Making Charcoal at Home Part 1: Theory and Preparation
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2024
- Charcoal making, not just the how but also the why!
Here I discuss the what actually happens when you burn wood and how that relates to charcoal. Then describe a couple of different methods of making charcoal before preparing some old oil drums. In part 2 I'll show two different ways to use them for charcoal production.
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I've learnt more about the theory behind fire making in the last 12 mins than I have in 40+ years....... Brilliant video.
My father in law was a Charcoal burner. My brother in law still keeps the business going, they have charcoal kilns in their wood and produce product for the local shops and home barbecue people
It's good to know they're still out there!
That really was some of the best iron thumping you've done for a long time.
The hole making sequence with the pick axe made me smile.
A very interesting explanation. I’ve never considered this before and now I’m fascinated.
Had the absolute pleasure of watching professional Charcoal makers using their kiln before, their kiln was massive, at least 6ft wide and similar high, they were doing it in a hardwood forest and used fallen branches and dead trees. In the end they helped the forest owner as well by cleaning up. They explained it almost exactly like you have
_FASCINATING_ ~ The things we take for granted!
In the tradition of great demonstrations, cheers
I do love that bramble, also 100 percent yield.
I love that you used a pick axe to make the holes, I'd have had a drill out like an idiot!😂
Lol. 10:16 Max's steel band. 😄
I think you should have left those 44 gallon bramble fruits to mature and hatch into Land Rover body panels. After watching your channel for many years now, I can confidently say that's how it works.
Hi Max Love your channel. I met your mate Mark at the Tall ships in Gloucester the other week. Lovely bloke.
Need a comedy sized tin opener. ;)
Actually... maybe the picaxe IS a comedy sized tin opener?
Looking forward to part two. Don’t be long
It's out now for patrons, will go public in a day or two.
Your sooooo interesting to listen to, your video is great to watch your voice is great to listen to 👍
see you in part 2
You've really inspired me to have a go at setting up a little forge and have a go at blacksmithing. Can't wait for the next installment of this. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
That was the simplest but best explanation of why we use and what charcoal is Thanks 😊
Great entertainment as always. Max I have a large industrial air tank that was in use in my place of work until the compressor failed and they bought new. The unit was kept inside and is excellent condition. I was going to use it to store more air for my tool use but have since bought a second compressor and have no use for this tank. I would say it is at least the size of the tank you have outside. I have no use for it now and I do not want anything for it but I do not want to see it go to waste. If it were to be any use to you its free, I can supply pics it is blue in colour and was the main compressor for a large truck dealership in Cardiff. The pump failed on the unit and one of the fitters took the motor but the tank is fine.
I
Cracking offer thank you, but the farm next door have recently offered me one too and that's a tad closer! Thanks again though.
"Common or Garden oil barrel" 🤣🤣
Max's Magic Bramble Patch, sounds like a lovely children's book series. I've only ever seen the primitive ways of making charcoal, this is going to be interesting, especially as your drums look very much like a ceramic pit fire set up. Thanks for the video, looking forward to the next. Have a wonderful week.
Also the end of the video reminded me I used to have an old keg filled with sand and water for pressing, awkward but fun to do
I wish I had a magic bramble patch :)
Loved the metal work! My neighbours got uppity when I made an oil drum incinerator, used a jigsaw to cut the top off, noisy and slow, then a blunt cold chisel to make air holes, very noisy. Not a recommended project for a built up area. Great incinerator though, once up to temperature almost anything would burn.
You did the right thing with the jigsaw. Better a few irritated neighbours than an explosion cause by sparks in a drum that could’ve had very volatile chemicals stored in it.
Once the lid is off it’s much safer to burn in, though use a little common sense, if the prior contents smell bad or they give off vapours that you are suspicious of, use a long pole with a lit rag wrapped around it to light it first time. Better cautious than hospitalised or worse!
Great stuff Max! 👍
Watching this with keen eyes. We look after a wood near you and I made some oil drum experiments this winter, with not brilliant results. Am looking forward to better ones after watching your efforts
i've made char-cloth a few times .. seems to be the same process , just on a much larger scale .... Damn i wish i had a magical bramble bush
Great video. It started a bit like a science lesson but with an interesting teacher. This week a Science teacher and couple of weeks ago a PT trainer. Thanks Mr Ironthumper. keep up the good and varied work.👍
Really enjoyed this first part can't wait for the next instalment.
Brilliant explanation of the theory with the bonus of you putting this into practice, thank you for taking the time to do this.
Very informative....and a very interesting explanation and tutorial...thank you.
Is that the same bramble bush that produces Land Rover spares?
Yep!
my bramble patch is not a magical one 😢
Maximus Ironthumper indeed ;) especially at 11:40
We used a giant tin opener on the barrels. It was a manufactured tool.
Good idea, good tool, no risk of explosion as with gas axe or grinder.
Roll out the barrel, let's have a barrel of fun!
Come on - It was just getting good, now I’ll have to go to work 😩
It sounds like the same rudimentary process of coking coal. 👍
Exact same principle, I very nearly added a whole section about coking but managed to stay on topic instead!
If we're going to get all categorical I'm going to have to run a propane forge on wood gas from my retort 😂
You can run a forge on wood, somewhat like you can run it on coal instead of coke. But I wouldn't want to stand near it unless it was a very cold day. And I sure wouldn't want to weld with it.
But I plan to try a smelt with it some day.
Charcoal making is something I'd like to do, but I'd want to be capturing the gases that it releases as well as making the charcoal itself, stored in a nice little gasometer of sorts to use for a gas supply, so that you get more useful energy out of the wood rather than just burning it off as the wood cooked... :)
I have considered similar, trouble with the idea is that in the retort kiln for instance, burning the gases drives the process so removing them means burning more wood underneath to replace the lost energy. No free lunches and all that! Some ring kiln methods do just vent the smoke/gases and that I'd agree is a terrible waste.
@@maximusironthumper If someone were to have an excess of wood (because they own a wood that needed coppicing a lot), it probably would be feasible, but I haven't got that so it's why it's a "would like to do" thing, I've seen a number of videos of people using wood (and coal!) gasifiers to run engines which I find quite fun too... :D
Also don't cut barrels that previously contained flammable liquids with a hot torch. Might have learnt that one the had way. They don't half go boom 😅
good vid on the channel
Good content Max. I think the only thing we haven't seen you drag out of the brambles is blackberries. I reckon your sweet toothed walking partner would enjoy a Blackberry and Apple Pie a la Max, avec creme Anglaise) at the end of summer.
Anyone else being reminded of Jack Hargreaves ?
And just to be clear, I consider this a compliment.
pretty please with sugar on top........ make the retort kiln.....
How's the shoulder pressing your own bodyweight going?
Long way to go yet!
@@maximusironthumper you got this!! 💪
Careful with the heavy shoulder pressing. I snapped a nerve in my neck some years back doing smith machine presses with 120kg and it buggered me for years. Lots of pain and I still have numbness in my right thumb and index finger fifteen years later.
Warm up well and be careful, other than that, good luck and we’ll done for having at it.
How did the Skye trail go ?
Good! Will be the next video after part 2 of the charcoal.
🪵🔥🪨👍🏻
10:17 News at Ten on speed
my new 3am hobbie 10:08
A WORD OF EXTREME WARNING!
NEVER USE OXY-FUEL TO CUT 45GAL DRUMS!
These drums are used to store and transport some incredibly volatile liquids and they’re NOT always marked with labels indicating the prior contents.
I personally, have cut many of these drums, possibly in the hundreds and have always used eitherA) A hammer and sharp bolster or B) a reciprocating saw.
This almost completely reduces the risk of explosion.
I asked my father many years ago WHY we cut drum heads off with the hammer and bolster and he recounted how a young man that worked for a competitor was decapitated by an exploding drum that he was cutting with a gas axe!
DONT DO IT!
The reciprocating saw is best, if one is not available, then use a hammer and sharp bolster and be careful of the sharp edge you create. When you have fully cut the top, lay the drum on its side and with the hammer, flatten any protruding steel to the drum wall.
Even angle grinders can cause explosion as they generate large amounts of hot sparks when used to cut steel, again, DONT USE ONE!
Never take for granted that any drum you encounter is safe, yes it may have only had engine oil in it but it may also have had really nasty, explosive and dangerous chemicals in them.
Good upload M.I I enjoy most of your stuff immensely.
Do you happen to know the latin name for that variety of bramble bush?
Maximus scrapmungus?
Where's part 2?
Out now for Patrons, will be public in a day or two
10:00 Worst steel drum playing ever ... E.V.E.R ! :)
_FASCINATING_ ~ The things we take for granted!