Hi guys sorry I haven't posted for quite a while as I forgot my password but ive sorted that out. Ive still been browsing about and enjoying the forum posts here from members. I have a question about "charcoal" or more specifically the feasibility about making it for an old guy who is short on money and is not in the best shape to be picking up splits as he is getting weak in his hands. Ive thought about making it and bagging it up in stove size brown paper bags that he can just put in the stove easily. Sort of like opening the door placing the bag inside and the remaining coals in the bottom the stove igniting it. as this is lighter it would be easier on him while still giving him the benefit of the type of heat that wood gives. I was just going to make charcoal out of roughly 4 US cords out of my stash and give it to him next season bagged up and ready to go. What are the downsides? - Could it screw up his stove because it may burn too hot all time? - How much "waste" is there converting wood into charcoal this way? - Is it a stupid idea and I should just help him out financially connecting a gas heater at his house? - Overnight burn downside? Are there any more upsides? - Lighter to carry - Easy to load stove - Less storage space needed. - Only need a little light kindling for cold start which is feasible for him in his condition. Your thoughts? and also ive never done this before so would need some advice if I go ahead.
Shooting from the hip here: lots of waste, lots of time in bagging, long burns impossible. Would it not be best to simply make the splits extra small? Good on you for doing this!
He's got arthritis so even the small ones may not be ideal. With what you've said im now leaning towards perhaps pellet stove and just cut the bag size down so he can fill it up. He has heated with wood since a kid so it may be a good compromise compared to gas heating.
making charcoal on any type of production scale is going to be time consuming and waste a ton of wood. My buddy makes small batches for his pyrotechnic hobby - he uses a 5gal metal bucket w/lid fills with small splits and poke a small nail sized hole in the top, then build a fire around the bucket. The gases escaping from the hole will ignite and burn until you have nothing but charcoal left. Remove from fire stick the nail back in the hole and allow to cool. Pellet stove sounds much more feasible
Pellet stove sounds like a good idea to me. Turning 4 cords of wood into charcoal will be a huge task. And storing those bags may be difficult
