15 replies to this topic

[The Pyromaniac]

First wood shavings are heated in a metal box with a hole on top to form charcoal. But if we keep heating it, will it still remain alright or will it be spoiled?? So I want to know that how will we know that charcoal is made & this is the correct time to remove the box from flame.

[sizzle]

The simple rule to follow is when smoke stops coming out of the hole in your box, the charcoal is ready to be removed from the fire. But, remember to leave the container around 6 hours before opening the lid.

[The Pyromaniac]

Thanks sizzle

[Pretty green flames]

But, remember to leave the container around 6 hours before opening the lid.

Why? I open it after about 20minutes after cooking, doesn't turn to ash or anything.

[newtoolsmith]

Fresh charcoal is very reactive. If its too hot when the lid is removed the fresh air might ignite it.

The reactivity is decreased by time also.

So if you open the box too early, the charcoal might be still hot and starts burning.


MfG
newtoolsmith

[The Pyromaniac]

Why? I open it after about 20minutes after cooking, doesn't turn to ash or anything.

he meant that we should prefer to open it after approximately 6 hrs as it is hot.
If u want u can even open it immidiately but ur hands will burn.
I actually prefer to open it after 1 hour.

[The Pyromaniac]

oh thanks new toolsmith I didnt know that

[NUKE]

Hi, i also make my own charcoal by taking some pine cones and burn them in a can.But i have 2 questions.

1)Sometimes, the pine become quite white, i think tha they have been burnt.Is this a big problem???
2)If my charcoal isn't the best, in the ratio 75:15:10 should i add some grams more of it???

Thanks...

[Mumbles]

Wow, I have to wonder if you've read anything about making charcoal sometimes.

Yes, if it's white it's bad. If you don't have good charcoal, I wouldn't even bother making BP from it. It will be a waste of other chems.

You have to heat the material in an enclosed container with a small hole. Tossing stuff into a can and burning them won't do shit. Also, don't use pine cones. They lack much of the cellulose material that the wood contains. It is protein rich, which isn't what you want. Get the actual wood from the trees. Since you're using pine cones, I can only assume you're stealing them off someone else's tree.

[NUKE]

Wow, I have to wonder of how sarcastic a person can be.

Yes i have read and i do almost what you say but i just have a little white.Just a little...

And something more.I heard that vine is better than pine.Is this real???

And i cannot understand this ''Since you're using pine cones, I can only assume you're stealing them off someone else's tree''.What do you mean...

[Asteroid]

Vine isn't better than pine because it has more green and less brown, basically, it's got too much sap etc and not enough carbon (cellulose)
By stealing pine cones he means that if you had your own tree, you would be using the actual wood and not the cones.
The little bit of white means you're either opening the tin while it's still hot, your hole is too big, or you're leaving the hole open after the volatiles have escaped

[NUKE]

Ok, thanks a lot...

But i think that it easier to cut a cone that cutting other part of the tree.Simple...And i dont think that we have problem going to a forest and cut some...

[fishy1]

Ok, thanks a lot...

But i think that it easier to cut a cone that cutting other part of the tree.Simple...And i dont think that we have problem going to a forest and cut some...

It's pretty easy to snap off branches about the size of your wrist and below, and these are ideal for charcoal making.

[SwissTony]

Just wondering, I have a load of dried willow (used for making cricket bats) is this still likely to smoke as the moisture is gone from it?

[YT2095]

willow and rose are great, most woody plants that produce fruit or flowers will be good, these plants require plenty of Potash to do their job, once this is reduced of all organic and volatile material it will contain significant levels of potassium salts (hydroxides and carbonates).
now I don`t know if anyone`s ever tried using pure carbon and compared to Natural charcoal but it seems that the Carbonate impurities actually Aid the reaction, pure carbon is quite inferior in this regard.

I have no idea Why this is the case either? but experimental data shows it to be correct.
in fact the addition of a little K2CO3 to pure carbon improves it also.

Edited by YT2095, 25 June 2007 - 12:44 PM.