Making Charcoal at Home. Free DIY Fuel

Charcoal is a main fuel for my metal melting furnace. This time I want to share how I usually make it.

Step 1: Preparing Firewood and Starting a Fire

To make charcoal I use all the wood I have. No matter if it's dry or wet. I load firewood in steel containers, add some gasoline and start a fire.

Step 2: It's Time to Close Containers

After some time time (in my case it was approx 2.5 hours) it was time to close containers. No air should get inside!

Step 3: Got Perfect Charcoal

After 24 hours I opened containers. Only the upper layer of firewood didn't become charcoal. All other firewood became perfect charcoal. This quantity will be enough for 4-5 aluminum (brass, copper) melting in my smelting furnace.

Comments

[Craftsmanhux]

What is the minimum depth for a container? Thanks

[DuralM]

It's not really matter. It will have influence only on time. If a container in not deep than a lot of air will reach wood and it will burn quickly. If it's extremely deep than it's possible that firewood which is on the bottom won't start burning. You need to watch and if you see that it burns too quickly stop access of oxygen to firewood. I hope that will help you :)

[Craftsmanhux]

Thank you.

[DuralM]

You're welcome :)

[gm280]

Not to sure about the gasoline part, but other then that, it is a good idea.

[Craftsmanhux]

Try bacon grease if you don't want to use gasoline

[DuralM]

You're right. No matter what to use to start fire. For barbecue may be gasoline is not the best option but my charcoal is for metal melting furnace, so it's no matter :)

[DuralM]

Thanks. Why are you not sure about gasoline? It's just to ignite wet wood. :) I always add it even with dry wood. It works the same as any other lighting fluid. :)

[Craftsmanhux]

Thank you solo much for the movie! If a picture is a thousand words, a good video is about a billion squared.

[DuralM]

You're welcome. And of course thank you for your kind words. I'm glad that it's useful for someone :)

[jkimball]

How much wood do you start with, and how much charcoal do you end up with?

[DuralM]

Hi. I should say that this method is very efficient. You lose very small quantity. Because of the container, not a lot of air get inside. There is not enough oxygen to burn underlayer.