Primitive Technology patreon

3 Methods of Making Charcoal

🕑 Added 2023-04-06 22:16:57 +0000 UTC

Comments

Primitive Technology

Yes but it's not in the current area. But I also did a video on Polynesian arrow root starch https://youtu.be/lMZY_9QNe4I which is in the current area and would be the same material. The briquets might be a possibility especially when larger lumps are needed in a natural draft furnace. On the other hand I've heard people recommend against briquets for smelting or forging, lump charcoal is generally preferred. If using the arrow root I'd mash the bulbs and mix it with the char as is, no need to get the poison out if it's going in the furnace. I'll research it. Thanks.

Kenneth Crips

Do you have cassava growing wild in your area? I was looking up how to make charcoal briquettes and you need water and a starch binder to hold them together. Cassava flour works very well as a binder. The advantage of a briquette is you can grind up small pieces of charcoal that normally you would not have much use for into consistent sized lumps of charcoal with a even BTU output like the briquettes for a charcoal grill. With a local source of a vegetable binder this would be well with in the scope of your late neolithic early metal working theme.

Primitive Technology

Only twice. A few weeks ago getting wood for charcoal right hand stung. And last year, firring a batch of bricks right foot stung.

Lucas Costa

Wow! How many times has this happen?!

Primitive Technology

The last time I was stung one was hiding under bark of dead timber I was collecting for charcoal. Really hard to see too because they have camouflage to hide in wood. Luckily they aren't deadly. Thanks.

Lucas Costa

You prob have to check everywhere before you put your hands on the woods, right? I mean, those scorpions would love to lurk there.... Stay safe! Thanks for the video!

Kenneth Crips

There is a flourishing traditional charcoal making industry in Slovenian. The main wood used is Beech. I have used this charcoal in BBQ grills it is really good stuff. They build the traditional European earthen charcoal mounds.

Primitive Technology

It seems that the lid of the kiln is open for the first part of the firring so that it behaves as an updraft kiln, lit from the bottom not the top. Then the lid is sealed and it behaves as a downdraft kiln with the draft being drawn out the chimneys. The process is explained here better: https://bushcraftuk.com/charcoal-making/ . He says he needs to shift the chimneys around during the firring to ensure a good batch.

Amy Tobol

Interesting. So they had the fire drafting down and out the vent/chimneys, rather than in the vents and up out the top. I wonder if that's why they got such a complete yield.

Primitive Technology

That's pretty good quality charcoal, thanks for the link.

Kenneth Crips

https://youtu.be/zOz7Gj9aA6U

Kenneth Crips

I found the episode on YouTube.

Kenneth Crips

You can see the reason for it in this show. These chimneys were tall enough to cause the draft to draw the fire down through the wood and out. Once they had the draft going strong they sealed them off at the base with handfuls of grass and mud.

Primitive Technology

I'll have to research it. I've seen something like what you've described before but don't know the reasoning behind the design. Thanks.

Kenneth Crips

Just watched an episode of the BBC series Grand Tour of Scotland; Loche series. In series 1, episode 1. Legends of The West. they were making charcoal. They were using a old iron retort to do the job. But they had a technique you could try. At the base were you place the draft holes they placed chimneys instead, the cover for the retort has no opening so they had these chimneys spaced around the base. They stayed open until they were smoking freely than they sealed them. They had a complete charcoal yield.

Primitive Technology

True, they eat the cockroaches in the hut, thus serving a purpose.

Amy Tobol

How did you make the sieve?

Amy Tobol

I meant allies, rather than pets. Definitely avoid the pointy bits!

Primitive Technology

Thanks Steve, more to come. Much appreciated.

Steve Maynard

As always thoroughly engrossing. Thanks John

Primitive Technology

Thanks Ken, much appreciated.

Ken Clark

Thanks for the video, it was interesting. Now to see what you make with all that charcoal! Can't wait.

Primitive Technology

Exotic pets maybe, they're alright if you keep away from the sharp end.

Primitive Technology

Next video normal speed fire making.

Amy Tobol

Hey man, don't be cheap with the firemaking footage now. Centipedes and scorpions are bros, and will eat your pests for you. The centipede might run off the scorpions, though