If you had a smaller volume dry kiln would your drying quality improve?

[PhilM]

Do you think that if you had a smaller volume dry kiln your drying quality would improve?  Possible reasons for improved drying quality could include:

• less time required to build a complete kiln load of same species, thickness, and length (and less need to mix species, thicknesses, or initial moisture contents)
• less time would mean less chance of developing the precursors of stain in lumber before the kiln during summer months
• less time might mean lumber packages spend a similar amount of time on air drying yard, hence have similar initial moisture contents so that the starting kiln schedule is right for all the lumber
• a smaller kiln should be able to achieve more uniform drying conditions in terms of heat, humidity and air flow, resulting in a more uniform final moisture content

Obviously having multiple smaller kilns (as opposed to a single larger kiln) would be a larger capital investment.  Do you think there is enough demand for lumber having a high drying quality that would support the increased price due to increased costs?

[TILLAMOOK]

Yes, possibly.  Having smaller kilns could help the operator control the species or dimension mix better and also help to keep the inventory rotated.