Charcoal is a natural biofuel that can be made independently.
Making charcoal in a pit
Do-it-yourself charcoal can be made in a pit. This method has been used for a long time. Thus, coal can be made quite simply. To do this, it will be necessary to prepare a small pit, which should be in the shape of a cylinder, while the walls should remain vertical. Its diameter should be 80 cm, while the depth should be 50 cm. Using this technology, you can get two bags of biofuel.
Features of the manufacture of pits for coal
If you decide to make charcoal with your own hands, then you first need to prepare a pit. After its bottom is carefully compacted, you can use the method of crushing legs for this. This is necessary in order to exclude mixing of the finished product with the soil. After that, you need to make a fire using birch bark and small branches. Gradually, you need to start adding firewood and thin branches to the fire. It is necessary to ensure that everything is covered with burning wood. When the bonfire flares up, you can begin to produce coal. To do this, you will need to prepare firewood.
Requirements for raw materials for the manufacture of coal
Do-it-yourself charcoal will turn out to be high-quality if you throw firewood into the pit that does not have bark. This is due to the fact that she smokes heavily. While coal using such firewood is very poor quality. In order to use fuel more comfortably, the raw materials must first be cut into individual elements.
The dimensions of the blanks can be selected independently, however, the size of one element should not exceed 30 cm. New firewood should be laid on top, and the mass should be moved using a long pole. The bars should be laid in layers as tightly as possible. Thus, the pit should be filled to the top. The duration of burning will also depend on air humidity.
When making charcoal with your own hands, it will be possible to fill a hole of the mentioned size in about 3 hours.
Final work
After the pit is filled, it needs to be covered with grass, as well as leaves. Everything on top is sprinkled with a layer of soil and rammed. Under such conditions, charcoal should remain for two days, after which it can be sieved, and then packaged. As soon as the work is completed, it can be considered ready for use.
Production of charcoal in a barrel
You can use equipment for the production of charcoal by type of capacity. To do this, it will be necessary to prepare a steel thick-walled barrel. Its dimensions should be selected depending on how much coal is supposed to be received.
If the barrel is large, it will take much more time to fill it. If the container has ever been filled with chemistry, such a container cannot be used. If petroleum products were stored in a barrel, it must first be prepared by burning, and then used, but only in pure form.
Barrel Coal Production Options
Pyrolysis of wood will make it possible to obtain coal using one of the technologies, each of which involves the use of barrels. The first method involves a fire inside the container. In this case, the process will not differ from coal production in the pit. The capacity should have a large capacity (about 200 liters) - this is necessary so that the firewood does not clog the fire.
It is also necessary to install bricks in the amount of 6 pieces, it is advisable to use refractory products. Between them and have to make fire. If you use such equipment for the production of charcoal, then you need to submerge the firewood carefully until they cover the bricks. After that, a grate should be installed on the products in order to put the next batch of firewood on it.
The wood should be stacked in rows tight enough. After the barrel is filled to the top, you need to wait until the flame appears on top. After all, you need to cover with a steel sheet and leave a small gap. In order to accelerate this process, in the lower part of the tank you need to make a hole through which air will flow. While the wood is burning, you will need to monitor the color of the smoke. As soon as it gets a bluish tint, the barrel will need to be closed most tightly and left to cool completely. After that, the lid is removed from the tank, and finished coals are removed from the inside.
An alternative option for making coal in a barrel
Pyrolysis of wood can make it possible to obtain coal using a slightly different technology. To do this, it will be necessary to fill the tank to the top with wood. After that, everything should be covered with a non-combustible lid. It is necessary to close a barrel practically tightly. It is necessary to leave an opening for the exit of gases (it should be large), the temperature inside will need to be brought to 350 degrees.
In order to make charcoal possible, the tank must be installed on the platform. Thus, it will be possible to isolate it from the soil. The easiest way to do this is with bricks that need to be laid on a steel sheet. A bonfire should be built between them, which will warm the barrel.
After a certain time, the process of oxidation of firewood will begin, and gas will begin to escape. As soon as the gas outlet stops, the barrel will need to be left at the stake for some time. Thus, burning a 200 liter capacity will take about 2.5 hours. After this, the barrel must be removed from the fire and sealed the holes remaining in the lid. In this condition, the container must be stopped before cooling. Charcoal at home will be ready after the barrel is open. Coal can be used immediately.
Making charcoal using an oven
If you are thinking about how to make charcoal, then you can consider another method that involves the use of a stove. After the wood burns out, it will be necessary to select burnt, but not yet decayed coals. They should be red. They will need to be put in a container with a well-sealed lid. It is preferable to use a ceramic container, but you can use a bucket or a barrel of small dimensions. It is worth remembering that the use of steel tanks should imply compliance with fire safety. The lid must be kept closed until the coal cools completely. Once it becomes cold, it can be considered ready for use.