Primitive Technology: Making Charcoal (3 Different Methods)

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Primitive Technology: Making Charcoal (3 Different Methods)

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About This Video:
With more iron smelting experiments coming up, I demonstrate 3 different methods to make charcoal, ranked easiest to hardest.

The first method was in a simple clay lined pit where a pile of wood was neatly stacked over and lit from the top down. The pile then completely carbonizes without turning to ash. When the sticks at the bottom burn the coals fall into the pit and are extinguished with water. This method is the easiest and takes the least time. But the charcoal is wet and smaller pieces are made as it tends to over burn before extinguishing.

The second method is the mound which involves making a conical pile of wood and coating it in mud leaving openings around the base and one n the top. Again the pile is lit from the top and the fire burns back down against the draft carbonizing the pile. The fire is then snuffed out by closing the openings. This method produces better quality charcoal of larger lumps with less fines. But it takes more time and labor to make as the mound is demolished each time a batch is used.

The final method was the charcoal kiln. This was a cylindrical furnace with holes in the base that was filled with wood and only the top was covered with mud. It works the same way as the mound method but instead of coating the whole mound with mud each time, only the top was covered. This makes good quality charcoal with less labor once the kiln has been built.

About Primitive Technology:
Primitive technology is a hobby where you build things in the wild completely from scratch using no modern tools or materials. These are the strict rules: If you want a fire, use a fire stick - An axe, pick up a stone and shape it - A hut, build one from trees, mud, rocks etc. The challenge is seeing how far you can go without utilizing modern technology. I do not live in the wild, but enjoy building shelter, tools, and more, only utilizing natural materials. To find specific videos, visit my playlist tab for building videos focused on pyrotechnology, shelter, weapons, food & agriculture, tools & machines, and weaving & fiber.

#PrimitiveTechnology #MakingCharcoal #Charcoal
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I need more charcoal for smelting and metallurgy. These are the 3 methods I've used so far. The pit is the quickest and easiest to set up. But the mound and kiln produce better quality and larger pieces. All charcoal from these methods will work in smelting and forging but the 2 later methods make better fuel. The advantage of the kiln over the mound is that it's re-useable and takes less effort to set up per batch than the mound does (less exposed wood to cover with mud). Also, I've started sieving the charcoal so all pieces used are over about 2.5 cm/1 inch. The larger lumps work better in furnaces because there are larger gaps between them that allow air to pass more easily through the fuel bed. This especially important in natural draft furnaces for smelting.

primitivetechnology
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Thinking about it, this is probably one of the purest YouTube channels I know. You simply record yourself doing an interesting thing you love doing, edit the clips together, and upload it. No ad reads, no sponsors, no clickbait. Not even any commentary, unless you turn on the captions. Just fascinating primitive technology and the beautiful sounds of nature. 10/10, wonderful work, keep it up!

Rippertear
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One of the last vestiges of old youtube: just a guy doing things and sharing their experience with the world. Love all your videos, hope you keep doing these for many years to come!

someguardsman
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I've been watching your videos for years, this is some of the most interesting and wonderfully made content I've seen thank you for all the time and effort you put into these

jajay
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This man deserves an honorary doctorate in history with the skills and methods he's researched, resurrected, and demonstrated.

natetallman
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Truly one of the last bastions of old Youtube, never change my man. Apologies i couldn't give more.

jamesadams
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I watch every one of these with my kids. One of my favorite traditions.

MitchelHumpherys
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I love the fact that this guy never started making none of that "boom pow" commentary, titles, or thumbnais. Just kept his videos consistent all the way. Fame hasn't made him weak, it has only strengthen him. Good work. God Bless. 👍
(Long time fan since like 2015-2017)

johnnywoodstock
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Thank you once more John, for still uploading and experimenting things after all these years.

jeremieherard
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I know there's a lot to be impressed by while watching these vids. But today I was just admiring how good you are at making mud. Every video, the mud is on point

joeycarlisle
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Dude, never time lapse again! I will never get tired of seeing you make a fire. We love to see every slow, careful minute of the effort you put into these primitive technologies. It's one of the main things that draws me here every time.

Abelhawk
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"Now it lives in the roof with the scorpions."
What a lovely, wholesome and also frightening sentence!

Tyranis
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I absolutely love that despite proving a thousand times you can light a fire with the stick spinning technique, you still do it every time. 100% commitment, no shortcuts. Except maybe the pants but Youtube wouldn't like you to take them off I guess

ChaosPootato
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"Now it lives in the roof with the scorpions"

Well that's not terrifying at all

BlueLamarFrance
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Never gets old. Not a single one. Love it.

scottyplug
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I have never been sucked into knowledge like I have with this silent man. Will I be making my own charcoal? No. But, I am certainly interested in the process and all that he shares with his videos. Thank you!

yojeffschott
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I like these videos, cause they give me a false sense of self confidence that I would not expire almost immediately if I was left in the wild.

Also they're chill as hell

DrFoggyPants
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"Now [the centipede] lives in the roof with the scorpions"

I love these videos, and they do showhow life without all of our modern amenities would be more than bearable.
However, quotes like the one above are good reminders of why I'm not personally roughing it and developing primitive technology in the woods of Australia.
Thank you.

vanderkarl
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Thank you so much for the amazing content you have been providing us with for all these years. By far my favourite channel! I wish you all the best and sincerely hope to see your work for many years to come!

ubantuchallas
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É muito difícil ver todos os vídeos deste canal e aguentar o desejo de simplesmente deixar tudo pra trás e ir viver na floresta

Mas ainda estou aguentando firme.

ruicarlos