• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • John F Dean
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • paul wheaton
stewards:
  • Pearl Sutton
  • Leigh Tate
  • Devaka Cooray
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Matt McSpadden
  • Jeremy VanGelder

Making biochar: "dirt" cheap

 
Posts: 3
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hey biochar enthusiasts.  I thought I'd provide a link to Primitive Technology's new video on a "Reusable charcoal mound":  


This method is obviously not ideal for getting a homogenous batch of char.  As you can see, there are a bunch of branches that haven't been chared all the way through.  But, if you're like me and not as concerned with that sort of thing and just looking to build a biochar kiln completely free, then I would say that this is definitely worth a shot

I hope this finds someone, like me, who has been looking for a free earthen-based design for a biochar kiln.
 
pollinator
Posts: 240
36
homeschooling kids cat dog books urban
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Very few direct-burn methods would produce better results. There are always partially-converted pieces when making charcoal… and always more of them than you think there should be.

My only problem with this method is how labor-intensive it is. I understand that it's showing a very primitive technique, and that a lot of refinements can be made to cut the time and effort. For me, permaculture is about providing for my needs in a way that doesn't keep me away from my family all day. The process shown in this video is interesting from an anthropological point of view, but I have zero interest in attempting it.
 
It's feeding time! Give me the food you were going to give to this tiny ad:
GAMCOD 2025: 200 square feet; Zero degrees F or colder; calories cheap and easy
https://permies.com/wiki/270034/GAMCOD-square-feet-degrees-colder
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic