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Bobosan's Blog

A blog by Bobosan in General

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Beautiful day to cook some wood.

Bobosan

Entry posted by Bobosan

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Looks like I'll try this blog thing out.

 

It was a gorgeous day so decided to cook some Paulownia using the old retort method with kettle grill and briquets. I wanted a fresh batch of external heat retort cooking of Paulownia charcoal for burn speed testing vs. Paulownia cooked with the TLUD method. TLUD will cook any size or shape of wood but maybe a bit too much. I found that using TLUD on Paulownia produces charcoal that is structurally weak and falls apart easily when removed from retort. It's still charcoal but not the same result as traditional retort cooking. With the traditional retort method, the charcoal sticks are stronger in structure retaining basic original shape but still cooked throughout. They are light and "ting" when struck together. The TLUD sticks did not exhibit these same qualities at all. MrB has pointed out that too much of the wood volatiles are cooked off using the TLUD cook. Do these same volatiles contribute to the strength of the charcoal product and TLUD indeed overcooks the larger Paulownia sticks?

 

Using chunks or sticks of wood in the TLUD results in longer cook time (20-30 mins) as well as higher heat. This probably causes volatiles to be burned off before all the wood is completely cooked at the bottom of retort. Going to find someone who has a power plane and make some Paulownia shavings and try TLUD with those. When using pine shavings, the cook is very quick (5-6 mins.) and consequently, the total heat is lower and the end charcoal is structurally sturdy. Paulownia shavings may produce a stronger charcoal similar to pine shavings in TLUD and less volatile burnoff.

 

Going to switch over to BP production in the coming nice days and make batches using the TLUD vs. traditional retort Paulownia charcoal. I'm thinking I will find the TLUD Paulownia to be inferior but it needs testing with the chronograph.

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5 Comments

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BurritoBandito

BurritoBandito 123

Posted

Curious as to what your results were?
Bobosan

Bobosan 115

Posted

So far, and in my opinion, TLUD cooking has only been acceptable for use with shavings, pinecones and mulch type woods. Anything thick and solid develops higher heat and longer cook times which tend to break the charcoal down by cooking off more of the volatiles. I'm currently working with some red cedar mulch and cedar animal bedding. Once I get enough charcoal, I do a BP mill with that charcoal. Haven't done any testing yet, still producing. :)
experienced

experienced 0

Posted

Have any of you considered using, spent coffee grounds or used tea leaves?

pyrojig

pyrojig 43

Posted

Wonderful!!!!

I was wondering when someone would step up to the plate to blog about the different techniques in cooking CH.

I have been cooking mine for the last 8+ years . I have only done the traditional method . I wondered what the performance diff would be via diff. types of cooking. Almost made a TLUD for my self. But it ended up being a barrel for holding coals to cook a retort in it( 12 qt) Is the TLUD worth making and using ? What is the CH like produced from it? Is it still rich with fuel ? OR does it seem less effective and show loss of power in BP or RP?

Scienceguy

Scienceguy 1

Posted

Hello Group,

I have been dabbling in the black art of fireworking off and on going on 45 years now and always made my own BP. Due to necessity I always tried to use what I had on hand so making my own charcoal was and is a no brainer for me. With the recent legalization of fireworks in this state I have had a resurgence of interest in the hobby and as of late have made a lot of my charcoal in my woodstove with pine and fir sawdust I get for free from my local sawmill. I am a little ignornant of the TLUD method but I just pack sawdust into a paint can and throw it in the woodstove (of course it is vented).and this seems to make a good grade although I have yet to compare it with commercial airfloat, it performs very well in Tiger willow and steel cut stars to date. Curious to see other list members opinion of white pine charcoal and how it might stack up against other varities of wood.

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