Another charcoal question

[powderhombre]

For those of you who make your own charcoal. I have read through the archived posts on making willow charcoal and the one thing never mentioned is, Does it matter if you use Summer Green, Winter dormant or Standing dead willow? Where I live there is a lot of standing dead willow and aspen. Thanks

 

[Woody Morgan]

I imagine it doesn't make much difference. You're after the "skeleton" of the wood, not the fluids.
Others will be by to refute that in 3...2...1...

wm

 

[Tasbay]

I normally cut mine during summer in leaf, strip the bark , let it dry in the shed till winter or the next. Then cook it.

 

[Nobade]

Swiss says they cut it in the spring when the sap is rising so they get the maximum amount of carbohydrates in it. It is the sugars and creosote that is what is giving the power.

 

[sawyer04]

I have never given it much thought, when I need charcoal, I just cook it. Never saw much difference in quality, because I believe charcoal is charcoal.

 

[Sam squanch]

Don’t use Kingsford….

 

[RAEDWALD]

Cut in the spring when the sap has begun to rise which makes it easier to remove the bark, and you do not want charcoaled bark. I understand this is what the suppliers to the Swiss and French do and sell the bark to use the tannin.

 

[deerstalkert]

spring / summer willow is easier to peel, but i have used old dead buckskinned willow and it works just fine.
sugars and creosote? don't know about that. when my retort is done those are all cooked off.

 

[Rob M.]

For those of you who make your own charcoal. I have read through the archived posts on making willow charcoal and the one thing never mentioned is, Does it matter if you use Summer Green, Winter dormant or Standing dead willow? Where I live there is a lot of standing dead willow and aspen. Thanks

Its best if it has seasoned a bit ,couple month at least ...