char:charcoal_making

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision		 Previous revision
char:charcoal_making [2025/12/05 09:59] – external edit 127.0.0.1char:charcoal_making [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
-# Charcoal making+This topic is part of [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]] and [[gt:power|Power & heating]]. 
 +====== Charcoal making ======
  
 ![](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charcoal.jpg) ![](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/charcoal.jpg)
Line 9: Line 10:
  
  
-## What is charcoal making?+===== What is charcoal making? =====
  
 Charcoal making involves burning wood whilst controlling the amount of oxygen present. Very little oxygen is allowed in, and the slow burn results in a product (charcoal) that burns at very high temperatures, but produces very little (if any) smoke. Charcoal is one of the oldest commodities in the world. It provided the heat to smelt metals like iron and copper - so without it, the bronze age, iron age and industrial revolution wouldn't have been possible. Nowadays, charcoal is produced in metal kilns, but originally it was made in earth clamps by piling up wood, covering it with turf to control the ingress of oxygen, and burning it slowly. Charcoal making involves burning wood whilst controlling the amount of oxygen present. Very little oxygen is allowed in, and the slow burn results in a product (charcoal) that burns at very high temperatures, but produces very little (if any) smoke. Charcoal is one of the oldest commodities in the world. It provided the heat to smelt metals like iron and copper - so without it, the bronze age, iron age and industrial revolution wouldn't have been possible. Nowadays, charcoal is produced in metal kilns, but originally it was made in earth clamps by piling up wood, covering it with turf to control the ingress of oxygen, and burning it slowly.
Line 19: Line 20:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Starting to stack wood in the kiln, with kindling in the middle. +_Starting to stack wood in the kiln, with kindling in the middle._
 </caption> </caption>
  
Line 34: Line 34:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Three kilns during a burn.+_Three kilns during a burn._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 43: Line 43:
 Charcoal has traditionally been used for [blacksmiths'](/blck/blacksmithing) forges; for drawing; as an ingredient in gunpowder; as a [soil](/soil/soil) additive; for filtration; and for cooking. Nowadays most charcoal is used for barbecues. Charcoal briquettes are made by compressing charcoal made from sawdust etc, along with dust and a binder; lump charcoal is just the raw product from burning hardwoods. Charcoal has traditionally been used for [blacksmiths'](/blck/blacksmithing) forges; for drawing; as an ingredient in gunpowder; as a [soil](/soil/soil) additive; for filtration; and for cooking. Nowadays most charcoal is used for barbecues. Charcoal briquettes are made by compressing charcoal made from sawdust etc, along with dust and a binder; lump charcoal is just the raw product from burning hardwoods.
  
-## What are the benefits of charcoal making?+===== What are the benefits of charcoal making? =====
  
 <WRAP center centeralign> <WRAP center centeralign>
Line 51: Line 51:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Lifting the lid after the burn.+_Lifting the lid after the burn._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 58: Line 58:
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-- Provides a market for poor-quality wood, although there's much more of a market now for firewood, due to the recent increase in the use of [wood stoves](/wstov/wood_stoves)+- Provides a market for poor-quality wood, although there's much more of a market now for firewood, due to the recent increase in the use of [wood stoves](/wdst/wood_stoves)
  
 - Buying locally-produced charcoal reduces the transport involved with imported charcoal, provides local employment and supports the local economy - Buying locally-produced charcoal reduces the transport involved with imported charcoal, provides local employment and supports the local economy
Line 79: Line 79:
  
  
-## What can I do? +===== What can I do? ===== 
-### Getting started+==== Getting started ====
  
 You can make charcoal for your own use, and there is a small but growing number of people doing it commercially. It would be difficult to make a living from charcoal burning alone, but it could work as one element of a woodland business such as tree surgery, hedgelaying, forestry contracting, timber products, courses, firewood etc. The biggest market is for barbecue charcoal (and there are a few specialist suppliers of artists' charcoal). You can make charcoal for your own use, and there is a small but growing number of people doing it commercially. It would be difficult to make a living from charcoal burning alone, but it could work as one element of a woodland business such as tree surgery, hedgelaying, forestry contracting, timber products, courses, firewood etc. The biggest market is for barbecue charcoal (and there are a few specialist suppliers of artists' charcoal).
Line 90: Line 90:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Freshly-made charcoal.+_Freshly-made charcoal._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 105: Line 105:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Lifting the charcoal out of the kiln with a fork.+_Lifting the charcoal out of the kiln with a fork._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 142: Line 142:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Biscuit tin of twigs for making artists' charcoal: before burn.+_Biscuit tin of twigs for making artists' charcoal: before burn._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 149: Line 149:
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Regulations & other people+==== Regulations & other people ====
  
 Talk to the planning department of your local authority first. You don't need formal planning permission to site your kiln, as it will be temporary, but the local authority won't like it if local residents complain about smoke in their house or garden. The planners probably won't know much about charcoal burning, so you might like to invite them and show them a burn. It pays not to get in their bad books. Talk to the planning department of your local authority first. You don't need formal planning permission to site your kiln, as it will be temporary, but the local authority won't like it if local residents complain about smoke in their house or garden. The planners probably won't know much about charcoal burning, so you might like to invite them and show them a burn. It pays not to get in their bad books.
Line 161: Line 161:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Biscuit tin of twigs for making artists' charcoal: after burn.+_Biscuit tin of twigs for making artists' charcoal: after burn._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 170: Line 170:
 You need to get insurance before starting charcoal making. If you already have insurance for your business or for your woodland, then you can add charcoal burning to it. You need to get insurance before starting charcoal making. If you already have insurance for your business or for your woodland, then you can add charcoal burning to it.
  
-### Managing the burn+==== Managing the burn ====
  
 There are usually 4 inlet ports and 4 outlet pipes on a kiln. Typically, pipes (or chimneys) are 5" (13cm) diameter. The inlets are at ground level. These are to control the oxygen input, by covering or partially covering the end of the inlet with a house brick or soil. A burn with a 6ft (2m) diameter ring kiln, approx. 1m high could take around 10 hours, depending on the variables above. Ideally, wood should be up to 4-5" (10-13cm) diameter, or up to 3" (8cm) for a small kiln / oil drum. There are usually 4 inlet ports and 4 outlet pipes on a kiln. Typically, pipes (or chimneys) are 5" (13cm) diameter. The inlets are at ground level. These are to control the oxygen input, by covering or partially covering the end of the inlet with a house brick or soil. A burn with a 6ft (2m) diameter ring kiln, approx. 1m high could take around 10 hours, depending on the variables above. Ideally, wood should be up to 4-5" (10-13cm) diameter, or up to 3" (8cm) for a small kiln / oil drum.
Line 180: Line 180:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Bagging the finished charcoal.+_Bagging the finished charcoal._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 195: Line 195:
  
 <caption> <caption>
-Bag of Devon lump barbecue charcoal.+_Bag of Devon lump barbecue charcoal._
  
 </caption> </caption>
Line 206: Line 206:
 [Here's some more detailed information](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/charcoal-burning-the-basics-of-a-burn/) on the burn. [Here's some more detailed information](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/infoarticle/charcoal-burning-the-basics-of-a-burn/) on the burn.
  
-### Buying charcoal+==== Buying charcoal ====
  
 If you want a more sustainable product, look for lump charcoal, which is made from wood only. Briquettes can contain anything from limestone and borax to sodium nitrate and lighter fluid. If you want a more sustainable product, look for lump charcoal, which is made from wood only. Briquettes can contain anything from limestone and borax to sodium nitrate and lighter fluid.
  
  
 +===== Forum =====
 +
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/gardening).
 +
 +It is also in the section [[gt:power|Power & heating]] (Forum: [Power & heating](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/power)).
 +
 +===== Further resources =====
 +
 +- [Basics of a burn](https://www.lowimpact.org/categories/land/charcoal-making/further-info/charcoal-burning-the-basics-of-a-burn/)
 +- [Coppice Products](https://www.coppice-products.co.uk/product-type/charcoal-bio-char/) - listing of local UK charcoal producers
 +- [How to make charcoal at home](https://prepperswill.com/how-to-make-charcoal-at-home/)
 +- [Charcoal production using a transportable metal kiln](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/Charcoal_Production_Using_A_Transportable_Metal_Kiln_1980.pdf)
 +- [Art, science & technology of charcoal production](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/Charcoal_Review-iecr03.pdf)
 +- [The story of charcoal](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/Charcoal-Making.pdf)
 +- [Charcoal burning in Anglo-Saxon England](https://www.regia.org/research/life/charcoal.htm)
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Related topics =====
  
-## Further resources+- [Chainsaws](chsw:chainsaws) 
 +- [Tree/woodland management](wodl:woodland_management) 
 +- [Gasification](gasf:gasification) 
 +- [Blacksmithing & farriery](blck:blacksmithing)
  
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • char/charcoal_making.1764928763.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/05 09:59
  • by 127.0.0.1