Drying Alder in a DH Kiln

[Mike_Doolittle]

I'm a new woodmizer DM kiln owner and looking for some input.  I'm currently in the process of drying my first load of white oak and it seems to be going well...no checking except just a little on the ends.  Well anyway I'm looking into the future to the next load which needs to be alder.  I need input on a schedule and how much can I lower the mc per day?  Sombody told me that Alder comes out pink in a DM kiln.  Is that true?  If so how do we make it the same color of tan as a steam kiln?
Thanks much...Mike

[Den Socling]

Your first load is White Oak? Isn't the first rule in the operators manual "don't make White Oak your first load"?  

Well, you are in luck. I don't run DH kilns but your DH unit was probably built by Nyle. The owner of Nyle, Don Lewis, pops in here from time to time to give expert answers to questions like your's. I suspect you will need heat to change the color of the Alder.

Ohhh Don?

[Don_Lewis]

To get the darker color for Alder, you set the temp at 140 with the compressor off. Hold it there for a day or two, until the color is right, then cool the kiln and start the drying cycle at 120. If you want to keep the color light, start drying at 110