Biochar Retort - a self regulating, no cost, DIY system

#biochar #permaculture #diy #regenerativefarming #compost #homesteading #homestead #homesteading #recycle
A zero cost Biochar Retort system I have made from repurposed materials. I used biochar in the compost we generate from our property.
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Thanks for Watching!!

[@nemesis1291]

Saw the short with the chickens composting and now this, you got yourself a new subscriber. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪✌🏻

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Aww thanks! I love hearing where people are from:) welcome to the channel. Glad to have you here! 👋

[@nemesis1291]

@@therealprtrhsenteal thank you sir.

[@rongray4118]

Simple and straightforward. Thank you for posting your video and instruction!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks for the kind review. Thanks for watching:)

[@redgumconstructions6654]

I love what your doing, keep up the good work! Give back more then you take, good stuff❤

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you! I will try to keep sharing content.

[@JessMcCrossan]

Stumbled here in a YT click hole and am so glad I did! I can't wait to try this in the spring at the cottage.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Welcome! 🙂

[@LaidBackHomesteader]

excellent video. Im going to make a burner just like the one you have shown us. I've watched many videos where the system is over engineered but this method is set it and forget it let it do its thing. As soon as you opened the inner drum i started to giggle it sounded class just like glass!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

That glass sound is a pretty satisfying sound! Glad you liked the video and good luck with your project. 😉

[@GrowBigTVwithJoeandKorky]

New to the channel appreciate you showing us everything

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks and glad you are here. Welcome! 🙂

[@joeJoe-pb3su]

Cool 😎

[@craigsymington5401]

Neat. Have barrels (thanks to my work), tools, skills and chimney. Next weekend we build, my buddy works at a place with an endless source of hardwood offcuts, and we love charcoal bbq😎

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Nice! Hardwood feedstock is a great resource for biochar and for making lump charcoal. Such a score! 👍

[@liljoe8952]

Great video, you and your channel are helping me get started on my permaculture, self sustainable journey. God bless.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks for your comment I really appreciate it. Im still learning everyday so im glad you are getting something from the channel. Welcome!

[@Happydirtdude]

When you took a bite of that charcoal I decided right then and there this was a channel I needed to subscribe to. 🙌

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Lol 👊

[@mb369b8]

Thank you so much. I fired mine up today. I plan to combine it with tea from my worm castings. Fingers crossed for good reults

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Right on! Keep working at refining your system and let me know how it goes. 😉

[@majorphoto]

great idea to incorporate with your calves!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Yeah it is nice to have them crush it passively and it is a great feed Additive as well. Glad you liked the video.

[@HomesteadOC]

Great looking char, thanks for doing the taste test. Where do you get all your wood scraps? I do more of a burn pit style with branch cuttings from around the homestead and these giant century plants that im removing. I bought a pallet of cinder blocks and i build a pit around a century plant clump and fill it full of brush and logs. Invite people over for a bonfire party and have kids constantly throw more logs into the fire. When everyone goes home i spray it down to quench and disassemble the blocks in the morning. Then i wheel barrow the massive amount into my chicken coop for the year where they scratch it up and mix it with all the compost i put in there and inoculate it. In the spring i dig it all out and spread it by the wheel barrow around my fruit trees. The chickens have access to the orchard so they will continue to spread it everywhere around the property.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Man that sounds like a great idea thanks for sharing. Char party!👌 I get my feedstock from a local mill that has alot of cut ends of various sizes available to the public on a regular basis. It is mostly doug fir and always clean and untreated. I also get all of my shavings from there as well.

[@chetgreen5739]

Great video! Really...

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you!

[@B30pt87]

I like your video! Concise and accurate. Also, Elly May is beautiful!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks much for your comment! Elly is very special so thanks again:) 💛

[@georgecarlin2656]

4:05 not a fan of your method but your biochar sounds RIDICULOUSLY good, I'm doing trench method because I only have tree branches or corn stalk.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Everybody has their own way and my system may not be the best for your inputs. The important thing is we are making char which is a pretty excellent use of waste biomass. You do you brother. Make char!

[@sathancat]

Sounds and looks great! I'm always interested to hear the different ways people charge their char- thanks for sharing this

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@dublloyd9625]

enjoyed this video it showed this can be done easier than one might think thanks for sharing

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

You are welcome!

[@stacyclark5910]

I have watched several of other videos & this is first time this concept has been explained to me & made sense! It still might awhile before I get around to making this happen but at least I know why & how! Thanks!👨🏻‍🌾

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind review. Making char is pretty awesome for alot of reasons and it will always be there when you are ready to start making it! Have a great new year. 🙂

[@luiscastaneda5481]

Looks like it works great wish you went in to more detail about the placement of air holes and such for actually building this retort. I know it's probably simple but a good how to is always popular.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Hey man I just saw this comment sorry about the 6 month delay. Good suggestion and I may go into further detail in a future video now that char season is almost upon us. Thanks again!

[@B30pt87]

There are other videos about making the holes. This one tells (shows) you all you need to know though. It is the best (and shortest) one I've seen yet. All you need to do is allow enough air intake at the bottom of the outer barrel to make a strong fire, and enough holes in the inner barrel to allow gas outflow. If you want to see a more involved setup, I recommend Geoff Lawton's video. Good for you for being interested!

[@denveready3486]

Such a great setup I would also like some more details on the air holes and the fire method Keep up the informative posts

[@chrisfitzgerald6214]

Your videos are great to watch! I have been attempting to make biochar with several methods also, but haven’t perfected it just yet! Thanks for the information!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

@scout7060 Here is a follow-up video I created showing more detail of how the system is setup. I hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emq0oGOXoa-hZtEsi=bZHjzLBls_BB3Z8X

[@thebluffsonbroadway4958]

That was brilliant to put it with the livestock so they could break it down!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you. Work smarter! 😉

[@HoffAppFarm]

Awesome! Hoping to try this soon...not sure if the retort method is different totally or a version of the TLUD...need to research more which is the best method for us (fairly large volumes at a time, can allow it to burn on it's own while we do other work, very little waste, safe, etc.)...thanks!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I hope you find a good system which works for you. There are alot of options for sure. Glad you liked the video!

[@shimilangagardens]

Sounds like a healthy breakfast alternative. Very crunchy.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

High fiber/ low sodium 👌

[@matthewmcdonald4546]

Good video. Thanks!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Glad you liked it!

[@adambennett9802]

Awesome, luv your channel! Tnx for sharing 😊

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you are liking the videos! 🤘

[@adambennett9802]

@@therealprtrhsenteal Absolutely 💯. Some people have that special something and you both have it. I'm finishing up an assignment, I've been on for the past 4yrs and 364 days. Tomorrow 7/24, is my 5th year anniversary 🤣. Your videos have been very informative and I enjoy them when I can. What I love most is that you are very articulate, something I greatly appreciate! Tnx for replying and have an amazing day 😁

[@mle396]

Right On! A new experiment fore to try, I've recently started researching char, (I'm a bit curious as to your taste test) It's early spring in Oklahoma and I'm ready to spend my days in the Garden again.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Absolutely has not taste but this taste test is not advisable. Your mouth will instantly have every bit of moisture removed the moment you bite into it. Good luck on your char making and thanks for watching! 👍

[@ms.royahrens8777]

I’ve never heard of this… my husband will be very interested in this. Though we don’t have access to wood scraps…any scraps we have I use in the wood burning cook stove to cook with lol!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Haha I get it. The wood I use makes for great kindling or small woodworking projects. It just happens I also use it to make char since it so plentiful. Thank you! 🙂

[@johnkilgallon207]

Love the video, easy and accessible information and your system makes great charcoal, I can tell from that clinking, tinkling sound! I have one question/potential improvement? Since heat rises, wouldn't the burn be more efficient if the fuel wood was put in first, at the bottom, with the inner barrel put on top of it? That way, all the heat from the fire at the bottom would heat the inner barrel more efficiently, and as the fuel burned down to ash, the inner barrel would settle into the ash, and close off the oxygen intake to the inner barrel even more. Great videos.. Thank you so much!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I suppose inverting the burn chamber could work however with the lid on my 30 gal being held in place by weight and friction movement of the barrel would compromise the seal. If I was using a ring it may not be an issue. It may be an interesting experiment for me to try nonetheless. Thanks for the suggestion. 👌

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

Very interesting.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you! 👋

[@hvacman2009]

Great job 👍

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@IndianaBackyardGardener]

I have a mill near me that also puts out the scrap wood for free, I love it!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

That is a great resource to have locally. Free stuff is what's up! 👍

[@adolphusbailiff4693]

More info on the barrels would surely help. Are there holes in the 30 gal., etc.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Here is a closer look at this retort: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emq0oGOXoa-hZtE I hope this helps!

[@randystanton1224]

Anyone thought about taking the bottom drawers out of a filing cabinet. Filling the top drawer with mulch and setting a rocket stove in cabinet under top drawer?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Might be an interesting experiment to see. I would question the durability of the file cabinet to first see if it works as intended and second to see how long it lasts.

[@SilverFireStoves]

Excellent! Thx!

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video:)

[@allenchase3987]

I would love to see a more detailed video of you sucking up the Keland you know even from the very beginning of initiating the kiln I appreciate what you’re doing I actually have a 64 acre farm in Tanzania that I’d like to end up making our own biochar thank you again

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

What is sucking up the keiland?

[@vward4871]

How do you attach the chimney to the lid? Do I need a welder?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Mine is not attached. The hole in the lid was cut with precise accuracy and it fits very snug.I was going to put l brackets to hold it together but found I did not need to.

[@dw9876]

Do you get a lot of dense smoke when the Pyrolysis begins? I have a similar kiln and the syngas does not ignite but instead comes out the stack. I get great char though. Any thoughts as to why the secondary burn is not happening?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

There is very little smoke once I get the air to fuel ratio correct. I have to keep the lid propped open until the fire is well established. There is little to no smoke as the stock in the inner chamber begins to drive off gas. There is puffs of smoke occasionally. I believe this is due to the feedstock in the outer chamber settling ans shifting as it burns down.

[@mudwellies1]

Our first burn in our barrel made biochar out of small sticks but I feel it should have burned better. What did you use to cut the larger triangles toward the bottom of the barrel? We only have a round drill bit so only have the circles.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

So cool. Sounds like you are getting it going! The triangular holes were cut with a jigsaw using a metal blade.

[@RandoBox]

How did it taste?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

There was no taste. Just super dry.

[@B30pt87]

Thanks. I wondered that myself.

[@williamgarr8100]

I am having a heck of a time finding 30Gal Drums. Any suggestions? Can find 55 all over the place, but not 30.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

You can actually purchase them off Amazon but that is an expensive option and a better option might to look on Craigslist or if you know of a trucking company locally that does hazardous materials clean-up. Try to be patient but persistent and something will become available. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@brucethiessen1611]

I used a 45 gallon inside and cut two of them to create the larger outside barrel . Had to build bigger lid as well but works great and bigger makes more char at once

[@mudwellies1]

Sorry for so many questions. We got the triangles made and are filling again for second burn. My husband said it will take all of our 1-year-old kindling to fill the barrel. We have only branches and logs and not scrap wood. How long do small cut branches and kindling take to season before burning for biochar?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

It really depends on the size of the branches, the climate you are in, whether the material is green or dead etc. But generally cut branches or brush 1" to 2" in diameter will cure in around 6 -9 months give or take depending on the variable above. A good test is whether the material breaks or bends.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

It really depends on a number of factors. Size of material, climate etc. Generally, fresh cut material 1"- 2" will cure well enough in 6 months to 1 year but a good test is whether the material bends or breaks. Alot of variables to consider but the smaller the material the sooner it will dry. Good luck.

[@mudwellies1]

@@therealprtrhsenteal Thank you and I guess our material is mostly not ready to burn. We will have to organize our wood better! I also want to start cooking some meat over our firepit using our fruit wood trimmings! I am guessing that needs to be seasoned wood as well

[@marcusnguyen3185]

How long does the system last? One video a person stated 10 times. I cannot believe it only last 10 burns. Getting 30 gallons is hard and expensive. Cheapest I can find is $200. If this does not last long maybe be better to go with stainless steel and fork you double the price for the 30 gallon drum. Thanks for the video.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

My barrels have more than 85 batches run through them. They have lasted much better than I expected.

[@Hilltopblues]

How do U find your 30 gal barrels with removeable lids? I have asked 6 different farmers. No farmer has one with removeable lids. One farmer had a barrel with no lid. He wanted $25 for it.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Here is the link for the barrels where my friend buys those barrels. They are very expensive so that may be a deterrent but I got my 30 gal given to me so that is why I built mine this way. Good luck. www.grainger.com/search/material-handling/storage-workspace/drums-pails-ibc-totes-tanks/drums-drum-handling-equipment/drums-lids-covers/open-head-transport-drums?sst=4&ts_optout=true&searchQuery=30+gallon+drum&categoryIndex=2

[@stevenwood7131]

What's your thoughts about using a 30 gallon metal garbage can...after to burn off all the galvanized coating? Or does the can lid not make a sufficient seal?

[@positiverealitynak1014]

Hi..is there a video that ecplains how to make the burn barrel ?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I did not film any footage of me making the retort. It probably would have been a good idea but I didn't even know if it would work out when I was making it. I will definitely film my next build.

[@lydiarenard1745]

Do you know much about using invasive species to create bio char? I’m looking to build a system to burn and utilize paper mulberry roots and cats claw weeds from my urban farm.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I do not have experience using using those invasives but my assumption is in the right system they would make adequate char. Let me me know how it goes. I would be interested to hear. Thanks!

[@Truth8Hurts]

Very nice! Where did you get your barrels?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I got them from a friend who has a haz/mat removal company. They sell them from Grainger. Very expensive, probably not worth the investment unless you could find them used.

[@dcnylund]

Love the setup you have. What is the diameter and length of the chimney you’re using?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Thanks! The flue pipe is 10" diameter and 36" in length. I would have liked to have another section to add but I got all of this for free and there was only one section of pipe. Works well enough!

[@yousafabbas6914]

dear @therealprtrhsenteal can we use charcoal and treatment with compost to use it instead of making biochar ? How different will it be ?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

It really depends on what one is referring to as charcoal. Lump charcoal is made using the same process of pyrolysis. The main difference is lump charcoal still has organic impurities remaining. That is why lump char will flavor your food when cooking. Organic impurities will contribute to the degradation of the char over time so it is best to make char that is as pre as possible. That said some claim to have made biochar using purchased charcoal. Be careful if you go this route it is has not been enhanced chemically to aid in cooking or other uses. Good luck. 👌

[@yousafabbas6914]

​@@therealprtrhsentealThank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. How long does 1 burn takes to make the biochar ?

[@joes5222]

Mexican Palm tree fronds comes with space for air and fiber frond can lasting years. May be palm frond is good biochar from nature. Don’t need to burn. Any advise? Thanks

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I suspect palm fronds would work as feedstock. I would like to know how that works for you. I personally have never tried it or even considered it. Let me know!

[@pattreacy5178]

Question, how did you seal inner barrel?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I use a heavy weight on top of the lid. It provides enough of a seal and prevents deformation during the heating and cooling process.

[@lisavincenti4688]

Hi how many holes in the center barrel please?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

There are 5. Here is a more detailed description of the build. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emq0oGOXoa-hZtE

[@hiz-n-lowz1577]

cool stuff! Im curious, have you ever weighed the wood you put into the 30 gal. and weight the charcoal you got out?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I have never weighed the before and after but I am actually going to do that! If I was to guess I would estimate an 80% reduction. I am curious if I am close. Thanks for peaking my interest. 👊

[@lethal-4]

what about the timing process of pyrolysis? are you able to tell the duration for your process?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Here is a video I created which explains all things biochar in 7 minutes .This may provide some answers to your questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ml6wZnd7hryll7c I hope this helps!

[@pambennett8967]

How do you know which woods are good for this? Wouldn't cedar not be good the to the oils? Would the oils prevent the biochar from being useful? What about black walnut ?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Any carbonaceous biomass can be used to make effective char. Wood with high oil or pitch content may require higher temperature and or increased length of time to remove all of the volatiles. Good luck. 👌

[@rayjil7435]

You have holes drilled both at the bottom and top?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

This video explains better how the system was created. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emq0oGOXoa-hZtE Essentially yes there are holes at the top and bottom of the 55 gal.

[@illwill5084]

I dated a woman who on our first dinner at her house she cook chicken wings that just turned into ashe and bio char was the first thing that came to mind😂

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Haha! It's hard to find a girl who can make a soil amendment out of dinner! 🔥

[@lethal-4]

lol

[@mudwellies1]

There are 31 gallon trash cans at Walmart for cheap. Would those work inside the 55 gallon drum?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Trash cans would not withstand the temperatures within the retort. I would be surprised if it lasted through one burn. It might be worth experimenting just to see. Good suggestion though. 👌

[@mudwellies1]

Am I looking for a 30 gallon oil drum then?@@therealprtrhsenteal

[@jturk56]

Just subbed! Do you put holes in the 30 gallon drum?

[@derekdelfino2974]

I cannot seem to locate a metal 30 gallon barrel to save my life. I have looked everything. By chance does anyone maybe have an idea? I even checked FB marketplace.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I got them from a friend who has a haz/mat removal company. They sell them from Grainger. Very expensive, probably not worth the investment unless you could find them used.

[@permatopiafarm1119]

Can I use cedar tree? We have tons around our property. Great content. Thanks.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Hey mandie! Yes. Any carbon source including cedar will make char if the material has undergone pyrolysis for enough time to remove the volatile organic compounds. 👌

[@permatopiafarm1119]

@@therealprtrhsenteal Awesome, thank you.

[@AalFaizal]

Did you add more wood in the bottom when all of them already ignited? or it's just a gas from 30 gallon bucket?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

No I do not add any wood once it is lit.

[@AalFaizal]

​​​so it's like chain reaction then? gas produce by the wood inside 30 gallon bucket, burned and keeping the temperature high untill all the wood inside of it become charcoal. @@therealprtrhsenteal

[@realiteorganics]

Great video indeed. How much time it took to make charcoal? Regards

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Generally it is mostly done in about an hour but the whole process takes several hours from start up to cool down.

[@ambientdesign3310]

Great video!!! Where can I find plans to build the bio char 55 gallon drum system?

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

I do not have any plans for this particular build. I just kinda replicated what I had seen others do. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the feedback.

[@ماريماري-ح7ت]

How many times take this operation??????

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Not sure if I understand your question but the retort is going on it's 3rd season and I've done around 90ish batches.

[@robertvanderhoof6082]

Hey man, I’ve been making biochar for a little while. And your method works out great. But I’m just curious brother where are you from and you don’t have to answer that. Personally, I’m guessing as a good friend of mine who is a gardener as well said Pakistani.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Lol not from Pakistan. Native California. Thanks for watching. Make char!

[@blazingglory4207]

Do you put anything on the bottom between the 55gal & 30gal? (Or does the bottom of the inner bin sit directly on the bottom of the big one?) Thank you so much for making this . Feeling confident about my lil 5gal system. Same setup but a 5gal, 3gal, and stove pipe for top.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

There is no need to put anything in between the two barrels. I just have 5-3/8" holes in the bottom of the 30 gal and lip around thw bottom of the 30 gal provide a bit of an air gap for gases to be driven out.

[@tory464]

💚👍

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

😉

[@jimh4167]

So correct me ... So basicly your removing all the moisture from the wood

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

All of the moisture as well as all of the volatile organic compounds so all that is left is a blank carbon shell.

[@terijean6351]

Char, biochar is activated char.

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Not exactly.

[@simplysimon1918]

Why is this not how everyone is doing it? I dont get it - people are just burning wood or digging holes....this seems like the most fool proof way and organized way of doing batches

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

Pits are great for charing large quantities of biomass that is large in size. Downside is it takes more interaction with the material in the pit. The retort like mine works well for small batches but is fairly hands off in the process. Both are useful methods. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@relevation0]

So what did it taste like? 😂

[@therealprtrhsenteal]

No taste. 👌

[@relevation0]

@@therealprtrhsenteal crazy