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The Sauno Wood Kiln |
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The Sauno Method
Steam treatment of wood, followed by a controlled drying process, has a long tradition among quality furniture producers in Scandinavia. This method creates superb quality wood that is extremely stable and free from flaws.
The Sauno method is a 2 stage process. The first stage is steaming at 70°-75° which opens the pores of the wood. The second stage is thedrying process at a temperature of 40°- 50° which slowly evaporates the moisture from the centre of the timber. With this 2 stage process you reduce the risk of cracking to a minimum.
How was SAUNO developed!
The Sauno is the brainchild of a woodworker, Leif Mattsson, who developed the idea over 20 years ago. For several years he produced tailored kilns (made of aluminium), based on the SAUNO steam process.
Since those pioneering days a new Sauno unit has been developed that is better suited to the more easily constructed polystyrene boards that form the kiln. The early Sauno kilns were made from aluminium but now the kiln can now be made from inexpensive 50 mm thick insulation boards. Sauno has also developed special screws for the kiln for elastic joining of the boards.
A Sauno kiln produces steam treated wood of superb quality.. It has been sold in its present form for over 3 years and is popular in Scandinavia and Austria. It made its UK debut at The Festival of The Tree at Westonbirt 2007 where Sauno received interest from individuals, clubs and businesses who wish to build as a cost effective kiln to their own size requirements. The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum were so impressed that they bought one and there will be in use very shortly. Magazine reviews will also be published shortly. We have now sold a dozen VT3's since Westonbirt so there will be some interesting feedback arriving from our kiln makers over the next few months. We have been trying to decipher the Swedish/English instructions that were supplied but apologise if some of the phrasing is awkward! |
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