I have very little top soil and clay underneath. The clay just cracks and lets air in. I found sand is a good sealer. I use welding glove to move the bricks out. No bother really.
Just to add that I had a very interesting day last year doing this course:
http://www.thenetherfieldcentre.co.uk/agendas/rural%20skills/charcoal_making.pdf
I have 2 oil drum kilns ready to go now, but haven't used them yet.
Steve.
woodbodger- i have come across a kiln (once) made from a squareish oil tank . This had problems -sort of 'cold spots ' in the corners . Something round is probably better .
To continue on the efficiency theme ,i reckon that if one is using real waste brash for the heating part of the burn ,then it's not much odds re the size . Have tried using brash ,but the kiln is then half full of brash , thus final product volume is lessened .
Am hoping to do well this year - the football world cup schedule is favourable -matches finishing at 5pm, then starting at 7.30pm = classic bbq windows .
yo darren ,
Sorry , am poor at transposing with a keyboard , knew that i hadn't been clear .
will try ;
kiln ~8 cubic metres(cm)
using brash , ~4cm are used up with the brash (the sacrificial element) .leaving ~4cm to become charcoal.
using firewood ,~a lot less than 4cm used up as sacrificial element ,leaving a lot more cm to become charcoal .
By the time i factor in the hassle of trailering 4cm of brash to the kiln ,it doesnt seem viable .More charcoal out of the kiln per burn = less burns= happy woodsman .
There i'm sure i've managed to not elucidate at all.
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