Making Biochar With Kon-Tiki Kiln

Ward demonstrates how he makes biochar, from waste forest wood, using a Kon-Tiki kiln.

[@lourivaldantasfagundes5119]

Great project!!! I'm from Brasil and I have been making researchs with biochar for some years

[@wreay2240]

Thank you for your video. Would it make sense to pack some wood between the cone and the outer metal to create even more char?

[@kathrynnewsom765]

Ward says that that sounds like a good plan!

[@wassanherawan1030]

I've seen many people do it and you're the only one who thought really well and was the most safe. I like what you do I'm thinking of using it in my country. May I have your permission to use your idea?Please🙏🏻can you tell me about this in detail how wide the tank is, how deep it is, and how many millimeters of steel it's?

[@kathrynnewsom765]

Ward is happy that you found the video useful. This is not his original kiln design or idea, so you are welcome to give it a try. It is open source information. It is our hope that others will join us in making biochar on a small-scale basis.

[@lawrencelawrence3920]

Thanks for the video. Curious to know in what part of BC that you live in because i live in Southern BC also.

[@Hedgehodge-]

wish i could find this to buy or what gauge and type of metal is used and then ill have my welder buddy make it for me

[@julieelliott-eickenroth7317]

I loved watching your process, thank you for sharing! This is similar to an idea I have had, it was so helpful to see this. We have a large burn barrel on our farm (approx 3-4' wide, 3-3/5' high; it was here already when we moved here). I would love to have a tiki cone made to drop down into it, maybe either with support legs like you have to stand inside it, or have hooks welded to the rim to hang inside from the top of the barrel ... sort of the reverse of what you have, but similar idea ... space between the sides of the barrel and the cone, and there's already a rectangular hole cut at the bottom of the barrel that would allow air in like a draft, and also be where access to the water valve at the bottom of the cone could be. Do you think that would work? What kind of metal is the tiki cone made of? Is it steel?

[@kathrynnewsom765]

Hi Julie. Thanks for your comments and questions. Ward thinks this should work but it's hard to say if the hole in the bottom of your burn barrel will allow in enough air. If the hole is too small compared to the space/gap between the kiln and barrel, it may restrict the air flow. His kiln is made from steel and he believes it was 14 gauge (can't remember for sure...possibly 16). It was as heavy as he could manage to bend. Lighter gauges of steel will warp more.

[@julieelliott-eickenroth7317]

@@kathrynnewsom765 It’s so kind of you to reply and please thank Ward for sharing his thoughts and experience! The hole at the bottom of our burn barrel is rectangular, approx 12”w X 8”h at least (I think, I’ll measure it when I get home). After looking at your video and observing the gap at the bottom of the barrel, though, I could also dig out around the bottom of barrel (it already has a moatlike ditch around the bottom) and lift it up onto blocks. I would think that would be sufficient to create lots of airflow?

[@cody481]

Nice setup if you aren't going to make burnible charcoal.

[@mandiegarrett1706]

Where did you buy this kiln?

[@kathrynnewsom765]

Ward made it. He cut and welded a sheet of steel.

[@tbo6977]

In such a process the ash content is high while the carbon content is low