A new use for the heat from biochar

I was using my TLUD the other day when I realized that some of the wood I wanted to burn was wet.  I also had some rounds that I needed to split.  I usually split them a few days early, but I didn't have time on that day.  I split them a few days before the burn so that the inside of the rounds can dry out too.  

When I put the chimney on, I have a kind of a round shelf.  I can put a few pieces on at a time.  I noticed a couple of years ago that I could dry some of the wood that way.  Most of it didn't need to be dried, but a few pieces did.  

After putting the chimney on, I put the wet pieces on first.  I turned them over, checking to see that each side was quite dry.  Then, I barely lifted the chimney and threw them in.  It worked great.  

It seems to work better if I throw a piece in, let it really get burning, and then throw another in a few minutes later when it has burned down a little bit.  I started with the maul on the rounds.  I placed them near the barrel while burning so they'd dry a little bit.  Then I put them sequentially on the circle shelf.  I checked to make sure they were really dry and after a bit and threw them in.  

It's especially helpful here in the PNWet, because during this time of the year, the days are short, cold, and wet.  Sometimes it works better to burn several weeks of char on the rare dry day, crush them in the large burlap bags, and wait to inoculate them until they are needed.  

I'm not cooking food, but it is an actual use for the heat.

John S
PDX OR

Great use of "waste" heat. I wonder if you could put a ring of logs right around the retort and have it dry the logs as you char?

And you mention food...I've made a beef stew in the dutch oven in my fire pit, and I've made char in my fire pit, but I've never done both at the same time. Maybe I should.

My wife: "What the heck are you doing out there?"
Me: "Making dinner"
Wife: "OK, then...carry on"

My wife: "What the heck are you doing out there?"
Me: "Making dinner"
Wife: "OK, then...carry on"

LOL - now THAT is stacking functions.