Steam Heated Wood Kiln Part 1 - Steam Culture

If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you can thank a boiler!

On today's Steam Culture, we are learning how steam is used to dry lumber for cabinets and hardwood flooring. Our friend Tom Thompson from Salem Hardwood gives us a tour of his operation, and demonstrates how steam is used to dry lumber and prepare it for the next cycle of life.

In order for the wood to dry the lumber is placed inside a kiln, then it's exposed to indirect steam heat of 160-190 degrees for up to 70 hours until dry. Salem Hardwood dries Red Oak, White Oak, Ash, Hickory, Walnut and Poplar.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this series, coming up next week!

Key terms:
Wood Kiln
Steam
Steam Culture
Boiler
Lumber yard
Lumber drying
Salem Hardwood
Green Sawdust
Cured Sawdust
Hardwood
​Red Oak
White Oak
Ash
Hickory
Walnut
Poplar​