Have you considered a water coil around the external drum? It may assist in the drums longevity and you get piping hot water. Just a thought as you siad youve been lighting one batch per day.
I actually have considered doing that but I don't have a specific use for the water I would be heating. I have wanted to find some use for the wasted energy but I haven't come up with a solution yet. 🤷♂️
The size is just about perfect for 1 person to operate. Copper tubing for heat exchange -> kao-wool for insulation -> sheet aluminum to safely sink excess heat and aesthetic enhancement -> Tesla Turbine @Integza
Hello happy homesteader! I loved this video. Your scale looked like it was measuring in Pounds and Ounces. Given the average numbers you were stating (ex. 49.10lbs actually reads 49lbs 10oz on the scale), and converting it all to ounces, I re-calculated 78.5 % reduction. Still SUPER close to what your numbers came out to. That is insane to me how much it loses. Hope this message finds you well, and boosts your views on the algorithm!
Haha good catch! My wife jammed me up on that too! She calculated and got similar results as yours. Since it was so close It was not worth re shooting the video so that's why I indicated weight values were rounded to approximation. Thanks for running the numbers! 🤘
You are an amazing teacher, I have a question, what if use any other type of woods, or there is specific trees that we have to use for the biochar? Thank you very much
You can use any organic material that is thoroughly dried. Different wood has different pore structure and density which in turn will yield a different end product but all untreated wood will make good char. I use a soft wood primarily because that's what I have access but I also make char from various feedstock collected from my property. Thanks for watching.
That was going to be a question I would have asked I am blown away with this idea, I too have an unlimted supply of timber off cuts. I could go into production of bio char as I also have acess to cow and chicken dung
When you load the outer barrel with the wood to be combusted, do you put a layer on the bottom before placing the inner barrel into it? Or does the inner barrel sit directly on the bottom of the outer barrel?
Do you have a video showing the construction of the retort? Also, what would you suggest as the best way to reintroduce nutrients for someone in a suburban area, with little or no access to manure or the methods you use? Just starting to turn my thumb green, eager to learn
I did not make any videos during the construction of the retort but I did a video showing the first batch run in it: ua-cam.com/video/gWm-qMazTCw/v-deo.html There are many things that can be done to increase fertility and create compost in a small backyard environment. Vermicomposting (worms) may be a great non-invasive system to look into. There are many options to choose from and I would suggest researching which would best suit you. Good luck. 👍
@@therealprtrhsenteal thank you very much for the reply. I will start my research on composting there. Thank you. I look forward to seeing the rest of your content and future content.
As a UA-cam expert viewer on this topic, I would have guess a reduction factor of 5 (about 80%) and half size in volume reduction. I feel like a champs because I was pretty close to your real numbers. However, with a larger and more efficient setup, you will get better results (of course!). Thumbs up from Montréal
Great information there eh! I did a video on making biochar on my channel check it out and ket me know what u think... plan in building a retort like yours when I source out a smaller inner barrel, I have a couple deer skulls with racks that I want to try charring to display... thanks for sharing
Yes I suppose that could be done if the fire remained hot enough for long enough and depending on the size of the animal. I have never burned anything but wood in this retort.
Thank you for your sharing your knowledge with us...are there any kind of burn barrels you need to avoid when setting these up? Say, if its painted or had some kind of chemicals stored in them possibly. Or does any of that matter really?
I personally would not be too concerned if the barrel had been used for non-food grade applications like petroleum storage or other hazmat. Painted barrels would not be an issue in my opinion as all of the material would burn off within the first batch or two. The barrel that I use was new and un-used however it was painted. All paint was gone within a couple of batches. This is just my opinion. Good luck!
Thanks for making this playlist and taking the time to document your experiment.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Have you considered a water coil around the external drum? It may assist in the drums longevity and you get piping hot water.
Just a thought as you siad youve been lighting one batch per day.
I actually have considered doing that but I don't have a specific use for the water I would be heating. I have wanted to find some use for the wasted energy but I haven't come up with a solution yet. 🤷♂️
The size is just about perfect for 1 person to operate. Copper tubing for heat exchange -> kao-wool for insulation -> sheet aluminum to safely sink excess heat and aesthetic enhancement -> Tesla Turbine @Integza
Cool. Thanks for diving into this. I love experimenting and figuring things out. I am learning quite a bit from you.
Right on Rod. I appreciate it man!
Hello happy homesteader! I loved this video. Your scale looked like it was measuring in Pounds and Ounces. Given the average numbers you were stating (ex. 49.10lbs actually reads 49lbs 10oz on the scale), and converting it all to ounces, I re-calculated 78.5 % reduction. Still SUPER close to what your numbers came out to. That is insane to me how much it loses. Hope this message finds you well, and boosts your views on the algorithm!
Haha good catch! My wife jammed me up on that too! She calculated and got similar results as yours. Since it was so close It was not worth re shooting the video so that's why I indicated weight values were rounded to approximation. Thanks for running the numbers! 🤘
Man you have it down that is a great method. Good answer on that question!
Thanks Bruce! 👊
Nice work!
Thanks!
Just getting into biochar, very interesting ! Learning the charging method as well, so simple yet so complex ! TY !
Very simple indeed. Thanks for watching! 😉
You are an amazing teacher, I have a question, what if use any other type of woods, or there is specific trees that we have to use for the biochar?
Thank you very much
You can use any organic material that is thoroughly dried. Different wood has different pore structure and density which in turn will yield a different end product but all untreated wood will make good char. I use a soft wood primarily because that's what I have access but I also make char from various feedstock collected from my property. Thanks for watching.
@@therealprtrhsenteal
Thanks a million for your valuable feedback and response
That was going to be a question I would have asked I am blown away with this idea, I too have an unlimted supply of timber off cuts. I could go into production of bio char as I also have acess to cow and chicken dung
Awesome. All of which may make pretty good char. 👌
Thanks for the detail. This stuff is worth it's weight in gold.
You are welcome. Glad you liked:)
When you load the outer barrel with the wood to be combusted, do you put a layer on the bottom before placing the inner barrel into it? Or does the inner barrel sit directly on the bottom of the outer barrel?
There is nothing in between the barrels. The inner barrel is in direct contact with the outer barrel.
Damn, a few hours in there and i'd be looking sharp after that!
Do you have a video showing the construction of the retort? Also, what would you suggest as the best way to reintroduce nutrients for someone in a suburban area, with little or no access to manure or the methods you use? Just starting to turn my thumb green, eager to learn
I did not make any videos during the construction of the retort but I did a video showing the first batch run in it: ua-cam.com/video/gWm-qMazTCw/v-deo.html
There are many things that can be done to increase fertility and create compost in a small backyard environment. Vermicomposting (worms) may be a great non-invasive system to look into. There are many options to choose from and I would suggest researching which would best suit you. Good luck. 👍
@@therealprtrhsenteal thank you very much for the reply. I will start my research on composting there. Thank you. I look forward to seeing the rest of your content and future content.
Interesting. Im going back n watch how u built that. My barrel burned itself right through 2days ago 😮the bottom fell off. Lol
I have a few videos in my biochar Playlist which shows how I put it together. Pretty simple design really.
As a UA-cam expert viewer on this topic, I would have guess a reduction factor of 5 (about 80%) and half size in volume reduction.
I feel like a champs because I was pretty close to your real numbers.
However, with a larger and more efficient setup, you will get better results (of course!).
Thumbs up from Montréal
Lol. You were almost spot on!
Great information there eh! I did a video on making biochar on my channel check it out and ket me know what u think... plan in building a retort like yours when I source out a smaller inner barrel, I have a couple deer skulls with racks that I want to try charring to display... thanks for sharing
Yeah man I will check it out! 👍
Awesome!
Came here from the SOE & Nicole Sauce podcast.
Right on brother. Welcome!
Great job… could it be possible to “cremate” a dead pet in this barrel? Thanks 👍
Yes I suppose that could be done if the fire remained hot enough for long enough and depending on the size of the animal. I have never burned anything but wood in this retort.
Thank you for your sharing your knowledge with us...are there any kind of burn barrels you need to avoid when setting these up? Say, if its painted or had some kind of chemicals stored in them possibly. Or does any of that matter really?
I personally would not be too concerned if the barrel had been used for non-food grade applications like petroleum storage or other hazmat. Painted barrels would not be an issue in my opinion as all of the material would burn off within the first batch or two. The barrel that I use was new and un-used however it was painted. All paint was gone within a couple of batches. This is just my opinion. Good luck!