Improving the quality and quantity of cinnamon drying process using art cave in Lambung Bukit West Sumatra

Abstract

Cinnamon processing in Padang City constraints when processing cinnamon barks under direct sunlight due to its dependence on weather and vulnerability to dust and animals. Hence, a machine were introduced to a cinnamon drying device named Art-Cave (Smart Dryer System for Cassiavera). This machine can dry cinnamon barks with humidity below 14% to prevent mushroom growth, while the heating temperature allowed is 60 °C to maintain the content of aetheric oil. The machine provides four shelves that are used as storage. The capacity of each shelf is 5 kg of moist cinnamon barks. After the cinnamon barks are evenly arranged, the stove at the bottom of the machine can be switched on. The heat will flow through the room on the side of the box, and the fan blows air into each shelf. On the top, a fan is installed to blow hot air out of the box - the fan functions to maintain the machine temperature on the limit of 60 °C. Therefore, the farmers can improve the drying process from 30 kg/day to about 80 kg/day as well as maintain the demanded ambient temperature by utilizing the machine.