Newbie Forester

Fantastic - Thanks for the info.

Great to hear! Not just cheaper but much better for the environment and air quality. The local kiln drier to me gets 40% efficiency so he burns 40 t wood for every 100t of firewood logs.....not sure how that is better for air quality. I think it only works for him due to RHI. Do you process at the end of winter/spring and dry over 1 season before selling? Do you have any issues with condensation? Any tips for purchase/operation? Thanks!

Did you do this? How has it worked - are you getting moisture below 20% consistently? Bearing in mind recent legislation proposals I'm wondering if this is the way to achieve 20% without loosing loads of wood to a kiln or having the cost of a kiln!

Hi all, not sure if using the old thread is wise but I'm going to go for it! Having done the sums a few times and read from many people that charcoal isn't a great business, I'm thinking of making a retort....is this crazy? Plan is to use an old self bunded oil tank with most of the base cut away. Then have a smaller single skin oil tank with screw bolt door internal to this that houses the wood. Have 2 x chimneys at either end of the internal tank. Each chimney has a butterfly valve with return ducting that can be used once VOCs produced. All to be constructed on block work to get height for work and to allow 2 x fires to be lit underneath until closing of butterfly valves. I'm worried that the steel might warp heavily but its heavy gauge as far as I can tell. I figure I can add/remove wood from the fire to control temperature and then use the butterfly valve for the same once VOCs. I'm wondering if I need to line fire chamber with kiln bricks, thoughts? I'm also a little concerned about pressure build up and volatile gases...but think the butterfly valve can just be a little looser to allow self release? Am I being crazy? I'm guessing this will cost about £1,000 and will make about 1000L of wood space = 250 L charcoal more or less. Anyone got any thoughts? Also at the numbers above I'm happy to replace this every 3 years or so of required. If anything this will allow for new ideas and versions! Cheers Dave

I'd ask what are you trying to achieve as a return? Also what are you willing to invest - both money and time? Are you willing to share the wood with the public or like minded individuals? I'd answer these type.of questions then look for an idea. I also think that location is important if you're near a major tourist area (e.g. coast or national park) or large population then these would influence my thinking. I have friends who've been working in London for a long time and often indicate they'd love to rent a woodland space to chill out with the family. They could do some smaller works but leave chainsaw to you. The other factors in my mind are transport links and parking (are they any good) as highways are f'ing useless at new things in rural areas. Also neighbours, if you have them nearby make sure they are on board. Mine moved to countryside to see nothing change and fight everything tooth and nail if it hasn't been happening since the middle ages! Anyway there is lots more to think about but answering these questions might put your mind on a realistic path!

We're the same with this and have decided not to let the wildlife trust in as a consequence. If the wildlife is there it's because of or not impacted by the way the woods are used and so will remain, however we may be negatively I.oacted on how we use it

Hi all, thank you so much for your input. I'm going to check out the presvess and the Exeter in action and then make a decision! All the best Dave

Ha ha we're almost neighbours I'm in newchurch!

Excellent - hobnobs are everyone's friend! I'm in east Staffordshire so would be a couple.of hours but well worth it I think.

That's interesting to hear, thank you. I'm hoping it won't be enough as I'm making that much. I love just in the national forest and theres a lot of 25 and under woodland that needs 1st thinning so I was hoping to target this as well.

I've been reading that thread all day - awesome and inspiring. I'm starting a mini journey like his with a 30 acre ancient woodland with over stood hazel (but no conifer really)!

That ties in with what my understanding is between the 2 both great but totally different. Fingers crossed some of the members can provide a defining reason. Must admit I'm leaning to ths Exeter except as live in midlands pressvess is much closer and therefore could be better for aftercare

I think I'm sold on a retort for efficiency and ease of use. Also I've already lost enough hair this would make me into the full bald bomber!

Great to hear!

I think I'm too cautious to go for this...maybe once I've got a good handle on the process and the business is booming (in my dreams not my business case!) I also wanted mobile if possible Thanks Dave