rogeryermaw Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) We should take a class from this guy. We really make tlud too complicated. Edited June 17, 2017 by rogeryermaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 For those who want to see how wood was charcoaled for BP when BP was the established military propellant have a look at https://royalgunpowdermills.com/shop/RGM-Historic-Reprint-Series It's the UK's prime museum of Black Powder and other propellants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeighborJ Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 This method of making charcoal is nearly identical to the one I saw featured on an episode of "how it's made". The show exhibited the use of coconut husks to make grilling charcoal in a mud brick TLUD. I recall as a teen visiting colonial Williamsburg and seeing a blacksmith making charcoal in a trench covered with green branches and leaves then topped with dirt. I can't say that any of these methods are easier than our retort cans or TLUD cooker but it sure does make a lot of charcoal at once if your willing to put in the hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogeryermaw Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 I was just impressed by how we agonize over the right materials, perfect surface area and count of air holes etc. He piles wood, packs mud around it, digs a few holes a go! Seems it worked quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsroom Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Now if only getting the rest of the supplies were as cheap and being self reliance as he is at making charcoal. Oh well............. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeighborJ Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Oh Pat it is nice to know these teqniques but I feel fortunate to not need to use them. I'd like to try my hand at harvesting all the raw ingredients for BP from my surroundings at least once in my life. I'm certain it wouldn't be as good as modern pure ingredients but it would be functional and give a sense of self reliance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldMarine Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Oh Pat it is nice to know these teqniques but I feel fortunate to not need to use them. I'd like to try my hand at harvesting all the raw ingredients for BP from my surroundings at least once in my life. I'm certain it wouldn't be as good as modern pure ingredients but it would be functional and give a sense of self reliance.Do you happen to have a resident volcano or sulphur spring nearby? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeighborJ Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Haha,no Patric last time I checked there are no volcanos in Pittsburgh. I do have a abandoned coal mine nearby with high sulfur content in the coal but have not yet found a way to extract it, nor do I want to go poking around a long abandoned mine. I'll keep my eyes open for other potential sources, we do have high sulfer content in our well water but I'm sure it would take an awful lot to produce a usable amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogeryermaw Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 a more usable approach would be to calcine sulfur bearing minerals in a sealed retort. they are pretty much everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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