Monday, August 15, 2016

Photo essay On Making Charcoal

Photo Essay on How to Make Charcoal during a backyard bonfire.



 Prepare can: punch hole in lid with finishing nail, fill with desired wood and tighten lid well.


Place the can close to the fire and wait for the water to evaporate as steam.


Keep an eye on the amount of steam, if it is too much like a pillar pressure is building up and the lid may blow off, introducing oxygen (if that happens, quickly grab the lid and put it back on).


Blowing smoke like a smoker, you're good - puffing like a steam train engine, keep an eye on it. If there suddenly is no smoke at all the hole might have become plugged with melted sugars, use a nail to poke it back open (I find large nails work well, small nails goop up too easily resulting in exploding lids).


It takes hours and hours, and pallets and pallets, to get a good burn - start early or be prepared to stay up late!


We were not deterred by a little rain (notice the rainbow in the background), and the fire was not either.


The first can starts burning like a candle, now the combustibles are burning off. Make sure to have enough open flame around the can it can catch fire.


Fairly quickly, so don't visit the bathroom now, the flame peters out. This means all the combustibles have burned off and only the carbonates remain. Pay attention!


The moment the flame is out, plug the hole and take the can out of the heat. Let it cool down.

 

When it is room temperature, open the lid and admire your work!


A science project liked by young - and old :)

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