John Suavecito

William,
These are great ideas for using the heat.
JohN S
PDX OR

Many, many people add biochar to their compost. I think it's mostly done as a way of charging the biochar, so it will be ready to contribute to the soil, instead of sucking in all of the nutrients for a couple of years.

John S
PDX OR

The link on that one doesn't seem to work.  Try this one.  Scroll down to the picture:

https://farmland.org/growing-with-biochar

JohN S
PDX OR

This is from Kelpie Wilson's blog about biochar:
John S
PDX OR
Mon, Jul 13 at 3:21 PM

Growing with Biochar - free full-day workshop on biochar applications

Dear Biochar Friend,

Don't miss this if you can make it to Corvallis, Oregon (August 11) or Richland, Washington (August 13).

I will be attending the Corvallis workshop and I hope to see you there!

The American Biochar Institute is hosting Growing with Biochar, a free, full-day training session on biochar use in agriculture, with Tera Lewandowski, the ABI Director of Agricultural Markets. Tera leads efforts to accelerate the adoption of biochar across diverse agricultural applications. This includes promoting its use as a soil amendment, integrating it into enhanced fertilizers and biologicals, and advancing its role as a key ingredient in horticultural substrates.

Two sessions are planned in August, the first on August 11th in Corvallis at the Oregon State University Alumni Center, and the second on August 13th at Washington State University Tri-Cities campus in Richland, Washington.

Growing with Biochar is a national program designed to equip agricultural professionals, conservation leaders, and community partners with practical, science‑based knowledge about biochar. Through expert-led presentations and regionally tailored discussions, the initiative explores biochar’s role in improving soil health, supporting regenerative agriculture, and strengthening local supply chains. Each training is customized to the region's needs, ensuring relevance to local crops, soils, and stakeholders. If you would like to sign up to attend these events, please find the links below. Space is limited so sign up now!

​Growing with Biochar: A Training Event for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest • RSVPify​

​Growing with Biochar: A Training Event for Washington and Pacific Northwest • RSVPify​
​
​



600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Built with Kit

My 55 gallon barrel has a shelf on it, around the chimney.  It's really hot, as you can imagine.   I use the shelf as a place to put wood just before it goes into the barrel. It dries out the wood nearly perfectly before it goes in, and that makes the burn more efficient.  Sometimes it gets char marks on it or even occasionally starts burning.  That's how I use the heat that would be lost.

JohN S
PDX OR

Well, the spraying seems to have made a difference. Before, I had zero mushrooms this year. Afterwards, this showed up:
It's just a few logs for my personal use, but it made a big difference!

John S
PDX OR

It's speculative, but it makes sense in a way.  Kelpie Wilson has touted biochar as a means of preventing future forest fires.  The idea is that it absorbs 6 times it's volume in water, so the forest wouldn't burn as likely with all that water in it. One step away is cooling from evaporation.
JohnS
PDX OR

Good idea! Only use cheap beer for the slugs.  They prefer it anyway. Save the good stuff for you and your friends.