kiln build is one from a free freezer, as the box itself is the most...

fairtradetobacco.com

I much prefer sun curing my flue and oriental varieties over air curing. Flue curing is not hard and the flue varieties will be even sweeter. Sun curing falls somewhere between air curing and flue curing in terms of sweetness. (In my opinion)

 

[Davo]

Cheers bro. I’ve read through heaps of the posts and threads but sometimes a quick reply puts it all in order. Merry Christmas

 

[Knucklehead]

There is also no reason why you couldn’t stand up a chest type freezer to become an upright with some latches for the door and some casters. Depending on space requirements and what type happens to be at the salvage yard. You’re only using the insulated box aspects. You could gut the compressor, condenser, etc. to make it lighter.
Merry Christmas to you and everyone.

 

[Davo]

Space or portability are not an issue for me. External aesthetic so it blends in with its surrounds and doesn’t stand out in the workshop “as another Blimmin tobacco thingy” is probably more important in my case - I think this was the OP’s thinking too

 

[Davo]

I have a few spare full sheets of 1” thick ply wood (untreated). I might look into their ability to withstand heat as could be a goer for a shell

 

[Knucklehead]

Space or portability are not an issue for me. External aesthetic so it blends in with its surrounds and doesn’t stand out in the workshop “as another Blimmin tobacco thingy” is probably more important in my case - I think this was the OP’s thinking too

When I was thinking about using a scrap yard refrigerator I had considered disguising it as an out house. (the old outdoor rustic toilet sheds)

 

[Private1]

Merry christmas all, thanks for the info.

I'm starting to see the value of a fridge, even though that box is good, I think a fridge+crockpot+humidifier will be much cheaper.

Knucklehead, flue cured is the sweetest aye?

 

[Knucklehead]

Merry christmas all, thanks for the info.

I'm starting to see the value of a fridge, even though that box is good, I think a fridge+crockpot+humidifier will be much cheaper.

Knucklehead, flue cured is the sweetest aye?

Yes. I wasn’t a fan of air curing the flue cure (Virginia’s). I was quite satisfied with sun curing the Virginia’s but Don’s flue cured was better and sweeter.

 

[Knucklehead]

Merry christmas all, thanks for the info.

I'm starting to see the value of a fridge, even though that box is good, I think a fridge+crockpot+humidifier will be much cheaper.

Water in the crockpot provides both heat and humidity. I just cock the lid until humidity is in the right range. You will need a temperature controller for approximately $20 U.S. Mine was $15 a few years ago. I think you can buy them now ready to plug in without wiring but won’t swear to it. Options for 110v or 220v. Make sure you order the one for your requirements.

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Hi
I looked at the same kiln from tobacco and machines a year ago and came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it. Heres why;
Initial cost (280 euros)
Freight on 30 Kg (I don't know the cost, but I can imagine this won't be cheap. Poland to New Zealand)
GST on both the purchase price and the freight (@15%)
NZ Customs (Free but still something that has to be done)

Alternatively,You can build one.



This is a small bar fridge that I got off Trade Me ($30.00)
The controller is an inkbird, simple on/off unit also from Trade Me ($25.00)
The heat source is a 1.5 litre crockpot that draws 120W from Countdown supermarket ($20,00)
The fan is a 120mm case fan from ebay ($ can't remember)
I made the controls: fan, controller, lights, SSR all 12Vdc so only the crockpot is at 230Vac.
Total cost: approx. $150.00

I kiln the tobacco in sistema containers, so I don't control the humidity inside the kiln. I read a thread by AmaxB about this subject.
The total volume of this kiln is 40 litres which equates to approx. 5.0 Kg in weight.
I kiln for 6 weeks,and for the first run I used a plug-in revenue meter to see how much this would cost. $16.80.

This particular kiln is too small for flue curing and has tempered glass shelves and a plastic interior liner.
There is no place to hang the leaves and I wouldn't trust the liner to handle 75°C. It handles 51°C fine.

I understand the taxes on tobacco in New Zealand are outrageous/ridiculous and it seems reasonable to purchase a kiln from overseas.
I am also aware that doing any electrical work without being a registered electrician is also illegal and fraught with other issues.
ie If you have a fire and the cause of the fire is blamed on the kiln and you wired it, that could invalidate any insurance claim.

If anyone near the Waikato (Matamata Piako district) needs any help building a kiln, please let me know. I will do what i can to help.

Bill

 

[Davo]

Bill this is exactly the direction I was going in. I like the insulated glass door panel. I live in Tauranga - @Private1 is in Hamilton. I have a few other pipe smoking friends venturing into home grown that would be interested in meeting and brainstorming some kiln designs etc. heaps of good information on the forum, but sometimes just need a chat over a bowl to figure it out.
Dave

 

[Davo]

Was actually looking at these today:

Old Kelvinator Fridge | Trade Me Marketplace

Old Kelvinator Fridge. Still goes well, however thermostat is not working, just run it on a timer. Perfect beer fridge. Pickup in Tauwhare. Can deliver ...

www.trademe.co.nz

2nd Hand broken refrigerato | Trade Me Marketplace

This auction is only for one 2nd Hand RUEY SHING RS-S1001F Single Glass Door Upright Freezer(as photo show) It not function, need to repair and clean,Must ...

www.trademe.co.nz

I’d only go with the bigger one if I wanted to make it usable as a flue as well, but I hear your points about lining not standing up to 70-80c.

i do have a whole lot of fire bricks/tiles around the place. Has anyone used these to build a flue? - obviously wouldn’t be movable

 

[Private1]

Hi Bill,

Thank you very much, I'd love to come and check it out, especially the electronics!

I live in Hamiton, so you're just down the road.

Prehaps sometime in the new year if you're ok with that.

Thank you

 

[Private1]

Also Bill, forgot to mention, no worries if you're not ok with face to face, being an internet stranger and all, perfectly fine to do it all over the internet!

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Was actually looking at these today:

Old Kelvinator Fridge | Trade Me Marketplace

Old Kelvinator Fridge. Still goes well, however thermostat is not working, just run it on a timer. Perfect beer fridge. Pickup in Tauwhare. Can deliver ...

www.trademe.co.nz

2nd Hand broken refrigerato | Trade Me Marketplace

This auction is only for one 2nd Hand RUEY SHING RS-S1001F Single Glass Door Upright Freezer(as photo show) It not function, need to repair and clean,Must ...

www.trademe.co.nz

I’d only go with the bigger one if I wanted to make it usable as a flue as well, but I hear your points about lining not standing up to 70-80c.

i do have a whole lot of fire bricks/tiles around the place. Has anyone used these to build a flue? - obviously wouldn’t be movable

Hi Dave
I saw that fridge a few days ago too.
I dismissed it, even though it looks the part. Old plastic liners are a bugger to deal with and the door seal is probably rubbish.
Just like old cars ( Triumph Stag comes to mind) old fridges are just that, old.
I have just completed re-wiring an outdoor fridge (Gasmate brand) that is lined with 304 grade SS.
I also got this from Trade Me and it was new but the refrigerant system didn't work on installation so apparently it was replaced under warranty.
It is twice the size of the one you can see pictures of earlier.
Keep an eye out for an upright commercial refrigerator like the kind you see in petrol stations.
Skope is a common NZ made brand that usually has the compressor unit on top.
That means you can remove that part and make it more compact. I have one of these, but have yet to wire it up into a flue curing chamber.
The glass front doors are also double glazed, and so long as the seal is good they are efficient.
Also, I have always found that chest freezers are a crap magnet. My wife sees an empty horizontal surface and immediately feels the need to put something on it.

Bill

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Also Bill, forgot to mention, no worries if you're not ok with face to face, being an internet stranger and all, perfectly fine to do it all over the internet!

I have heard of the expression PM on this forum. I think it stands for personal message, although I am not sure. Do that if you know how. And then explain it to me.
I only know what I know to do.