How to char boards

I need chared boards to protect my existing fence. I already have a stack salvaged from the basement and I’ll be buying cheap 1x6’s.

Searches so far suggest propane torch. Is this the best / most practical permies method? Thanks

The traditional Japanese way to char siding boards is to tie them together into a triangular chimney and set a fire in the bottom. Here Mr. Chickadee does that, though he still uses a propane torch.

Thanks Jeremy - I have also been down that youtube rabbit hole! My first concern is I’m in an urban setting with neighbours on three sides. Secondly, we have a severe drought here, no significant rain since June 21st, so everything outside is bone dry, the grass brown and the dirt gone to dust. I do like the idea though and it’s how it was traditionally done, using a small fire in a pit.

Edward Norton wrote:Thanks Jeremy - I have also been down that youtube rabbit hole! My first concern is I’m in an urban setting with neighbours on three sides. Secondly, we have a severe drought here, no significant rain since June 21st, so everything outside is bone dry, the grass brown and the dirt gone to dust. I do like the idea though and it’s how it was traditionally done, using a small fire in a pit.

I'd wait until the rains come back before doing a burn. Here in the PNW, we have burn bans during the hot & dry parts of the year in order to reduce the risk of wildfires. On the flip side, if you do manage to start a wildfire, you will no longer need to worry about being in an urban setting with neighbors!

Also being in the PNW, I'm with Jennifer on this one. My neighbor - during the wet part of the year - uses a fire to char the bottom of posts he's putting in the ground.

Using propane to do this always seemed to be wasteful of a limited resource to me, so I was hoping people would come up with a better alternative.

There's got to be some way of using a rocket stove to do this??? Where are our rocket scientists when we need them?