This is a simple method that produces very little smoke and, for bio char production will work with saw dust, bark small twigs, weed and plant residue. If you are making charcoal for the forge or cook stove, you will want fairly uniform size pieces. Wood species is not too important except for black powder production or barbecue fuel.
230gr
Simple Down Burning Drum Method (5/28/2015)
This is another very basic biochar production that requires only a good steel drum with a tight fitting steel lid. It works on the fact that kindling, started on fire at the top of the barrel, will propagate downward as it burns pyrolyzes the main wood charge below. As the pyrolyzed volatiles passes upward through the fire, they are burned cleanly. When the kindling has burned down and the main charge has become a mass of glowing wood coals, the lid is placed on top of the barrel and weighed down to keep a near airtight seal. The retained heat will continue to cook the coal but without enough oxygen to actually burn. When the barrel has cooled down enough the handle, the biochar can be removed and sprayed with water to be sure it does there no live embers. The biochar can now be crushed to size and is ready for use. Any charred pieces of wood that did not become biochar (often dense knots) can be added to your next batch to be pyrolyzed.
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