What woods make the best charcoal?

[Woodworks]

I am branch logging stuff up to turn into charcoal in the summer. The woods I have available are ash, beech, oak, chestnut and sycamore. There is a bit of hazel and thorn but not much so which of our main species would you recommend?

 

Thanks

[csservices]

All of the above will make good charcoal, alder is another one thats traditionally used, small diameter ash always makes nice charcoal and burns hot as anything too

[difflock]

:lol:Alder for gunpowder.

Birch I suspect should also be excellent due to the high sugar sap.

other than that i dunno:lol:

[Gyp]

All of the above will make good charcoal, alder is another one thats traditionally used, small diameter ash always makes nice charcoal and burns hot as anything too

 

Out of interest, what do you call small diameter? Is 3 inch to small?

[Woodworks]

Out of interest, what do you call small diameter? Is 3 inch to small?

 

I hope so as the maximum diameter I can put through the branch logger is just under 3"

[shavey]

I am branch logging stuff up to turn into charcoal in the summer. The woods I have available are ash, beech, oak, chestnut and sycamore. There is a bit of hazel and thorn but not much so which of our main species would you recommend?

 

Thanks

 

i was thinking about having a go this summer as well have you got any pointers on what too do cheers

[Woodworks]

i was thinking about having a go this summer as well have you got any pointers on what too do cheers

 

Here are my efforts to date http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/general-chat/58378-thinking-having-crack-making-charcoal.html

 

Your welcome to come and have a gander next time I fire the retort up

[openspaceman]

I am branch logging stuff up to turn into charcoal in the summer. The woods I have available are ash, beech, oak, chestnut and sycamore. There is a bit of hazel and thorn but not much so which of our main species would you recommend?

 

Thanks

 

I agree they are all good but beech is the best of that lot for a hard char, I'm never impressed with oak char.

 

Alder and alder buckthorn were prized because they could be finely ground to a known size. Poplar and softwoods are too soft and hornbeam remains dense enough to withstand a blast of air. Greenish sweet chestnut shatters into shards.

[Woodworks]

I agree they are all good but beech is the best of that lot for a hard char, I'm never impressed with oak char.

 

Alder and alder buckthorn were prized because they could be finely ground to a known size. Poplar and softwoods are too soft and hornbeam remains dense enough to withstand a blast of air. Greenish sweet chestnut shatters into shards.

 

Thanks for that.

 

I have more than enough brash to convert so thought I would be choosy hence the question as to what wood is best for charcoal.

[hedgesparrow]

I am branch logging stuff up to turn into charcoal in the summer. The woods I have available are ash, beech, oak, chestnut and sycamore. There is a bit of hazel and thorn but not much so which of our main species would you recommend?

 

Thanks

 

most of the charcoal makers round these parts use hazel as it is the main wood but most wood should work has to be seasond first or it just burns off the moisture so takes longer to make charcoal. seen your retorts most of the lads i saw at last coppicing group said that the retort makes more for less work than a ring re size only need to split larger bits but then you would use that for logs

Edited November 26, 2013 by hedgesparrow