Charcoal is making a comeback as a fuel source.
In an age where concern over energy resources is on the rise and sustainable lifestyles attract greater interest, the use of charcoal is slowly returning to the public consciousness. A dark, permeable carbon solid, charcoal is distilled from organic matter -- most often, wood -- that is heated and burned in an air-tight vessel, known as a kiln. Particularly suited to this task is the retort kiln, which can be made of stone, brick or steel. It can be in-ground or above-ground. Cylindrical in shape, the retort kiln is externally heated and has openings for the escape of tar and gas byproduct. Because its heat is self-sustaining after combustion, the retort kiln requires less attention than other methods of charring. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Fill the chambers of the kiln with wood or other selected organic matter. Pack the trays or buckets that go into the chambers as densely as possible.
2. Close the retort completely. If your kiln is pre-fabricated, follow the instructions for closing it off; if you built your own, make sure all covers are secured and that no outside air can enter the chambers.
3. Build a fire beneath the chambers, utilizing twigs, foliage, roots and bark as kindling. Keep your quality wood pieces for later batches of charcoal.
4. Allow the fire to burn for about three hours. By this time, the gases and tar start emitting from the embers. The gases continue to fuel the conflagration until the transformation to charcoal is complete.
5. Wait for the gases to stop flowing from their outlet. This signals that the fire is done. Leave the kiln shut until the following morning.
6. Open the doors or covers of the retort and remove the containers of charcoal. Disperse the charcoal and let it cool for three more hours.
Tags: retort kiln, organic matter