3 Methods of Making Charcoal
Added 2023-04-06 22:16:57 +0000 UTCI needed more charcoal for smelting experiments so I made a video demonstrating the three methods I use. Pit charcoal is the quickest and easiest but produces a lot of smaller pieces that are low density. Mound charcoal makes better quality larger pieces but is more time consuming. Kiln charcoal produces more and better quality charcoal with less labor. Much appreciated.
Comments
Yes but it's not in the current area. But I also did a video on Polynesian arrow root starch https://youtu.be/lMZY_9QNe4I which is in the current area and would be the same material. The briquets might be a possibility especially when larger lumps are needed in a natural draft furnace. On the other hand I've heard people recommend against briquets for smelting or forging, lump charcoal is generally preferred. If using the arrow root I'd mash the bulbs and mix it with the char as is, no need to get the poison out if it's going in the furnace. I'll research it. Thanks.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-28 01:59:05 +0000 UTCDo you have cassava growing wild in your area? I was looking up how to make charcoal briquettes and you need water and a starch binder to hold them together. Cassava flour works very well as a binder. The advantage of a briquette is you can grind up small pieces of charcoal that normally you would not have much use for into consistent sized lumps of charcoal with a even BTU output like the briquettes for a charcoal grill. With a local source of a vegetable binder this would be well with in the scope of your late neolithic early metal working theme.
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-28 01:26:23 +0000 UTCOnly twice. A few weeks ago getting wood for charcoal right hand stung. And last year, firring a batch of bricks right foot stung.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-17 20:39:36 +0000 UTCWow! How many times has this happen?!
Lucas Costa
2023-04-17 11:37:56 +0000 UTCThe last time I was stung one was hiding under bark of dead timber I was collecting for charcoal. Really hard to see too because they have camouflage to hide in wood. Luckily they aren't deadly. Thanks.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-17 10:32:53 +0000 UTCYou prob have to check everywhere before you put your hands on the woods, right? I mean, those scorpions would love to lurk there.... Stay safe! Thanks for the video!
Lucas Costa
2023-04-17 10:14:00 +0000 UTCThere is a flourishing traditional charcoal making industry in Slovenian. The main wood used is Beech. I have used this charcoal in BBQ grills it is really good stuff. They build the traditional European earthen charcoal mounds.
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-12 18:41:48 +0000 UTCIt seems that the lid of the kiln is open for the first part of the firring so that it behaves as an updraft kiln, lit from the bottom not the top. Then the lid is sealed and it behaves as a downdraft kiln with the draft being drawn out the chimneys. The process is explained here better: https://bushcraftuk.com/charcoal-making/ . He says he needs to shift the chimneys around during the firring to ensure a good batch.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-12 11:41:39 +0000 UTCInteresting. So they had the fire drafting down and out the vent/chimneys, rather than in the vents and up out the top. I wonder if that's why they got such a complete yield.
Amy Tobol
2023-04-12 09:05:41 +0000 UTCThat's pretty good quality charcoal, thanks for the link.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-11 13:23:11 +0000 UTChttps://youtu.be/zOz7Gj9aA6U
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-11 13:08:56 +0000 UTCI found the episode on YouTube.
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-11 13:08:43 +0000 UTCYou can see the reason for it in this show. These chimneys were tall enough to cause the draft to draw the fire down through the wood and out. Once they had the draft going strong they sealed them off at the base with handfuls of grass and mud.
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-11 13:06:29 +0000 UTCI'll have to research it. I've seen something like what you've described before but don't know the reasoning behind the design. Thanks.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-10 20:21:46 +0000 UTCJust watched an episode of the BBC series Grand Tour of Scotland; Loche series. In series 1, episode 1. Legends of The West. they were making charcoal. They were using a old iron retort to do the job. But they had a technique you could try. At the base were you place the draft holes they placed chimneys instead, the cover for the retort has no opening so they had these chimneys spaced around the base. They stayed open until they were smoking freely than they sealed them. They had a complete charcoal yield.
Kenneth Crips
2023-04-10 14:29:56 +0000 UTCTrue, they eat the cockroaches in the hut, thus serving a purpose.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 22:27:55 +0000 UTCHow did you make the sieve?
Amy Tobol
2023-04-07 22:17:45 +0000 UTCI meant allies, rather than pets. Definitely avoid the pointy bits!
Amy Tobol
2023-04-07 22:16:31 +0000 UTCThanks Steve, more to come. Much appreciated.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 20:58:47 +0000 UTCAs always thoroughly engrossing. Thanks John
Steve Maynard
2023-04-07 20:34:59 +0000 UTCThanks Ken, much appreciated.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 19:53:24 +0000 UTCThanks for the video, it was interesting. Now to see what you make with all that charcoal! Can't wait.
Ken Clark
2023-04-07 17:00:31 +0000 UTCExotic pets maybe, they're alright if you keep away from the sharp end.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 05:10:14 +0000 UTCNext video normal speed fire making.
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 05:09:00 +0000 UTCHey man, don't be cheap with the firemaking footage now. Centipedes and scorpions are bros, and will eat your pests for you. The centipede might run off the scorpions, though
Amy Tobol
2023-04-07 04:48:01 +0000 UTCI love making the content. Thanks for watching it!
Primitive Technology
2023-04-07 04:22:31 +0000 UTCContinue to love the content. Thanks for making it!
Gordon Tetlow
2023-04-07 03:53:03 +0000 UTC
