Channel: Charles Dowding

Category: Howto & Style

Tags: biocharenrich charcoalmaking charcoal

Description: After meeting Connor Lascelles, I decided to buy one of the kilns he recently designed, still somewhat prototype. I am intrigued by the clean burn technology and then the potential uses of resulting charcoal. I'm still unclear in my mind about use of the term biochar. For me it's about charging the charcoal with microbes, hence my desire to add it in small quantities to our compost heaps, where it fills it's crystalline lattice structure with life. As I understand it, the charcoal made with this burn process has a very open and crystalline structure, which enables more of other materials to be held inside. If fresh charcoal like this is spread on the ground, initially it will absorb a lot of microbes and perhaps nutrients in some form. I reckon it needs charging first. I have no commercial interest in Earthly Biochar. Connor and I don't agree about all of this. See what you think! 00:00 Introduction by Connor Lascelles, one of the founders of Earthly Biochar 00:24 Connor explains how the kiln helps to remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, and then how the charcoal can be used as a soil amendment 00:58 The kiln, and how it fits together 01:32 Important tips on safety when using the kiln 02:00 A ‘tour’ of the kiln, with explanation of the components 02:26 The importance of the wind protector/flame concentrator for preventing smoke production 02:47 Reasons for not producing smoke – environmental 03:18 Using the chimney for cooking 03:32 ‘Feed stock’ to burn on the kiln, eg wood chip - what type to use and why, and how to prepare it for the kiln 05:05 Or using kindling (and how this helps with biodiversity) 05:31 Adding the feed stock, using wood chip to demonstrate, and getting it ready for for burning with firelighters 07:55 Connor demonstrates how to light it using a blow torch 10:05 Putting on the flame concentrator, and explanation of how it works in relation to air flow, and then how this produces charcoal with a clean burn and no escape of methane 13:39 The importance of using dry feed stock 14:41 A look at the fire, and the importance of an even burn for preventing smoke and methane 15:10 What to do if the kiln does start to produce smoke 15:34 How long the process takes, and ways to use the heat 16:43 A look at the size and colour of the flame, what this tells us and when to quench the flame 18:16 Using a temperature gun to see how far the burn has progressed downwards 19:26 Connor demonstrates how to quench the fire with water from a watering can 23:40 A look at the charcoal that has been created 24:57 How to empty the kiln after use 26:39 Ideas for how to enliven the charcoal by adding to a compost heap 27:03 How the charcoal can be used with kitchen compost caddies, to reduce the smell! 27:30 Connor explains how he came to design the kiln and start his business Connor and his partner Lottie Hawkins run Earthly Biochar, who make and sell the kilns, and sell charcoal/biochar. earthlybiochar.com See my woodchip video for more ideas on using wood to improve our soils youtube.com/watch?v=qhBvEG_Pg8Y Music for this video is from "Homeacres" by Jacqui Vincent, listen here, download for £1 jacquivincent.bandcamp.com/track/homeacres Filmed at Homeacres no dig garden 26th February by Nicola Smith, edited by Alessandro Vitale @Spicy Moustache More from Charles: You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members: youtube.com/channel/UCB1J6siDdmhwah7q0O2WJBg/join CD 60 Module Trays In the USA you can buy these via allaboutthegarden.com In the UK you can buy these via containerwise.co.uk/product/charles-dowding-60-cell or via refillroom.com/product-category/garden In Europe you can buy these via thefarmdream.com/product-category/propagation-trays To buy video garden guides with a unique search function charlesdowding.retrieve.com/store/# To buy one of my online courses charlesdowding.co.uk/product-category/online-courses To buy a signed book charlesdowding.co.uk/product-category/books To join an in person Day or Weekend course at Homeacres charlesdowding.co.uk/product-category/courses To buy t-shirts and hoodies with my exclusive no dig designs, use this link charlesdowding.teemill.com