Simplest Method For Producing Large Quantities of Charcoal

-Allot 5-7 hours of time for the gathering, processing, and burning of the charcoal, and let it sit overnight to make sure it has been properly starved of oxygen and cooled enough to handle, classify, and store.
-Wrist size is the absolute maximum size you can run in the drum, and you have to follow the directions exactly to the letter for that to carburize correctly. 2” (50mm) is the most common size I like to throw in mine for good results in both burning and classify-ing later.
-You can burn all hard wood, all soft wood, or hard and softwoods at the same time, although you will have slightly more loss from the softwood in a mixed batch.
-It does not have to be sticks! You can use pallet wood or scrap lumber, so long as it’s dimensions do not exceed 2.5” (65mm) in thickness. If you choose to burn pallet wood, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES cut up or burn pallets that are red or blue, these are treated with chemicals that will result in nothing but a bad day for you. ONLY USE PALLETS MARKED “HT” or “heat treated”

[veteranironoutdoors]

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.
-yes you can use it as the charcoal in your water purifying contraption. Use the fines or break it up to increase the surface area.

[ConorFenlon]

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. 🙏🏻

[chickasawmike]

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!

[intractablemaskvpmGy]

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.

[jisharagu]

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.

[erinikeuchi]

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

[grovedas]

This magnificent video proves that you cannot judge people just by looking at them outwardly. One might initially judge these men to be rubes or hillbillies, yet they are wonderfully intelligent, articulate, clear, and knowledgeable. Not only that, but they are so cheery, and courteous. Let this be a lesson for all humanity.

[bretthaslam]

I haven't seen it done this way. This is way easier than the other ways I've seen. This only takes a little more observing during the process. I will start my charcoal bin this way. Thanks fellas. From Australia🇭🇲!

[leelovellette]

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.

[niallwildwoode]

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!

[rtchow]

i came upon this video on making charcoal from discarded almond branches from nearby orchard. great video showing how to start and adding to build the fire. that's where i need to know. i have a 55 gal steel drum. good tip on drilling holes at the barrel bottom for oxygen enter at the bottom. thanks and learned a lot from you two. Bob

[QuantumMechanic_]

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.

[LifeWaytv]

God bless you cousins. Great job. We've learned a lot over here in Kenya.

[fruitytarian]

Very easy to follow, and simpler than the retort method, thank you both 🙂

[frankleestrange]

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.

[davidt]

Gentlemen, nicely done and very well explained. Much appreciated. Thanks.

[andyrbush]

I make charcoal in Thailand. We have the holes in the bottom of the barrel. We fill the barrel completely, kindling at the bottom then any size wood that will fit. We dig a small trench about six inches wide and a foot longer than the barrel diameter. I put kindling in the trench, out the barrel over the trench and light the kindling in the trench. Otherwise very similar to your way but it can all be prepared ahead of time.

[marydaley]

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

[shanerobillard]

Great video. Appreciate the explanation and all the steps

[Nanogrip]

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!