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Small scale biochar in a can

 
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Posts: 1958
Location: Zone 5
1057
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I just took some pictures of a process I have been using to make small scale, high quality (I think?) biochar from some willow wood shavings:

I think I saw this from David The Good originally. He mentioned he learned it from someone else though—I’ll have to go get the video.

I like that this uses no extra energy than for heating and very little extra effort.
IMG_0065.jpeg
A can
A can
IMG_0067.jpeg
Filled up
Filled up
IMG_0069.jpeg
Covered up
Covered up
IMG_0070.jpeg
Flipped over & fire built over
Flipped over & fire built over
IMG_0072.jpeg
Shavings,
Shavings, still glowing but I subsequently quenched & inoculated
 
M Ljin
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I had previously been getting coals out and quenching them in water, but I didn’t think the quality of biochar was as good—very hard and rigid, which makes me think not so porous. Willow is also a softer wood so that may help.

The biochar makes a very musical, clinky sound which as far as I remember indicates a high quality.

This is the video where I saw something like the technique. I haven’t seen it in a while so maybe it’s a bit different:
 
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