How To Make Your Own Charcoal

This video shows how to make your own charcoal including how I made a simple and cheap kiln to cook the wood and the steps used to make the charcoal; Booyah!
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[@robertmontgomery3186]

Rick: I have watched many videos on making your own charcoal, but this one is the best I have seen. You even went as far as explaining the flame and what each type of flame was burning off. Thank s two thumbs up.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Robert - you, made my day for sure; Booyah!

[@danielb7086]

Shold we enlighted the methane on the chimney ?tq

[@dzna5g986]

I agree

[@Mrshale555]

how good is it!! I been trying to find a good video and design and he nailed it

[@louiscaston9692]

Yes, he did a great job of identifying the various stages of the burn. I have a degree in Chemical Engineering, and I found this to be fascinating stuff!

[@chuckmoment]

I come back to this video once every couple of years to re-ignite my passion for charcoal

[@nancymcilhenny1979]

you got a like right off the bat with "Sorry kids, dad's on a mission"....

[@theoriginalchefboyoboy6025]

yeah, wait til the kids are "on a mission" with dad's classic Ferrari!!! Viva Feris Bueller!!!

[@RickRabjohn]

@@theoriginalchefboyoboy6025 hahahahahahah

[@mangomadness8635]

My favorite line👍

[@JLopez-oi9cv]

Wow that brought me back to when I was a kid and my teenage brothers and I used to make them. We didn't get great results like this, but we got it done. Great, great video.

[@earthishome1866]

Wow great result. The best DIY charcoal making video. Excellent!!!! From Russia.....

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you!

[@toddshook1765]

Been doing research on making charcoal and your setup seems to work great. Others use a barrel standing up then start fire then put lid on after a while. Yours just seal up and light fire under it. Low maintenance. Thanks for sharing. Daughter caught great video.

[@brudo5056]

yes but because of the 'open fire' under the barrel I think there is a lot of loss in energy efficiency and the proportion 'mass charcoal' vs 'mass burned wood' is quite low. But I agree on the nice low tech construction itself.

[@markwatch12]

A lot of store charcoal comes from virgin rainforest. This is so worth doing. I like your method, thanks for sharing

[@shawncrocker7037]

Great video! Very clear on the lack of burning gases coming from the chimney signaling completion.

[@yourdadsotherfamily3530]

As a chef that smokes and uses charcoal and is very into diy your video was very helpful and great info for people who want to make their own now they can! Thanks again’

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Zachary!

[@michaelchitwood389]

Let the wood species experiments begin!

[@davidstewart860]

Very informative and I love the simplicity of the build. It is a great way to get started. Thank you Rick!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Dave!

[@0612CNA]

My dad is retiring back to his hometown in Mexico in a few months and he’s been looking for some DIY builds. We live out near Chicago so we can’t do this here; Most definitely gonna try this out. Thanks man!

[@chrsmcwtrs]

this is hands down the simplest way to make charcoal.. ive watch alot of videos and alot of guys go to alot of trouble to do it harder.. this is the best way!!

[@lycaon7888]

Great job! This is by far the easiest way I have found to make charcoal on the internet. Everyone else talks about 2 different sized buckets, punching hole(s), etc. I've got everything you used, including the pipe that my sister was going to throw away...lol. I will be using it to make mesquite charcoal which I have lots of mesquite. Glad I saw the comment about the only hole you make on the barrel was for the pipe. Thank you

[@RickRabjohn]

thanks and good luck my friend

[@melaniussumadic1759]

Thanks your procedure is simplest and best only exhaust pipe you construction above to minimize entry of oxygen.

[@badinmatenoyard]

This looks like the easier of all the ways I've seen. I believe I'll give it a try as I am a blacksmith myself and I smoke different foods for the family. Thanks much man.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Black Bear appreciate it - good luck making yours

[@danielpaulson786]

I've been watching quite a few other people on you tube making their own charcoal and so far the way you are doing it seems to be yielding more charcoal with less effort plus better uniformity.thanks for your hard work,I'm going to use the info to make my own.red oak is an excellent choice to use also.good job my friend.

[@ibanezmetal321]

I knew I was gonna like this video as soon as you cut the old ball hoop up for scrap LOL. Due diligence, patience, and attention to detail led to perfect results.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Chauncey!!

[@lifescansdarkly]

DIY done right! Love your attention to detail, and you got an incredible quantity making it worth your while.

[@rezakhalkhali7766]

Hi Rick. This was awesome! The simplest yet the most effective one I've seen that can be done at your backyard. Well done

[@RickRabjohn]

thanks!

[@Dnrjhn7]

here in Phillipines, we stacking 2 metal drums for the 3 stages of "pyrolysis" and afterwards remove the upper drum and cover the bottom drum with lid and mud for tight sealing, less smoke and fast. Your method is also great, Sir! thank you.

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

Excellent job Rick! I’m planning on building a charcoal kiln this year and your version worked very well. I may pipe the exhaust down to the fire pit as to increase the efficiency of the process.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Ray - I was thinking that if I had cut the pipe about 6 feet in length and drilled two opposite holes in the drum - top and bottom - so I would have 3 feet of the pipe sticking out the top of the drum - 2 feet within the drum (with holes cut in pipe) and 1 foot out the bottom. During the first stage I would have the top open to exhaust the moisture with the bottom sealed off and then once in stage 2 close the top and vent the volatiles out the bottom. The key would be having good caps for the pipe to seal tight but easy to open and close without getting burned . Anyways - that was my initial thought, but got lazy.

[@DmitryShevkoplyas]

Rick! This is beautiful design and very clean job done!!!! Thank you!!!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks mate - cheers!

[@barrycallow8308]

Rick, Very well done! Simple and easy way to make your own charcoal. Thanks for putting this up!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Barry!

[@edwardhine9224]

I've wondered for a long time how charcoal was made. I've enjoyed your video. Thanks,

[@Dtrevena1]

such a easy method not including the making. Always concerned with burning the wood to much and this eliminates that problem. Nice !

[@RickRabjohn]

thank you ....booyah

[@calmauric8218]

looks like you got a perfect 100% yeild out of that, well done - will be copying that :)

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Callan - copy away.......:-))

[@akfarmer]

I too have seen many charcoal making videos. Yours is one of the best. Great work. I make charcoal with apple wood, in a metal 5 gallon bucket. I like your way better. Quite the yield.

[@jameslast3192]

Great video. Such a simple way. All the other ways I’ve seen are way more complicated! Loved it! Amazing results!

[@RickRabjohn]

Glad you liked it!!

[@robmiller3156]

Great video. So simple. Will be building one with your credit!

[@RickRabjohn]

awesome!!!

[@katough]

i watched a few others and this is the one that seems right. others seem to lose alot of charcoal weight since they kinda set the actual wood on fire. this way seems to have less to do about burning the wood (bad) and more about burning off the gasses (good)

[@bloedlink2850]

Amazing result, you may be very proud of this!

[@sjelliott6660]

Great job! I just got a bunch of red oak, didn't really know what to do with it. Headed to my shop. My shop neighbor sells barrels, and I already have pipe and a fire pit!

[@bahiabdul2167]

Thank you for the video which helped my daughter to know how is charcoal made.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you...

[@bfowler4350]

Great video! Been wanting to try this myself. Glad you showed the methane burning, I didn't know about that part! Thanks

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you - it was fun to do"....

[@bfowler4350]

@@RickRabjohn ,liked, subscribed, and sharing! Will be checking out you other videos

[@kellywren9215]

Among the best videos I've seen on this so far. Well done.

[@RickRabjohn]

Wow, thanks!

[@asirifiohene2565]

Excellent job done Rick, very impressed!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you!

[@buddycarroll9641]

A lost art, brought back to life.

[@oceaniadoc5242]

Buddy Carroll I believe gas (propane) grills are to blame.

[@zo1dberg]

That band saw is awesome! Never knew that existed. Might go buy one, then I'll see if i can find a use for it.

[@RickRabjohn]

It's worked great for me and for $99 bucks, it's hard to beat!

[@matthewdavis6403]

Thats so cool, my old man and I are going to try this

[@lairdcummings9092]

First try, brilliant result. The benefits of attention to detail!

[@RickRabjohn]

Many thanks!

[@marakeshg8112]

Using the tabs on the barrel to help secure the smoke stack was a really good idea. I'm going to use that in the future. Thank you.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you!

[@mountainwolf1]

I agree with Robert M. You've done a very good job in explaining and creating. Thank you very much for your time and information i'm very grateful if you don't mind i would like to use this design for my own Forge.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you!

[@retribution41]

Turned out good, very effective, thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@darlinglinden2212]

That is some beautiful charcoal!!! I cant wait to be able to try this one day. I cant do it living in the suburbs, but i will when i get to the sticks, lol

[@rogerl8488]

Wow that was cool also looks like a fun simple thing to do ! Thank you !!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Roger!

[@bradymcphail9690]

One of the better videos on making Charcoal Rick! The junk we get from the stores nowadays is disgraceful! I have been threatening to make my own for some time now, I think you may have just talked me into it friend. Ooohyahh!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Brady - much appreciated. Would like to see your set-up if you decide to do it....it wasn't that hard and always fun to have a campfire with the family; Booyah!!

[@bradymcphail9690]

Rick Rabjohn shall do!

[@dcsensui]

I did this once to make charcoal for black powder . . . in a one-gallon can. Same process but a whole lot smaller. This is really interesting!

[@robertstallard7836]

That was excellent, Rick. Really clear and entertaining, too. Top job, mate!

[@RickRabjohn]

awesome thanks Robert

[@cmasailor]

Very cool, quite interesting to see just how resource expensive this process is, makes me appreciate the whole chunk charcoal I can get locally.

[@harrymills2770]

He's wasting all the good wood gas it's making. I've seen similar setups, where the purpose was the wood gas and the charcoal was just a bonus by-product. It takes a lot more apparatus to generate wood gas you can port into the intake manifold on an engine, but there are guys out there doing it. One with an old Ford pickup and another with an old farm tractor got quite a few views on KZbin. just tooling around in their wood-gas vehicles. The only bad thing about the guys who make those videos is they're motor heads, and making their machines really LOUD is part of the joy - joy the've been feeling since playing in the back yard with their TONKA trucks as children, supplying all the engine sounds themselves. I can't PROVE that last bit, but I knew kids like that, and they all grew up to be motor heads who love the sound of a big V8 and heavy machinery, preferably with a bad muffler. Wood-gas could make a comeback, if prices for the fossil fuels keep going up. He's right about there being more water, early in the process, which is why you use a long condenser pipe between the gasifier and the intake manifold. I think the Ford guy used 4-inch pipe to make a super heavy-duty set of racks that he mounted on top of his bed rails. Turned necessity into a virtue, so his wood-gas pickup can handle tall loads and livestock. I'd love to have his setup, only with a better muffler. But very similar to what this guy's doing. It all works much better with hardwoods, and hardwoods tend to be pretty scarce, out West and up high in the USA. East of the Mississippi, you start seeing more hardwoods. One of a few things I miss about Eastern USA.

[@jarrodpenton2649]

You should make a video of you cooking with your charcoal 100% great video keep it up

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Jarrod..The charcoal lights quickly and burns very hot. So gar ot's been working well.

[@sarah54471]

I was thinking the same exact thing.

[@simonessexhighlandsengland402]

Great video Rick, just came across it. Have just got permission to take timber from a local woodland, definitely going to make one of your charcoal kilns. Superb! BBQ's every day.

[@michaelskalin5126]

I'm old school smoked meats kinda guy. The wife hates when she goes into town and I ask her pick up more charcoal. She found this video and SAID make one. I'm just waiting for dark to try my first batch. I'm using hickory. Thank you for the video. I am hitting the subscribe button after reading some comments about your other builds. Thanks again 🇨🇦🥓🍻

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks and welcome to the channel!

[@kman5475]

I came across this video while looking for ways to build a retort-style pyrolyzation chamber. I definitely think recovering all that syngas (H2 and methane) is a smart choice, and I would be interested in seeing your take on how to do that! Just a friendly tip on charcoal-making: you can judge your final product by how it sounds. Well-carbonized, high-quality charcoal will sound "glassy" when you knock pieces of it together (or just when you're pulling pieces out after firing). If you make another video, could you include a clip letting us hear the final product?

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks for the tips and will include on next video - maybe this fall as I'm getting low and need to restock - Booyah!

[@5th_decile]

I think syngas is H2 and CO, I don't know why everyone keeps saying methane in stead of CO... Other than that: good thinking! Next level: try a setup where the heat released in the process has an economic use.

[@donaldg8420]

🤣🤣sorry kids dads on a mission. That’s universal.

[@charleshammer3466]

Excellent presentation. Thanks for explaining everything.

[@johnbradley5236]

Well done sir, great video (and band saw!).

[@traktorworks3200]

impressive vid. simple, straight forward and informative.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks!

[@skaslusky]

What will you think next? Mining Iron Ore? Well done.

[@RickRabjohn]

hahahahahah maybe panning for gold somewhere.....

[@stephendmello009]

This is the best video I have seen in making the charcoal.

[@unclebellys]

I like yours the best, I want to do this next year when we move to PA.

[@raterus]

When you panned the camera to the basketball net, I thought "Hey I have a junk one of those laying around, wish I could use that...". Then I saw you were actually using it and I was like "Score!"

[@RickRabjohn]

LOL - good minds think alike - good luck with your build!

[@ddandjandhandl]

Awesome!! Thanks for the video, love this design. Making it today

[@GarysBBQSupplies]

Straightforward. and to the point. Perfect! Thank you. :) I did see one design where the chimney was vented underneath the barrel adding heat to the fire underneath. Seemed like a good idea.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Gary - I may just need to try that approach - perhaps this fall -

[@jaimesan2609]

He mentioned that, but the slo-mo flames were a sight to see.

[@shaneroper477]

This is one of best examples of converting wood too charcoal I've seen on here. Along the same lines as how the Brits produce high quality carbon. Great results! I'll be trying this myself for bbqing or forging purposes. Well done!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Shane - really appreciate it!

[@ravieprasaud4527]

Wish you did it in day so we can see the process of the smoke. Great outcome tho

[@demonsluger]

This was a really good video as you didnt get lots of ash that ive seen in other videos because of the almost fully sealed container except the chimney for the fumes the result looked awesome

[@kipthecourtjester]

Pretty awesome, mate! I’m a new fan! Much appreciated.

[@jmoney6652]

You should use it in your garden, it’s amazing stuff.

[@RickRabjohn]

Good tip thank you!

[@Rahsaun77]

I would love to make my own lump charcoal like that, I can almost taste the ribs, pulled pork and brisket. I just need the space to be able to do it. Amazing results.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks for checking it out - now you got me hungry, :-))

[@planecrazyish]

Magnificent video! great footage.

[@chrisdellosa1139]

Rick you the man thanks for the video one of the best I have seen on making charcoal!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you Chris!

[@mrundead6438]

You can still hang the net up so no loss there everyone's a winner 😂😝

[@rbo350]

interesting Rick, I hope you are going to show us a bbq session to see proof of concept.....thanks

[@paulmoss7940]

Thanx,after looking at several,I think you have the best simple setup.Good explanation also. Cheers!

[@RickRabjohn]

thanks Paul

[@BrianWalsingham]

This is the simplest and most easily explainable method I’ve seen. Well done, Sir.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thanks Brian!! Appreciate that

[@prankster9899]

Rick Rabjohn Hi rick. I’ve made my burner the same as you. I have burnt it for 3 hour and the smoke has nearly stoped but it has not burnt of the gas I tried lighting it but still no flame. Do you know what I’m doing wrong. Hoping you can help Cheers Adrian

[@RobCardIV]

This video shows how to make your own charcoal including how I made a simple and cheap kiln to cook the wood and the steps used to make the charcoal; Booyah!

[@ProckerDark]

you can add a way to catch the hydrogen and methane by-product and store them in tanks and if you have a compressor, extract them later from storage tanks and compress them into empty propane cylinders and walla you got yourself coal and free gas from just wood, :)

[@redoakranch1783]

Procker Dark Walla isn’t a word, it’s Voila!

[@ProckerDark]

@@redoakranch1783 it's, according to me

[@David-cy5zu]

Simplier, you could just ignite that Gas and Save some wood for heating up

[@melroyel2235]

Nice simple design, like it!!! I grill a lot and making my own charcoal is the way to go and will save me money. my problem is I live in the suburbs so I have nowhere to burn the barrel without complaint. been trying to think of something small but efficient. This is great.

[@lookcreations]

Nicely done, well edited production. Thanks for sharing, All the best Mat

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you - apprciate that!

[@Barskor1]

If you wanted activated charcoal you can add a pipe to the bottom from a wallpaper steamer.

[@micahl6961]

what about the calcium chloride processing?

[@Barskor1]

@@micahl6961 That is not needed as superheated steam is making the pockets in the carbon structure rather than a hot chemical process as done by calcium chloride.

[@micahl6961]

@@Barskor1 do you have links to a diy build?

[@Barskor1]

@@micahl6961 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWHPmYysgL6kmtU or kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX-ulqOpa9V8l9E

[@account-ability_2583]

The two barrel method is what I use personally, as it is more efficient, uses much less fuel, and requires no fabrication. But nice job!

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you

[@michaelchitwood389]

I was going to use the primitive, earthen kiln method, so this vid saved me some work! I will do earthen for bread and pizza!

[@RickRabjohn]

Hahahahah - Thanks Michael!

[@ozarad6263]

Awesome great job. Learn from you something my parents didn't taught me that

[@mikekazz5353]

"Sorry kids, dad's on a mission" well at least it all paid out, plus he can still put the hoop and back board on the front of the garage.

[@RickRabjohn]

Exactly..thanks Mike :-)

[@NOBOX7]

This stuff is like gold but people dont know it , lol

[@joelowery1919]

NOBOX7 hell yea

[@vlvtopcat]

Nice job Rick.Awesome

[@metroplexchl]

best demo yet! great video

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you - I appreciate that a lot!

[@robot7759]

Doesn't want to be seen... builds a big fire in the dark 😂

[@RickRabjohn]

Yes - it's a good idea to dim the lights the more you age.......:-)

[@Projectoftheday]

Nice video Rick, but you have to stop making videos. I don’t have time to start all new things you make me start with. 🤪

[@RickRabjohn]

ha ha ha ha ha - I'n sorry my friend.......

[@clawinnz]

Thank You. A simple way to make Bulk Quality Charcoal. I am close to doing my 1st burn, using this method.

[@lot2many]

Way to go. That slow motion fire from the smoke stack was awesome.

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank You!

[@mattknauf3996]

sorry kids, you dad is on a mission and too cheap to buy a pipe from the hardware store.

[@RickRabjohn]

hahahahahahahah

[@joaoserra2511]

You made yourself a wood gasifier; why don't you also use that flammable gas? You could use it, for instance, in your kitchen, hatch, or to heat up your barrel and use less wood in the process. Nice way, thou- Thumbs up :)

[@RickRabjohn]

Thank you - I just might pipe that exhaust under the barrel so I use less wood to heat once all the water has passed - tks

[@jimprovan8866]

Or use to propel a rocket. Did you close the flap on the chimney when you went to bed?

[@RickRabjohn]

@@jimprovan8866 Yes Jim I did close the flap

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

I was going to suggest the same thing. Could drill 1" hole in stack and elbow down with black pipes to firebed.

[@olddanb1]

Excellent job. Thanks for posting. Viewed in England.

[@frankenz66]

I have a bunch of black hickory drying that I am going to give a try to charcoal next spring. Thanks!

[@ianhames2465]

why do people need to make charcoal, and in such quantities? Would it be better to burn the wood in a wood burning stove in your home and use the heat wasted out in the open?

[@bobadams8818]

Charcoal has many uses in gardening, soil remediation, plant growth, worm attraction, ph control, water purification, etc... 😊

[@curtis866]

Brilliant! My favourite video and method I have seen

[@bradmetcalf7832]

Best video out there on this subject!

[@migmagingenieria]

That is so cool. Thanks for sharing. Most people just don't understand how extremely useful and much better compared to firewood charcoal is....

[@RickRabjohn]

Great point! thanks Jose

[@eventhisidistaken]

Super simple setup...makes me want to get some welding supplies.

[@Dudesunperfect]

Unreal mate, thanks for the great tutorial. I’m an Aussie and they charge us so much for charcoal for a bbq, so this will be perfect for us to make our own. Going to utilise this method for sure. Cheers again

[@RickRabjohn]

Glad it helped