Here in Oregon we had the local community college make a number of these kilns, 4 and 5 foot square. 5 footers weigh around 600 lbs...3 1/2' to 4' seem to be the ideal size and weight for 1-2 people. Handles are nice and a 3/4" drain plug for draining after the quench are nice additions. The larger kilns are nice in that you seldom need to cut the material you're throwing in...anything hanging over the edge gets thrown in after it burns off. The big kilns do warp from the heat, but doesn't affect performance. Thanks for sharing...good video. O.J.
I have a typical TLUD barrel setup and have done the pit method...I've looked for suitable cone kilns but never been able to find one. Might try going your route and having one made locally when I need to replace my current setup. Thanks for sharing!
Have you thought about designing the sides so they are interlocking? That way it could be disassembled and shipped flat. I have been looking for a simple kiln for biochar and don’t like the barrel systems. This looks easy to use. I always have lots of cuttings and sticks on my 5 acre property.
Just curious what fruit is your background picture to your youtube, is it a strawberry tree? I got a small tree but its really small and never did very well.
Do you just put this on top of your beds and put mulch over it? I am just wondering how biochar is used in a more established system that you can’t or don’t want to till?
Here in Oregon we had the local community college make a number of these kilns, 4 and 5 foot square. 5 footers weigh around 600 lbs...3 1/2' to 4' seem to be the ideal size and weight for 1-2 people. Handles are nice and a 3/4" drain plug for draining after the quench are nice additions. The larger kilns are nice in that you seldom need to cut the material you're throwing in...anything hanging over the edge gets thrown in after it burns off. The big kilns do warp from the heat, but doesn't affect performance. Thanks for sharing...good video. O.J.
I have a typical TLUD barrel setup and have done the pit method...I've looked for suitable cone kilns but never been able to find one. Might try going your route and having one made locally when I need to replace my current setup. Thanks for sharing!
Have you thought about designing the sides so they are interlocking? That way it could be disassembled and shipped flat. I have been looking for a simple kiln for biochar and don’t like the barrel systems. This looks easy to use. I always have lots of cuttings and sticks on my 5 acre property.
Great idea. I'll look into it
Great! Sounds like a great setup for producing biochar.
You can cut part of the side of a 55 gallon barrel to make a kiln.
Cook stuff + make biochar = Win win
You can also use 55 gallon drum. Some cut part of the side out. And fill it like you are doing.
What is the cost?
I'm curious, about how much time did you tend that fire to get that amount of char? TIA.
A few hours I think. I'm usually doing something else while it burns and just top it off when needed
What's the size of this kiln? Width of the top, size of the bottom square and the height?
That's an awful lot of char. Looks like that method is a winner. Did you use the Tithonia stumps?
No, it was oak and Brazilian pepper logs from some land clearing this spring
Did you have that made? Nice thank you
Sorry asked to soon. Could you give dimensions and Angle of slope thank you
Just curious what fruit is your background picture to your youtube, is it a strawberry tree? I got a small tree but its really small and never did very well.
Those are lychees
What are the dimensions?
Looks like a good idea, l do the pit method. How do you grind yours up?
A tamper works well. In the steel enclosure its much easier to crush and not lose any
Be careful grinding it up dry, because breathing the dust is harmful.
Do you just put this on top of your beds and put mulch over it? I am just wondering how biochar is used in a more established system that you can’t or don’t want to till?
Yes, it's best for top dressing. Even better to inoculate with compost tea or worm castings before using it