Steward Community Woodland - How to make a charcoal kiln Page 1 of 2
How to build a small charcoal kiln
These small kilns may not process much wood in one go but are
quick and easy to build, transport and use. They can be used to
make both artists and BBQ charcoal.
You will need
An old oil drum or metal dustbin.
Three or four bricks
Something to use as a lid.
How to build it
1. If you are using a drum, one end needs to be removed. If the top
has not been removed, cut the top out using a chisel or an angle
grinder.
2. Cut some holes in the base of the drum or bin. About a dozen
openings of an inch or two should be fine.
3. Place the drum or bin, with its open end up, on bricks to enable air
to flow through the holes you have cut in the base.
4. You will need a lid - perhaps a metal dustbin lid or something
similar.
How you use it
1. Start a fire in a bottom of the kiln using paper, cardboard and
larger kindling.
2. Once you have a strong fire, load your branch wood randomly into
the kiln leaving air gaps.
3. When the fire is burning really well, restrict the air intake by
banking earth around the base but leave a small (4 inch) gap. Place
the lid partially on so that smoke can still excape.
4. Thick white steamy smoke is created during the charring process.
Bang or shake the kiln to settle the contents and create more smoke
when the process seems to have slowed.
5. When the smoke changes to thin blue smoke the water has been
driven off and the charcoal is burning. Close off all the air intakes at
the base with more earth and close the lid fully. Make it as air tight as
possible.
6. The burn will continue for three to four hours and should then be
left to cool for another 24 hours before the kiln is tipped over and
emptied of the charcoal you have produced.
file://C:\My Downloads\Steward Community Woodland - How to make a charcoal kiln.htm 2/8/2006
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file://C:\My Downloads\Steward Community Woodland - How to make a charcoal kiln.htm 2/8/2006