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Enhanced Efficiency Lump Charcoal
We added some roofing tin to the surface of our homemade retort. This will provide an air gap and insulation to hold in the heat from the rocket stove as heat from it is applied to wood to convert to carbon. We used orange fire block foam insulation from a can you can get at Lowes. The test of the retort using green wood was successful and the orange foam held in even though the temps went over 1000F. We made homemade lump charcoal. Triple T Ranch & Sawmill on Choctaw Ridge is homesteading with a sawmill & anvil.
Пікірлер: 109
I've copied your build last weekend and have made two batches!!! This thing works great. I gave you all the credit for the plans! Thank you for sharing this information 🇨🇦🍻🥓
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
Great to hear! Had a comment that I should drill holes in the bottom and keep the lid on top, this should save the lid. Thanks for comments
It is so cool that after it heats enough to generate syngas the process fuels itself!
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
the cycle continues until coal is achieved!
this retort is awesome it can even do green wood . and can tell by the nice sound the charcoal makes that its top notch stuff
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
MrRasZee thanks. I heated a tractor plow with it yesterday on the forge. Big piece that took a five gallon bucket of free charcoal!
Thank you, I enjoyed your charcoal-making video, God Bless.
Good job sir
Now that's a man, lifting that full barrel of wood chunks! 👍
greatings from cuba. Good video.
Very cool. I like the modification that you made with the tin. I go through a lot of charcoal so I guess I need to look for some barrels.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
I had a comment to use sand which is a good idea
Really really interesting sir , ty 👍🏴
I just made some great charcoal..I used a dryer drum " and a five gallon varnish bucket...I cut the top out. Used very little wood to burn...took about 3 hours...going to make more tomorrow..I used downed oak that was down for 6 months...fairly dry
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
7 ай бұрын
That is awesome! Make a video like to see it
@gregmccarter2176
6 ай бұрын
@KimTraylor I'm making some now from green oak, 3" or so diamtor..and its takeing quite a bit of wood to char..sounds like a bomb..😂😂I don't know how long I'm going to let it go..my first attempt, the wood was like 1/4 done..so I believe if I let it go for the rest of tonight, it might be good..I hope
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
6 ай бұрын
@@gregmccarter2176 sounds good! If you can see the pyrolysis die off and then go for another 30 minutes, you should achieve 100% yield. The oak will be plenty wet so you have to burn longer
@gregmccarter2176
6 ай бұрын
@KimTraylor up date I just inspected my charco and it is perfect..apparently 2 inches across, and 6 long..it came out in small logs..fixin to put on another batch..I'm gonna do it like you said..its actually fun and very rewarding to do...thanks for your videos
Awesome brother thanks I’m making charcoal for a gasifier that can power a generator just a tip for yah try adding the wood around the inside of the barrel instead of the outside that way u get a cleaner burn all the way down the inner barrel returns some really nice carbon
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
yes sir I have started doing that too. let me know if you power your generator, that would be interesting.
You could use a ceramic 1" wool blanket for insulation around the retort. Set you aback a few dollars but would last a long time.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment. Sounds like what i will do when this one rusts out. Regards
Nice build. Use rockwool insulation
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 ай бұрын
Will do on next gen!
Great vid thanks. You will get a lot of biochar enthusiasts coming over to have a look. We just built a mini retort for a client using rocket stove tech. My advice is to insulate everything. It will cost around $800 but it will last forever with proper maintenance. It will also speed up pyrolysis. Rockwool is amazing. Just use a respirator mask when cutting it up😀
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Wow just saw this comment. My next generation retort will be better incorporating comments such as yours. I checked out your 360 degree retort, very good!
@vuthisa
2 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill Thanks! I have sent you an invitation to connect on LinkedIn - have some more KZread vid links that I think you may find interesting.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Yes built a very professional retort! Like it like it!
Thanks for the videos.
Love this video, very informative.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
I'm going to try that foam.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Mark it could not handle the 1000F!
Pack between the barrels with wood. When it burns the temp inside the inner barrel who get hot enough for a full burn.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
Yes I have put some 1 bys in between and it helps, thanks for watching
Wow ,bonito video
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
gracias amiga
Green wood works but dry seasoned works so much better.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
I agree, shorter time to pyrolysis. Thanks for watching
I am surprised you do not pack a bunch of surrounding kindling in the gap between the 2 barrels. That would kick off the initial steam by products early. then the rocket bin serves as the flame holder for the syngas cooking the wood into charcoal.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
5 ай бұрын
1369, if I didn’t do it then I definitely do it now!
Above 650 degC, the wood will undergo gasification yielding less than 10% charcoal. If you want maximum charcoal, slow pyrolysis process is the best where temperature won’t go beyond 450 degC.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
Kashyab sounds like we need to automate air intake with barrel temperature as process variable . I also could use only green wood and slow it down some
@kashyabguruvar5065
3 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill yea sure. An small air blower can do the work. Yet it’s hard to standardise the flow and time values as we vary the input wood quality. It’s a long time discussion on controlling the temperature for small scale char makers. You may see the Carbon gold channel were they control the temperature to maintain a slow pyrolysis throughout using a thermocouple and a blower. They modified their system many many times and now they got successful and automated the process. +91 9037 433 717
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
@@kashyabguruvar5065 thanks i will check them out. The variability of species could be generalized. We have lots of elm (it tries to kill me on my sawmill) so I would think a setting for green elm, one for green pine ... may have to build it! More pressing is I have to replace the inner barrel. Gonna use viewer feedback to make it better this time. I love to make charcoal and then forge something. Made a simple dutch oven hanger last week out of scraps. It was created at the cost of a small quantity of wax. Lots of fun! Thanks for watching
@kashyabguruvar5065
3 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill 👍🏻👍🏻
why did you just put holes in the bottom of barrel and and keep the lid in one piece save you tipping it upside down just a tought fantastic retort
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
That might work. Next time I make some charcoal I will consider that. It might save the lid. Thanks for the comments.
This looks like a great system. Why not let the wood dry before gasifying it? You're wasting an enormous amount of energy driving the water out of that green wood.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Steelman I totally agree. I have some seasoned wood now. However, i have yet to use dry wood inside and outside the barrel. You have to look at like I still make coal it just takes a little more care.
Is charcoal the traditional gift for the 33rd anniversary? I know wood is for number 5. Just kidding. Congrats. Cool video
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
Yes! Thank you! We will see if camera girl will accept homegrown coal in January
I am all about it brother. Check out j-tube rocket stoves, your design seems simular
You should have done a weigh in, before and after "cooking" that freshly cut stuff. Would have been interesting to see how much was cooked off
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
G yes but I didn't think about it until the reveal. I will do it the next time I make a video with the retort - I would like to know what leaves and the weight of the coal less the container.
You know what You are doing
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Instead of jacket, maybe get another larger drum and cut off both ends. Then drop it over the outer drum and fill the gap with sand. Much better in keeping the heat in than foam.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
That would be ideal but dont know where to find a bigger diameter barrel. May try the cone method next!
@vuthisa
3 жыл бұрын
Yes these biochar burners are called 55/30 retorts. Look up Dr Hugh Mclaughlin. He has a great 55/30 design out there on the interwebs.
33 years, I've known you 3 minutes and I already don't like you, lol. Give that woman 10lbs of chocolate.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Lol tomorrow is Valentines Day!
Curious how old water heaters would work as a jacket or inner sleeves? They vary from 22-28’ in diameter. If not inner sleeves then possibly take 4 cut them in quarters then to height then reattach around your barrel. One could most likely get them for free from the landfill or junkyard.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
I think water heaters would be better since they are thicker. But i have a pile of tin so that’s what I used. Thanks for watching. I use the charcoal very frequently.
I am surprised that elm trees are still alive where you are located. Here in Pa. the elm blight got them all. Where are you located fella ??
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Victory we live in north east texas and elms are like weeds here!
@victoryfirst2878
2 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill Well you are lucky. I always liked the shape of the elm trees. Enjoy the Texas weather fella. Like your videos
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
@@victoryfirst2878 Thank you for watching. The winters are good but summers are hell!
Why was there no tar as a byproduct of the process?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
9 ай бұрын
Yes tar is produced but falls down into the fire and combusts!!! Thanks for watching
I'm pretty sure you can make charcoal out of saw dust. I'd think you'd have a lot of that, running a saw-mill.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
Darth I use the sawdust for a lot of projects!
What is the advantage of the off set? Why not just shove wood in the void the two barrels? Thanks for posting.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
I hope to have bees one day! The exterior firebox allows easy replenishment of firewood. Without it, would have to open hot top to refuel when necessary
@s.fla.beekeepingmangoesand1517
Жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill Bees are easy. Get started next spring. Thanks for the reply. I just picked up a 10 gallon trash can and lid. I plan to attempt a small batch in a fire pit for the first time.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
@@s.fla.beekeepingmangoesand1517 yea my first batches were successful using the danish cookie tins with a small hole and at the campfire. Put the hole where u can see the pyrolysis action. Only takes an hour or less and the tin becomes fragile so figure out how to remove it beforehand
Nice saw what could go wrong?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
LOL, no blood yet!
Thanks for the vid. I just don't trrust the charcoal you get at the store for cooking.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
Great point me neither, plus its good to take what you have and make it work!
Looks like oxygen is getting into your charcoal drum. That’s causing your wood in it to burn instead of cook. Looking at your drum, there are too many holes and they are too big. That allows oxygen to easily enter. Especially at the end, when the fire has died down
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
Very good feedback. I have used the appliance so much the inner barrel is wore out. I have another barrel to modify. One suggestion I will implement is drill holes in the bottom of barrel instead of lid. I will take your suggestion and drastically reduce the holes! Thanks for watching
@pamtnman1515
3 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill there’s a YT video by the bbq pit boys that shows a 30 gallon inner drum successfully cooking its wood into charcoal with a bunch of small holes all around the upper edge. My sense is their setup works because those holes are so small
Hi, is there any difference with quantity of fuel used , as in do you use less with the rocket than if it was just a fire surrounding the inner canister ?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
Dark, not sure, but the rocket stove allows for easy refueling. I always start cold with sticks around the inner barrel.
@darkorkodi3582
2 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill Thanks, seems an easier way to fuel it i must admit, i do like the design
Can’t find those smaller barrels anywhere!
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
it was a grease barrel if that helps. Also one guy said something about using a 40 gal water heater tank.
@wisconsinfarmer4742
3 жыл бұрын
Talk to a plumber, old pressure tanks might size in for you.
How many hours fire the tin?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
Жыл бұрын
Not sure of the question. It takes about 4 hours to make coal. More like 2.5 hours if using all dried wood both in the retort and fire box. If you are asking how the outer tin is performing, it is still there and in good shape.
@tamilfarming
Жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill tq
@tamilfarming
Жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill i am asking coal making hours... .. it is four hours...
Why didn't you stack wood to fire up within your retort?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
I stick small wood in between now. But I dont usually open the barrel once the fire starts.
@robertdeboer2053
3 жыл бұрын
@@TripleTRanchAndSawmill Sounds right.
How to make that air blower. Thank you
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
If you are asking about the forge blower then here is a short narrative on the blower: kzread.info/dash/bejne/n2emw7akZNbKoZM.html
Is that green pine?
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
3 жыл бұрын
Roldy I use elm or hardwoods in the inner barrel and pine or whatever is handy in the rocket stove.
Charlie & I want a steak over those coals 😉
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
4 жыл бұрын
Jimmy Roy Jackie said come to see us!
No you put up with her for 33 years.
@TripleTRanchAndSawmill
2 жыл бұрын
LOL Thanks for watching!
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