Bamboo drying time by forced ventilation

[charndannio]

I live down in S.C. and have a (Bulk Barn) used to dry flue cured tobacco. I can use these Barns to dry Bamboo Poles. I am trying to find out how long it takes to dry 1.75"-2" bamboo poles by forced ventilation. The temp will probably be around 130-140 degrees F. Also could I break open the Septum Disk in the poles for quicker results? How much would this weaken the pole? I just don't want to have to spend several hundred dollars on fuel cost to find out. Also I am looking at building a large wood fired Kiln to smoke cure the Bamboo Poles. I have read that smoke cured bamboo last a really long time. Here also the Septum Disk would need to be punched out to enable the smoke to get into the center of the pole. I have read that in China, in the old houses there the bamboo is really sought after because it has been smoked for many years from the fireplaces that are in the houses. They say the bugs won't touch it and it is really resistant to rot or mildew. Does anyone know anything in this area. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, charndannio

[CaroleMeckes]

What do you mean by "forced ventilation." fans blowing?

The temp will probably be around 130-140 degrees F.

This temperature seems high to me and might cause some of the bamboo to "pop".

[charndannio]

Yes, this is large fans moving the air around inside the barn. This works best when the barn is packed with tobacco. I can set any heat I want to. I just don't know what the best heat or time it takes to dry the bamboo out. I would think that it would dry much faster if the Septum was busted out, don't you? Thanks, charndannio

[charndannio]

Also Carole, I would like to get your opinion on the wood fired kiln. Have you ever heard of smoking the bamboo to treat it. I thought about those closed chambers and how much pressure they could take before they bursted or cracked to let the air out. Do you have any idea of what type wood is best for smoking the bamboo. It seems to me that fat wood would work best but it is hard to come by and expensive. This wood would leave a layer of tar on the bamboo. I have some of it on the farm but it would take large amounts of it. I have plenty of pine and oak though. I haven't been able to find out what kind of wood is used? Any knowledge or opinions on this would be appreciated. Thanks, Danny/charndannio

[CaroleMeckes]

Danny/charndannio
I don't have any experience in this area - so someone else will have to answer your questions re wood fired kiln.
I am more inclined to use more simple methods of just "air drying bamboo".
Carole

[James Khan]

Dear all,
I am James khan. I am a Bangladeshi. We are going to set up a Bamboo processing plant. But still we are realy unskilled about raw Bamboo (splitted/ non splitted) drying process. I am also interested to know, what is the dried bamboo( splitted/ non splitted) storing process for longer period of time?
Can any body help me?
I will be very happy if I get your feedback.
Thanks a lot
Regards..
James Khan

[CaroleMeckes]

Hi James,
Do you know which species of bamboo you will be harvesting?
Carole