prodigal_sun Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 Has anyone ever tried using pine straw to make charcoal? Not for BP, but I am wondering if it would contain the same amount of resin that pine wood does, thus making it a good charcoal for stars. Any thoughts?
mormanman Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 I don't think this would work but a good question (I think).I don't think it would work b/c its too thin. I have tried using saw dust and it just burnt right up. It might work. I say give it a try.
Mumbles Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 There is a composition known as cocoa powder. It is formed from incomplete combustion of hay to a brown color. It is said to burn pretty hot, but you'd have to do more research into it.
psyco_1322 Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Ummm straw is usually made from wheat stocks. Pine trees dont have straw. I think your talking about pine needles. As far as making charcoal id say its not going to be any better than pine wood, since its essentaily the same thing. I seen a comp for cocoa powder and it was just basically bp made wityh rye charcoal. It was in the big comp file. Made some and it didnt burn any different from bp. I even used rye charcoal.
prodigal_sun Posted July 27, 2007 Author Posted July 27, 2007 Well, even if it came out the same as pine wood, it would cook quite a bit faster. I am thinking I might try it just to see. I remember reading a very old article about cocoa powder. The French used it and claimed that it was somewhat more sensitive than BP. They would press it into pellets for rifles and said that it was not uncommon for it to spontaneously ignite while being carried in burlap sacks. I cant see how this could be true, as its just made with half baked charcoal, but whatever.
moonshot Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 The first BP I made was using charcoal made from dry fir cones. Try using the dry pine cones rather than the needles. It will be resinous but should work well for charcoal stars and propellant. If you do use pine needles pack your cooker solidly full of needles and cook them for a short period of time.It shouldn't take long to charcoalise them. Then sift them through a screen to get a uniform mesh of charcoal.
psyco_1322 Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 Ya but if it cooks faster its not because there smaller or anything, its becuase theres less "wood" there. A can of pine needles can cook faster than a can of wood chunks but they are going to yield you as much charcoal. But I would try the cones like moonshot suggested. The outsides will cook fast but the center might take some time. Ever tryed newspaper? Its ok at speed and is amazing how much you can pack in a can.
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