Making charcoal?

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
Is there any specific way to burn a fire to make good charcoal? Size of wood being burned, or anything like that? I'll be making a trench forge for a project this fall, and wanted to know.
Thanks.
-Robert
 
What size can your fire be? Do you have access to oil drums? How much space do you have around where your fire will be? I'll dig up some links that got me started in charcoal making.
EDIT- found the links
Here is the best method I have seen on a budget.
http://64.176.180.203/charcoalretort.htm
The method I currently use.
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/makinglump.htm
For making charcoal with the direct method just build a huge bonfire and the spray it with water once its only coals left. I dislike the direct method because its harder and is more likely to fail.
 
my current fire pit is 5' wide, it could be made up to 8 or so.. I don't think I can get an oil drum.
 
... The direct method may not be super great, but my friends and I have so many camp fires back there that I'm bound to wind up with enough. Charcoal is the black stuff, right?

...^joke :D

Thanks for the help
 
I have always made charcoal by enclosing wood in a metal container with a small hole in it and then heating it. This realeases the material in the wood that becomes gaseous easily and leaves the carbon behind along with a few minerals. But I do know that charcoal can be made by starting the wood burning and then arresting the process. The company that makes Jcak Daniels whiskey sets a big pile of wood burning and then sprays it down with a hose. If I ever get to tennesee I would like to see this done.
Thanks,
Del
 
In the old days commercial charcoal making was done that way - burn wood with restricted air. You'll love the smell of creosote and neighbors will hate you . Creosote is not good for your health !!
 
Back in the day, when charcoal was needed for the iron furnaces, they would cut down huge amounts of wood and dig a giant pit. Pile the wood in the pit and start it burning. Then they would cover the top of the fire with earth to restrict the air. Small holes would be left to allow some oxygen in, but it was mostly left to smolder for several days. Once it quit smoking, etc it would be dug back up as charcoal.

I remember this from a tour of the Cacoctin Mountain Iron Furnace when I was a kid. A little googling might lead to some more info.

-d
 
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