char:charcoal_making

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char:charcoal_making [2025/12/17 11:11] – Simon Grantchar:charcoal_making [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# 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)
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-## 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.
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 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? =====
  
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-## 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).
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-### 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.
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 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.
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 [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.
  
  
-## Further resources+===== 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/) - [Basics of a burn](https://www.lowimpact.org/categories/land/charcoal-making/further-info/charcoal-burning-the-basics-of-a-burn/)
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-## Specialist curators of this topic+ 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Chainsaws](chsw:chainsaws) 
 +- [Tree/woodland management](wodl:woodland_management) 
 +- [Gasification](gasf:gasification) 
 +- [Blacksmithing & farriery](blck:blacksmithing) 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • char/charcoal_making.1765969909.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/17 11:11
  • by Simon Grant