The Potting Shed

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2562

A failed first attempt at making charcoal

Having read a few articles on charcoal production, my cousin and I
decided to try our hands at it: Here follows an account of the adventure,
and how not to do it! A failed first attempt at making charcoal.

The principle is that in a confined space, you create a fire of around
1500 degrees core temperature, then restrict airflow so that it burns
at minimum oxygen input, and burns instead the volatile gases contained
in the wood to convert the timber to carbon, with minimum moisture
content remaining.

We therefore located a 50 gallon oil drum, chopped a huge pile of
mainly seasoned wood of all sizes, and proceeded to create a bonfire.

This was to burn off the varnish inside the drum, and paint outside.

This was to prevent hydrocarbons finding their way into the final
product which would be used to cook food.

We created airflow holes in the barrel base, using buckshot cartridges
as we had no suitable tools in the wood!!

The barrel was then positioned over a trench so we could earth up the
air intake at the critical moment. We built the fire up to the top of
the barrel, compacted the timber in, and allowed several hours to pass as
the heat intensity increased. Apparently when the smoke changes colour
from white to clear, you have boiled out all the moisture, and are now
running hot enough to clamp on the lid and restrict airflow.

The fire continued for two days, with regular restocking of timber.
Finally, when the fire was cool enough, the lid was removed and the barrel
emptied. The result was very disappointing: Enough charcoal remained
only to fill two sugar packets.

Additionally, I had packed two terra cotta drainage pipes with willow
wands, to see if I could produce artist's charcoal. One pipe exploded,
the other, sadly, permitted most of the willow to be burnt, with only a
few short bits remaining.

After this failed attempt, we shall experiment with a different design
on which we have already begun, which will keep the charcoal timber in
a separate container above the fire, to enable us to roast the wood
without it coming in direct contact with the flames. A future article will
follow!

Kathy · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

You know, I'd never really given any thought to how charcoal was made. Now I look at the word properly it does say "CHAR COAL". I don't think it's something I would attempt but look forward to seeing your next attempt! Smile

nanny · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject:

charcoal burning is a bit of an art form i think.....

special men deep down in the woods where they would stay linked to their burners for days

could make you go a bit funny lloyd

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2562

AmI not funny now? (sulks)

Anyway, that was a long time ago, and life has moved on apace. Can't see me doing that again in the forseeable future, but it was fun trying!

Probably best for the community that I don't try again anyway, after the fire in the wood!!!! Rolling Eyes

willow · Star Dust Club Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 38

I saw Ray Mears do that once...it's a very complicated process.

lloyd · 5 Star Club Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 2562

It certainly is!....Jolly good fun too, though, and only time consuming in the sense of popping back each day to tittivate it.