Simplest Method For Producing Large Quantities of Charcoal

To the many people out there who will ask: “what do you use the charcoal for?” -I use it mainly to light the various coals and coke that I burn in my forge, a good portion of it goes to my carburizing services, and all the fines and dust left over after classifying go into my gardens. -yes you can use it for cooking. However be cognizant that not all woods will give you a good flavor. Most cooking charcoals are made from fruit and nut woods.

I am very very poor, I have been trying to gather up the materials and tools needed to build a retort. This is very cheap, even I can come up with the money to buy a barrel. I am on the quest to make terra preta in my garden beds and I need a ton of charcoal to do it. I love to grill and charcoal is expensive, this is a huge money saver. Thanks for sharing!

The genuine, friendly nature of these two men, coupled with the concise, practical, and educational information in this video, makes it a 10/10 Thank you most kindly, gentlemen. 🙏🏻

Nice! Clean Charcoal too! The process is called a reduction atmosphere. Or fuel rich and low oxygen but hot enough that the burning wood has to grab oxygen from within it's own molecular bonds thus leaving carbon behind.

What a weird recommendation from YouTube. I watched the whole thing and really enjoyed. I don't think I will ever make charcoal but if the time ever comes I have the knowledge in my bony head. Thank you for the great content.

Hundreds of years ago, there were groups of men who traveled across Europe making charcoal. They were known as the Carbonari / Charcoal makers. The Carbonari were actually a guild and a secret society who brought news from other lands . They were sought by kings, queens, royalty and wealthy people for their information of other lands and countries. When the formula for gunpowder was introduced to Europe , The Carbonari were also named the Nitre men. They manufactured Potassium Nitrate from collected sources of manure and soil. Thanks for your most informative video and all the best in all future endeavors.

I used this method to make barbacoa in the ground years ago, taught to me by my father-in-law, an old farmer/rancher from Mexico. Wrapped the spiced meat and heads in banana leaves then put in a wet burlap bean sack on top of a piece of 11ga. sheet metal placed on the fire. Covered pit with anothe piece of metal and sealed the edges with dirt. The meat came out fantastic the next morning. Sounds like a lot to do but it was fun with a few beers and a buddy. Tacos for weeks.

Smart enough to explain the science in layman’s terms. Two thumbs up!

Excellent! I've watched so many vids that get too technical for less yield than this. I grow willow and want to turn the waste into biochar, and your simplicity is the best. Multiple thumbs up!

This is great! Thanks so much for the information and the presence of you two legends. I’ve recently gotten into cooking over charcoal, and now I’m going to make my own. For some bizarre reason, this has made me a bit emotional. Not at all what I was expecting. You guys rock.

You know how to make a concise, clear info dense video. I've been struggling for years with labor intensive/mediocre results . Your method will work for me ! Thanks

Subscribed, enjoyed the lesson of course but the main reason is because of how polite, friendly, and good natured you all are. Very nice to see in a world that is definitely lacking in the area.

My grandpa used to make charcoal to sell for bbq. This is the same way he did it and now I want to do it too. Thank you for sharing. Take care

Great video guys!! Very well explained demonstrated and easy to follow! I made a batch of this by accident a few years ago in an old metal dustbin with a lid! Was burning a tree u cut down breaking and cutting it up adding to bin, once got too late I just added a bit of water to die the flames down and stuck the lid on it with was pretty tight good fit! Came back next day and had half a bin full of charcoal! Lol 😂🤣 I inadvertently pretty much followed your method without realising it! Anyhow cheers from London England 👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I used to make charcoal almost exactly like you do and I found that the comparison to a retort was about the same also. Great job!

Fascinating, thanks! I knew of the process in theory but now I understand it from a practical standpoint.

Fine teaching. It penitrated. I've worked hard all my life, no complaints. I see we have that in common. Appreciate you man!

Thanks for the video. Looks like something I can give a crack at it. Times are getting really tough here in the Pacific islands, we have to prepare ourselves to be self sustainable when things get much worse. We used to make enough charcoal waay back then before electricity was a common thing, but we've been enjoying modernization and relatively affordable goods, those days are gone now as gas is $6.33 a gallon, pork is at an average of $4.45 per lbs, running AC at home is a luxury now due to the new electric rates. I'm saving this video so I can come back and review again. Greetings from the tiny islands of Palau!

Thank you, gentlemen, I am the type of guy who would go straight to the retort. I have always wanted to make my own charcoal. I am a cook, but your video is also helpful if I ever get back into ceramics. You have a subscriber. Greetings from the state of Maine.

Thank you for this valuable video! I’m sure those living off the grid will make use of your process. You rock!