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Is there a market for a small, cheap charcoal retort?


Woodworks
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Got an idea for one that would make 100 litres per burn but with a spare pair of hands could do five burns a day. Can't see pros doing such small quantities but seems to be lots of folk who buy small woodlands and want to try their hand woodland crafts.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Beau

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Possibly. You defined small; how cheap is cheap? :001_smile:

 

Alec

 

Hmm working on that but would guess at £200-£300. Only at the idea stage but know it will make charcoal just working on something very simple so it can be cheap.

 

Richy. Yes I see it as hobby thing but could make some pocket money with it. At 5 burns a day thats 70 kg of charcoal

Edited by Woodworks
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I could be interested as end up with a lot of small diameter willow from the trees I pollard each year (c.40mm) - made a few batches in a tiny retort designed to go on a fire pit but it's flimsy and doesn't make a lot

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Hmm working on that but would guess at £200-£300. Only at the idea stage but know it will make charcoal just working on something very simple so it can be cheap.

 

Richy. Yes I see it as hobby thing but could make some pocket money with it. At 5 burns a day thats 70 kg of charcoal

 

I misread that as 5 burns a week. Is 5 burns a say possible? I have to let my retort cool down for atleast 16 hours after its opening. Much larger but can't see how you could get the kiln/unit to temperature for conversion, then get it cool enough to empty when to go again in only couple of hours.

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Sounds interesting. A removable chamber that you don't need to open could work. Opening a chamber when it's hot is a real risk. If 100 litres of charcoal ignites you won't be getting within a 5 metres of it!

 

Your on the right lines now Rich but would need appropriate number of charge chambers if planing multiple burns.

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