Making Willow Charcoal

[deerstalkert]

does it clink like a toast glass when you tap it together? sure sign its done.

 

[deerstalkert]

Thanks deerstalkert! I haven't made any yet, but will soon as I've collected some willow from the back yard.

Let me see if I understood you correctly:

Put the hole in the bottom of the can. Set it in the flame, or on the burner, right-side-up with the hole down? YES

You direct the weed burner at the side of the can? YES

The way I've seen it always done is with the vent on the top side, and flames coming out the top.

So yours flames with the hole in the bottom of the can? YES, that way the heat of the volatiles burning off aid in the cooking process.
as with staying married, there are many ways to accomplish the desired outcome.

 

[pamtnman]

Using charcoal to make charcoal…
Generally hardwoods make the best charcoal, certainly for cooking. For making your own gunpowder, willow is the traditional material. But that’s from places that often lacked abundant hardwoods.

 

[Dude]

as with staying married, there are many ways to accomplish the desired outcome.

The trick is knowing which ones work. When I was younger I figured I'd try anything once. A little smarter now, I tend to do a little research first.

 

[Dude]

Using charcoal to make charcoal…
Generally hardwoods make the best charcoal, certainly for cooking. For making your own gunpowder, willow is the traditional material. But that’s from places that often lacked abundant hardwoods.

Hardwoods may make the best charcoal for cooking, but I've heard the soft woods are best for black powder.

 

[deerstalkert]

willow has been the traditional wood for char for century's. fast growing ,soft and almost useless for other uses.
Old man Du Pont used to walk his estate in Wilmington and gather sticks to add to their supply.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Just a reminder, as we seem to be drifting into a discussion of how to make BP DIY...., which is verboten on the forum.

LD

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Willow twigs made into charcoal function well as writing implements. You should see what they charge for them at the art stores.

I used to own an art supply store many years ago. I still have a stock of those charcoals.

 

[pamtnman]

Hardwoods may make the best charcoal for cooking, but I've heard the soft woods are best for black powder.

I would not know and I suspect even mentioning it here is going to raise a yellow flag. I just cook meats and veggies with my charcoal. The hickory is especially tasty, which is amazing, considering that it’s just charcoal

 

[mooman76]

Well the barbi grill it was. 5.5 hours to get the willow charcoal. And it turned out good. But took wayyyyy too long on the barbi. Will not be doing that method of heat on the next batch for sure. Now on to making of the BP. First batcher here so its all new to me. Thanks for good suggestions.

Wouldn't several smaller cans work faster?

 

[deerstalkert]

the retort needs to be as full as possible to give no room for oxygen. smaller containers would certainly work but a gallon size sealable can is easier to find.

 

[beardedhorse]

Willow, alder and tree of heaven all work in modern home made black powder. They grow abundantly in U.S. but a European made commercial black powder may be using a red alder. I prefer charring in an open bonfire or inside a wood stove. Don't get even charring over propane or Coleman fueled stoves for charcoal and char cloth.

 

[bud in pa]

I’d use a single burner propane stove.

 

[mtsage]

does it clink like a toast glass when you tap it together? sure sign its done.

It does.

 

[mtsage]

I’d use a single burner propane stove.

Found one in my storage unit. Turkey gas burner. life will get easier. Thanks

 

[mtsage]

Wouldn't several smaller cans work faster?

I actually drove in some of the sticks with a hammer. It was tight. Propane grill is not the best tool for sure

 

[deerstalkert]

whenever i venture into my storage units, AKA the shacks by the wife, it is like Christmas!
so! thats where that went, so! i knew i had one of those!
i even found a old sxs 12ga i had forgotten. of course i promptly forgot what i was looking for in the first place!

 

[deerstalkert]

I actually drove in some of the sticks with a hammer. It was tight. Propane grill is not the best tool for sure

question, did you peel the sticks or leave them clothed?

 

[sgtsquid]

question, did you peel the sticks or leave them clothed?

You will want to peel the bark off. I won't speculate on the final use of your charcoal but depending on what you are using it for, you want hard wood with the lowest ash content you can get. That generally means the whitest wood you can find, like willow or ash. I have heard that grape vines work good but I haven't tried it. I have also heard that pine can work well if you get the sap out first.

 

[deerstalkert]

white pine does work...... sort of. once charred the pitch is converted to carbon. never liked the results. stayed with willow for 6 decades or so.