21 replies to this topic

[Rhodri]

Might be news to some but not all.

I had a lot of old dry bramble bush cuttings in the garden. They've been there since last September.

A while ago I took quite a lot into the a garage to dry out.

Being curious I made some charcoal out of the tubualr stems outside in an old tin.

A fantastic 'bramble smoke' smell evolved and I harvested the charcoal.

A very small yield of C was made, compared to the amount of bush and stems used, and was very light. I'd say on a par with Balsa C.

Made up 10g of BP using the bramble C.

Excellent BP! I'd say on a par with Willow but 'brighter'.

I have many more cuttings in the garage that I'm going to turn into bramble C.

Mad I know but it IS good C.

I've read about Grape Vine and the like - I guess this bramble C isn't too far off. Must have a high H:O ratio.

Try it - you'd be surprised.

Any comments?

[adamw]

Yes I'd imagine the performance of charcoal made from thin 'spindly' plants compares similarly. How did you put them in the can? Chop them up or just cram a handful in? If you get really tough on the bamble then you can fit a lot in.

[bernie]

Perhaps our esteemed leader can enlighten us all on the subject. Richard, do you have anything to add?

[Rhodri]

Hi Adam

The bramble stems were so dry that it was easy to break up. Wore gloves 'cos there are still some of those nasty thorns there.

'Stuffed' the tin with quite a lot - didn't weigh the amount so I don't know how much. The material is of such low density that I could compact a considerable amount into the tin.

I didn't use the leaves etc. - made sure that I used only the thick tubular stems.

Roasted for about 30 minutes.

The smell was fantastic!

[Edited on 13-5-2003 by Rhodri]

[pyrotrev]

Anyone tried holly for charcoal? We've just cut down half a dozen trees in the field that the divisional store's in, and I was wondering whether there was any appropriate use we could put it to.

[Pyromaster2003]

iv got some holly ready to make into charcoal once the weather improves a bit for the firewood. let you no how it goes.

[Matt]

oh yea well i have half a bucket full of grapevine all cut up and ready to be cooked

[Robbie414]

Well I have a whole forest of Willow growing behind my house, and four incinerators each holding 5 catering size nescafe tins ready for all of those lovely willow chippings that the kind elvish forest folk will chip and dry for me in exchange for some black 'fairy dust' that doubles up as goblin burner!.....damn those mushrooms!

[Matt]

[Rhodri]

Are you sure you're not the new Waltham Abbey?

[Pyromaster2003]

rite, i made my holly charcoal so il make some H3 and BP tomorow and let you no what happens.

[bernie]

They send it right to your doorstep:P

[Matt]

Ive noticed that alot of people use H3. i am curious as to what your sources of KClO3 are. Ive heard its easier to get than KClO4 but I still havnt heard of where to get it apart from pyro suppliers. When you try to get it sent all the way to australia the cost ends up being through the roof

[pyrotrev]

Matt: Scientific and Chemical supplies (www.scichem.co.uk) list it. I've not bought it from them, but I've had no problem ordering other chemicals through my company, though that wasn't fro pyro use.:bounce:

[Pyromaster2003]

the holly charcoal work pretty well but not as good as willow. burns violently and pretty quick.

what other chem have you bought from scientific and chemical suppliers and did you ring them or e-mail?