pine makes great charcoal

[silvafox]

Last week I experimented with at making charcoal purely from seasoned scots pine. I use a 6 foot diameter steel ring kiln. The pine was just arb ops waste.

 

I couldn't believe the quality and quantity of the stuff. The kiln was about 45% full of black gold.

 

Not surprising really, they use pine to make charcoal in Corsica. I think the UK undervalues the so-called softwoods and myths persist about what woods good and whats not.

 

I immediately chucked a couple of buckets full in the barby. It was ripping in no time. We cooked meat for six and the coals where cooking for almost two hours!

 

I've used alder, hornbeam, ash etc and yes they do make good charcoal. But, I challenge anyone to spot the difference in an unmarked bag!

 

10 years ago I tried to make money making charcoal but gradually did more arb as you can 'peel it off em', unlike forestry and coppicing.

 

I kept the kiln. Its great to be burning again.

 

Next week, red cedar!

[Ian Leach]

Last week I experimented with at making charcoal purely from seasoned scots pine. I use a 6 foot diameter steel ring kiln. The pine was just arb ops waste.

 

I couldn't believe the quality and quantity of the stuff. The kiln was about 45% full of black gold.

 

Not surprising really, they use pine to make charcoal in Corsica. I think the UK undervalues the so-called softwoods and myths persist about what woods good and whats not.

 

I immediately chucked a couple of buckets full in the barby. It was ripping in no time. We cooked meat for six and the coals where cooking for almost two hours!

 

I've used alder, hornbeam, ash etc and yes they do make good charcoal. But, I challenge anyone to spot the difference in an unmarked bag!

 

10 years ago I tried to make money making charcoal but gradually did more arb as you can 'peel it off em', unlike forestry and coppicing.

 

I kept the kiln. Its great to be burning again.

 

Next week, red cedar!

 

Nice to here it went well, Like i said before were burning sweet chestnut and that burns bloody hot. We will be trying other types of wood too as it was our first burn.

[firewoodman]

I think the UK undervalues the so-called softwoods and myths persist about what woods good and whats not.

 

 

I've used alder, hornbeam, ash etc and yes they do make good charcoal. But, I challenge anyone to spot the difference in an unmarked bag!

 

10 years ago I tried to make money making charcoal but gradually did more arb as you can 'peel it off em', unlike forestry and coppicing.

 

I kept the kiln. Its great to be burning again.

 

Next week, red cedar!

 

i fully agree with you about the species,

 

i have found pine to burn for quite some time in a stove but have also found it does take quite a while to dry out.

 

i always found that charcoaling was a lot of effort for little reward, especially if doing it for bioregional.

 

well done for giving it a go

[BARNSLEY BOB]

some photos would be nice ,please,,,,costs,,returns,,methodology,,

and ian...what part of the world are you in,fillout your avitar

cheers bob...

[Tom11]

When we make charcoal we tend to chuck in a bit of Pine and never have any problems or compliants. Prefer to mix it in rather than just on its own. Out of interest was the burn time any different to hardwoods?

[silvafox]

Burn time was 13 hours. First burn on unconditioned site. Seasoned pine. Split logs not polewood.

 

I only did this burn as my yard is jamming up with arb log bi-product. The kiln has been quietly rusting in a forgotten corner for a few years.

 

Now she is back in action but the feet/shoes are in need of replacement.

 

Coal is for me, friends and family. Although its got me thinkiing about an extra few quid. Mainly because I enjoy making it. Especially as you can drink much beer once the cuttings done!

[Tom11]

Burn time was 13 hours. First burn on unconditioned site. Seasoned pine. Split logs not polewood.

 

I only did this burn as my yard is jamming up with arb log bi-product. The kiln has been quietly rusting in a forgotten corner for a few years.

 

Now she is back in action but the feet/shoes are in need of replacement.

 

Coal is for me, friends and family. Although its got me thinkiing about an extra few quid. Mainly because I enjoy making it. Especially as you can drink much beer once the cuttings done!

 

I haven't done many burns this year due to other commitments but I can sell all I make easily. I tend to sell in bulk to other burners to help them meet their demands. It means I don't have to worry about bagging it all and marketing but I do get to enjoy a nice evening with a couple of beers and some mates!

[chestnut]

can anyone recommend a good way to make a homemade burner / kiln for charcoal production (small scale)

 

i have a huge amount of wood that i can play with - just not sure how to get going

 

i don't really want to do it the old fashioned way, with a large stack - so was wondering if i can do small loads using oil drums or something similar

 

any tips greatly appreciated

[Justme]

Check out THIS site.

 

Justme

[Ian Leach]

can anyone recommend a good way to make a homemade burner / kiln for charcoal production (small scale)

 

i have a huge amount of wood that i can play with - just not sure how to get going

 

i don't really want to do it the old fashioned way, with a large stack - so was wondering if i can do small loads using oil drums or something similar

 

any tips greatly appreciated

 

 

Have a look at this it might help.

 

http://www.allotmentforestry.com/fact/Charcoal.htm

 

Ian