Operational

Firewood drying costs

OverviewMiniQuick (wood heat)MiniQuick (Natural gas)MiniQuick (LP gas)Hot water (normal)Low pressure steamHot water container systems
 
OVERVIEW - COST TO DRY 1200 CORD PER YEAR AT 66% CAPACITY.
We have compared the cost of drying firewood with 6 different systems.

Use the links on top to see the exact investment and cost calculation for each drying system.

You can have drying cost per cord in the low $30 range and in the low 20 cent range for a bundle if you do not consider the cost of the investment.

If you include the cost of the investment you can get drying cost as low as $70 per cord and about 44 cents per bundle.


INVESTMENT & COST PER CORD OVERVIEW FOR MINIQUICK SOLUTIONS
 

Total
Investment
in equipment

Cost per
cord / bundle
incl  loan payments

Operating
cost per
cord / bundle

MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kiln heated with wood waste

$189700

$70 / cord
$0.44 / bundle

$33 / cord
$0.21 / bundle
MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kiln heated with Natural gas

$142200

$71 / cord
$0.44 / bundle

$43 / cord
$0.27 / bundle
MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kiln heated with LP gas

$142200

$113 / cord
$0.71 / bundle

$85 / cord
$0.53 / bundle
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.



INVESTMENT & COST PER CORD OVERVIEW FOR OTHER SOLUTIONS
 

Total
Investment
in equipment

Cost per
cord / bundle
incl  loan payments

Operating
cost per
cord / bundle
Container based 6 cord firewood kiln using
wood waste heating with hot water stove.

$311500

$108 / cord
$0.68 / bundle

$48 / cord
$0.30 / bundle
Mid size 12 cord firewood kiln with wood waste heating system
using low pressure steam or pressurized hot water coil

$365600

$104 / cord
$0.65 / bundle

$33 / cord
$0.21 / bundle
Large 20 cord firewood kiln using
wood waste heating with hot water stove

$350800

$94 / cord
$0.59 / bundle

$32 / cord
$0.20 / bundle
       
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.
MINIQUICK WITH WOOD WASTE HEATING (2 KILNS)
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Two MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kilns.
Firewood basket: 6 sets of firewood baskets (3 sets per kiln = 72 half cord baskets).
Heating system: Included in MiniQuick.
Fuel system: Wood waste to be loaded every 9-13 hours.
Drying temperature: Supply=250F
Drying time: 2 days



OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $3670/month US$/yr

44040.00
Labor to load and unload - 1 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/6 x 45) US$/yr

9000.00
Labor cost for operating kiln per charge
(3 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/6 x 3 x 15) 		US$/yr

9000.00
Fuel costs based on 50% waste from splitting and 50% purchased at $80 per cord.
Approx 1 to 1.5 cord per load: 1200 / 6 = 200 loads x (1.25 cord x 50% x $80) 		US$/yr

10000.00
6KW per hour x 48 hours = 288 KW x $0.12/kw =35 per load x 200 loads US$/yr

7000.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $15 per load. (1200 / 6 x 15) US$/yr

4500.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

83540.00
     
Total cost per cord with capital costs (83540 / 1200) US$

69.62
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($39500 / 1200) US$

32.92
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for 2 MiniQuick firewood kiln with wood waste heating and 3 sets of baskets per kiln.
Two MiniQuick standard model with wood waste heating and long conveyor with USDA upgrade US$

109900.00
Six sets of firewood baskets. (72 half cord baskets)
 US$

48600.00
Installation with foundation and wiring ($10000 per kiln) US$

20000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$ 178500.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 4 loads: US$

11200.00
     
Total investment delivered 600 miles from Burgaw, NC US$

189700.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 3670 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison is based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.



MINIQUICK WITH NATURAL GAS HEAT (2 KILNS)
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Two MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kilns.
Firewood basket: 6 sets of firewood baskets  (3 sets per kiln = 72 half cord baskets).
Heating system: Natural gas burner installed on MiniQuick kiln.
Fuel system: Natural gas at $7 per million btu
Drying temperature: Supply=250F
Drying time: 2 days


OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $2650/month US$/yr

34700.00
Labor to load and unload - 1 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/6 x 45) US$/yr

9000.00
Labor cost for operating kiln (1 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/6 x 1 x 15) US$/yr

3000.00
Fuel costs based on 3000000 btu/cord at $8.00 per million btu (NATURAL GAS)
1200 cord x 3mmbtu x $8
 US$/yr

28800.00
6KW per hour x 48 hours = 288 KW x $0.12/kw =35 per load x 200 loads US$/yr

7000.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $10 per load. (1200 / 6 x 10) US$/yr

3000.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

85500.00
     
Total cost per cord (85500 / 1200) with capital costs
 US$

71.25
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($50800 / 1200) US$

42.33
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for 2 MiniQuick firewood kiln with gas heating and 3 sets of baskets per kiln.
Two MiniQuick standard model with wood waste heating and long conveyor with USDA upgrade US$

62400.00
Six sets of firewood baskets. (72 half cord baskets) US$

48600.00
Installation with foundation and wiring ($10000 per kiln) US$

20000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$ 131000.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 4 loads: US$

11200.00
     
Total investment delivered 600 miles from Burgaw, NC US$

142200.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 2650 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.


MINIQUICK WITH LP GAS HEAT (2 KILNS)
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Two MiniQuick 6 cord firewood kilns.
Firewood basket: 6 sets of firewood baskets (3 sets per kiln = 72 half cord baskets).
Heating system: LP gas burner installed on MiniQuick kiln.
Fuel system: LP gas at $22 per million btu ($2 per gallon)
Drying temperature: Supply=250F
Drying time: 2 days


OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $2650/month US$/yr

34700.00
Labor to load and unload - 1 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/6 x 45) US$/yr

9000.00
Labor cost for operating kiln (1 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/6 x 1 x 15) US$/yr

3000.00
Fuel costs based on 3000000 btu/cord at $22.00 per million btu (NATURAL GAS)
1200 cord x 3mmbtu x $22
 US$/yr

79200.00
6KW per hour x 48 hours = 288 KW x $0.12/kw =35 per load x 200 loads US$/yr

7000.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $10 per load. (1200 / 6 x 10) US$/yr

3000.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

135900.00
     
Total cost per cord (135900 / 1200) with capital costs
 US$

113.25
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($101200 / 1200) US$

84.33
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for 2 MiniQuick firewood kiln with gas heating and 3 sets of baskets per kiln.
Two MiniQuick standard model with wood waste heating and long conveyor with USDA upgrade US$

62400.00
Six sets of firewood baskets. (72 half cord baskets) US$

48600.00
Installation with foundation and wiring ($10000 per kiln) US$

20000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$

131000.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 4 loads: US$

11200.00
     
Total investment delivered 600 miles from Burgaw, NC US$

142200.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 2650 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

HOT WATER FIREWOOD KILN (2 X 20 CORD KILN CHAMBERS)
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Two 20 cord firewood kilns with hot water coils
Firewood basket: 3 sets of firewood baskets per kiln (1.5 sets per kiln = 120 half cord baskets).
Heating system: Two Central boiler stoves model 7260.
Fuel system: Wood waste from splitting process to be loaded every 6-8 hours
Drying temperature: Supply=170F
Drying time: 5-7 days

OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $6260/month US$/yr

75120.00
Labor to load and unload - 3 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/20 x 45 x 3) US$/yr

8100.00
Labor cost for operating kiln (6 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/20 x 6 x 15) US$/yr

5400.00
Fuel costs based on 50% waste from splitting and 50% purchased at $80 per cord.
Approx 1 to 1.5 cord per load: 1200 / 6 = 200 loads x (1.25 cord x 50% x $80) 		US$/yr

10000.00
12KW per hour x 144 hours = 1728 KW x $0.12/kw =207 per load x 60 loads US$/yr

12420.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $30 per load. (1200 / 20 x 30) US$/yr

1800.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

112840.00
     
Total cost per cord (112840 / 1200) including cost of baskets.
 US$

94.03
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($37720 / 1200) US$

31.43
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for two 20 m3 firewood kiln with wood waste heating from two 7260 Central boiler stoves and 2 sets of baskets per kiln.
Two 20 cord Hot water firewood kiln (aluminum panel construction)
 US$

160000.00
Three sets of firewood baskets. (120 half cord firewood baskets)
 US$

81000.00
Two 7260 Central boiler hot water stoves (each $15000) US$

30000.00
Piping to kilns from boilers US$

6000.00
Installation with foundation and wiring ($15000 per kiln) US$

30000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$ 307000.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 6loads: US$

16800.00
     
Total investment delivered 700 miles from Burgaw, NC US$

323800.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 6260 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

LOW PRESSURE STEAM / PRESSURIZED HOT WATER
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Two 12 cord firewood kilns with high pressure hot water coils or steam coils
Firewood basket: 4 sets of firewood baskets per kiln (2 sets per kiln = 96 half cord baskets).
Heating system: One steam or high pressure boiler with automatic sawduct/chip feed system
Fuel system: Sawdust or wood chip wood waste from outside source.
Drying temperature: Supply=210F
Drying time: 4 days


OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $7070/month US$/yr

84840.00
Labor to load and unload - 2 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/12 x 45 x 2) US$/yr

9000.00
Labor cost for operating kiln (3 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/12 x 3 x 15) US$/yr

4500.00
Fuel costs based on 100% waste purchased from outside (sawdust of mulch)
Approx 3 cord of sawdust per load: 1200 / 12 = 100 loads x (3 cord x 100% x $50) 		US$/yr

15000.00
8KW per hour x  96 hours = 768 KW x $0.12/kw =92 per load x 100 loads US$/yr

9200.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $20 per load. (1200 / 12 x 20) US$/yr

2000.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

124540.00
     
Total cost per cord (124540 / 1200) including cost of baskets.
 US$

103.78
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($39700 / 1200) US$

33.08
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for two 20 m3 firewood kiln with wood waste heating from one wood waste boiler system and 2 sets of baskets per kiln.
Two 12 cord SmallQuick firewood kiln  with either high pressure hot water coils or low pressure steam
 US$

142000.00
Four sets of firewood baskets. (96 half cord firewood baskets)
 US$

64800.00
Automated sawdust burner with boiler with 1.5 million btu/hr
 US$

100000.00
Piping to kilns from boilers US$

12000.00
Installation with foundation and wiring ($15000 per kiln) US$

30000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$ 348800.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 6 loads: US$

16800.00
     
Total investment delivered 700 miles from Burgaw, NC US$ 365600.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 7070 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

HOT WATER CONTAINER SYSTEMS (6 UNITS)
Specifications for this system:
Firewood kiln: Six 6 cord firewood kilns with hot water coils from Mountain firewood kiln Ebay store
Firewood basket: 9 sets of firewood baskets per kiln (1.5 sets per kiln = 108 half cord baskets).
Heating system: Two Central boiler stoves model 7260.
Fuel system: Wood waste from splitting process to be loaded every 6-8 hours
Drying temperature: Supply=170F
Drying time: 5-7 days

OPERATING COST PER CORD
     
Monthly lease payment based on 60month and 6% interest. Between $6030/month US$/yr

72360.00
Labor to load and unload - 1.5 hour at $45.00 per cycle (1200/6 x 45 x 1.5) US$/yr

13500.00
Labor cost for operating kiln (2 hr x $15 for loading bins/paperwork) (1200/6 x 2 x 15) US$/yr

6000.00
Fuel costs based on 34% waste from splitting and 66% purchased at $80 per cord.
Approx 2 cord per load: 1200 / 6 = 200 loads x (2 cord x 66% x $80) 		US$/yr

21120.00
4KW per hour x 144 hours = 576 KW x $0.12/kw =70 per load x 200 loads US$/yr

14000.00
Maintenance costs estimated at $10 per load. (1200 / 6 x 10) US$/yr

2000.00
Total annual cost for heat treating and drying 1200 cords of firewood. US$/yr

128980.00
     
Total cost per cord (128980 / 1200) including cost of baskets.
 US$

107.48
     
Cost per cord without capital costs ($56620 / 1200) US$

47.18
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

 


Investment for six 6 cord container based firewood kiln with wood waste heating from two 7260 Central boiler stoves and 1.5 sets of baskets per kiln.
Six used containers
 US$

36000.00
Six kits for making container (Mountain Firewood kiln offer on Ebay - $19500 each) US$

117000.00
Nine sets of firewood baskets. (108 half cord firewood baskets)
 US$

72900.00
Two 7260 Central boiler hot water stoves (each $15000) US$

30000.00
Piping to kilns from boilers
 US$

6000.00
Installation and wiring ($5000 per kiln) US$

30000.00
 
 
Total investment before freight US$ 291900.00
     
Freight estimated to be 700 miles of 7 loads: US$

19600.00
     
Total investment delivered 700 miles from Burgaw, NC US$

311500.00
     
Monthly payments based on 6% interest and 60 month payment plan = US$ 6030 per month.
 The prices and cost figures in this comparison are based on January 2012 - Current prices and cost may have changed.

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