Thursday, December 21, 2006

Charcoal and wood vinegar

Here we are making charcoal and wood vinegar. These are both very useful materials and easy to obtain.


Charcoal has a multitude of uses, for example it is an excellent cooking fuel since it produces very little smoke for the amount of heat that it emits (and since many Asian people cook over a fire indoors, indoor air pollution can be a big problem). It can be ground up and added to soap to provide a gritty quality that’s good for scrubbing. Some Thai religious groups make and sell fruits and flowers baked into charcoal that are decorative and are used to absorb smells, like in your refrigerator. (Pi Jo says you can put a rose into the charcoal oven and it will come out completely intact – so you have a charcoal briquette that looks like a rose bloom.) And bamboo charcoal from the Kanchanaburi region of Thailand is sold all over the world for activated carbon used in water purifiers.

Wood vinegar is a by-product of charcoal making that also has several uses. It is a mild and non-toxic wood preservative – insects don’t like it so you can apply it to construction wood and it will keep the termites away. Also since insects don’t like it, it’s good for pest control in the garden. It can be diluted and added to compost as an activator, and has mild antiseptic properties that make it good for applying to cuts to encourage healing.

The way to make charcoal (and thus wood vinegar) is to burn a lot of wood with little oxygen. In this way it doesn’t really burn; rather, it bakes as the water and volatile organic compounds are driven off. The water and organics are condensed from the smoke and collected in liquid form – this is concentrated wood vinegar, which is diluted typically 1:1000 for application to plants, lumber, etc.

The apparatus we are using for a charcoal oven is an old discarded 55-gallon metal drum. The drum is laid on its side and insulated with adobe bricks and sand. We packed the drum full of cut wood and built a fire at the entrance of the drum. Smoke and heat are drawn by the long, slanting bamboo chimney into the drum. The fire at the opening of the drum is stoked for 1 – 2 hours, until the smoke coming out of the chimney changes from a thick darker smoke into a wispy, white smoke. The entrance of the drum is then sealed up with adobe bricks and mud.


The smoke travels up the chimney and water containing uncombusted organic molecules condenses near the top – this is the wood vinegar, which is collected through a small notch near the base of the chimney. (The spoon helps the liquid to collect and drip into a bucket). This design with a bamboo chimney is the simplest, although more efficient collection can be achieved using a cold-water condenser around the chimney.

Burning one drum-full of wood yields 1 – 2 liters of wood vinegar.

Gradually over a few hours the smoke will become even lighter and wispier. At this point, wood vinegar collection is discontinued and the chimney is sealed up to allow the wood in the drum to finish turning into charcoal (an overnight process).

Rural Thai people have used wood vinegar for a long time, but Pi Jo says now Monsanto has moved in and begun to market a commercial, patented formula. It’s just like Monsanto to take some technique that people have been doing forever and patent it and sell it back to the people for a profit. Then people gradually forget how to do it and end up becoming dependent on Monsanto to supply them with something they used to be able to make for themselves.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Josh, this is amazing. What is wood vinegar used for. I mean, you say "plants and lumber," but is it an insecticide, a fungicide? ~Brian

Anonymous said...

Hi Josh!I live in Mozambique and I´m working on a project about production of charcoal, wood vinegar and also tar, using an oven like the one you wrote about in the blog. This technique was brought to us by an woman of Thailand. We´re having some problems with the bambu chimney, because the heat makes it crack in some points, and the smoke escapes trought it. We also want to make a more easier to assemble oven, by redesigning the joining parts of the components. I would like to know if you are aware of any development related to this.
Sorry my bad english, but the oficial language in Mozambique is the portuguese, so I don´t usually write in english. :)
Thank you for your time.

Karina

Anonymous said...

viagra manufacturer natural herbs used as viagra cialis viagra buying viagra in uk viagra rrp australia generic soft tab viagra generic name of viagra viagra liver damage viagra for sale without a prescription free sample viagra buy viagra on line viagra and cannabis negative effects of viagra viagra covered by insurance

Anonymous said...

рецепты похудение вы всегда сможете скачать курсы английского языка
английский язык для начинающих если заболели Buy Levitra Online
скачать фильмы скачать фильм 2012

Anonymous said...

[url=http://satrise.ru/familiya/sitemap_0.html]происхождение фамилии[/url]
а также
[url=http://satrise.ru/]значение фамилии[/url]
а также
[url=http://znacheniie.ru/]происхождение фамилии[/url]
а также
[url=http://znacheniie.ru/sitemap_0.html]происхождение фамилии[/url]
мои сайты для вас
значение фамилии
а также
происхождение фамилии
а также
значение фамилии
а также
значение фамилии
а также
Посмотреть фильм онлайн бесплатно
[url=http://nasharussia3.rv.ua/]смотреть онлайн Наша раша Яйца судьбы [/url]
скачать фильм Наша раша Яйца судьбы
Посмотреть фильм онлайн бесплатно
Раздел - Онлайн: Видео фильмы онлайн мне бы в небо Скачать новый фильм мне бы в небо камерон Смотреть бесплатно фильм мне бы в небо 2010 Фильм мне бы в небо торрент Мне бы в небо фильм смотреть онлайн Фильм мне бы в небо скачать торрент Мне бы в небо фильм скачать без смс Премьера фильма мне бы в небо Скачать саундтрек к фильму мне бы в небо Мне бы в небо фильм Раздел - Онлайн: а также смотрите кинопремьера скоро
[url=http://nasharushakino.rv.ua/]скачать фильм Наша раша Яйца судьбы[/url]
смотреть онлайн Наша раша Яйца судьбы
Посмотреть фильм онлайн бесплатно вместе с семьей
Samsung lcd

Anonymous said...

http://markonzo.edu pistol http://www.ecometro.com/Community/members/ceftin-oral-tablet.aspx http://blog.tellurideskiresort.com/members/paxil-side-effects.aspx longworthn enayetullah http://profiles.friendster.com/levaquin#moreabout http://www.netknowledgenow.com/members/ativan-side-effects.aspx http://blog.tellurideskiresort.com/members/paroxetine-side-effects.aspx fulcrums comwebsite

Anonymous said...

singles adult holidays [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]best online dating male profile[/url] lake havasu personals http://loveepicentre.com/ ukpersonals

fantu❤ said...

This looks absolutely perfect. All these tinny details are made with lot of background knowledge. I like it a lot. This was a useful post and I think it is rather easy to see from the other comments as well that this post is well written and useful.
louis vuitton handbags damier
nd hand louis vuitton handbags
artsy mm louis vuitton handbags

Mark said...

The Android phones also can use many applications to enhance other areas of your life. The Android phone has the capability of doing almost anything you need it to. Going through the many applications can be an adventure, when you are trying to find the perfect applications for your phone. So to save you the journey here is a small list of must have Android applications.
best android apps

Unknown said...

I found your blog via google and it is exactly about my research topic i want some more interesting posts here hope you will keep me up to date.
term paper writing
outline term paper
college term papers

Just Friends said...

I am usually trying to find recognize the value of. This article awareness. on a regular basis

3D ultrasounds | 4d Ultrasounds

LydSunshine said...

Hi Josh.. May I translate this article to Malay and publish on my blog? :) - Waiting for your permission.

Melany Flemmings said...

Best of luck. Great and beautiful page I liked a lot. Thanks for a great time visiting your site.

palomar hotel los angeles

Sabra Allsbrook said...

Oh dear. Incredible writing style. i really liked the way you represent the content. Thanks my friend for this great information, I like your blog and i will try to visit your blog again.

luxury hotel in san diego

vimaxejaculation said...

Vimax Pills are specially Suplement adult men want to surprise Their partners by way of an instant, natural and safe for consumption. Verify the changes in your penis to look at the volume or a larger penis size Permanently, That so many men feel satisfied and confident about his penis Pills size.Vimax provide a significant change in 5 weeks will increase penis size 3-4 inches, increase blood flow so as to make long-lasting erections of male sexual arousal will increase by 100%, helping to stop premature ejaculation.

Kmucutie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kmucutie said...

very good article,
i am interested this . my need bamboo vinegar , my product is bamboo vinegar foot patch . thanks.

Unknown said...

Nice share,, your articles is very helpful for us

by Baju Anak

MALE ENHANCEMENT said...

very interesting!
post are very helpful, thank you for enlightenment.
I have bookmark your site.
thanks

Penis Enlargement Pills
Vimax Pills
Vimax Extender

Unknown said...


I Like your blog,will sharing this with my friends, excellent work.
business phone deals

Unknown said...

Nice Post Love Reading Its
tadalis 20 mg

Kamagra 100mg

generic Viagra 100mg

Ifa Fernandes said...

Jual Aneka jenis Obat Bius
Obat Bius yang kami jual adalah Obat Bius yang aman digunakan, tidak ada efek samping yang berkepanjangan.
Jika Anda berminat silahkan Klik Obat Bius Asli
Selain Obat Bius, Kami juga menyediakan Obat Tidur, Obat Penenang.
Info selengkapnya, silahkan Anda kunjungi website kami di www.obatbiushot.com

Ifa Fernandes said...

- Obat Pembesar Penis
- Obat Pembesar Alat Vital
- Obat Pembesar Zakar
- Cara Memperbesar Penis
- Tips Memperbesar Penis
- Teknik Memperbesar Penis

Unknown said...

PT. Antares Jaya Gemilang Prima (AJGP) is electrical, mechanical, instrumentation supplier and automation control system designer. Completed with professionalism, capability, knowledge and experience, AJGP always try to build good reputation and to satisfy its customer.

Website : http://www.pt-antares.com

Anonymous said...

It can be ground up and added to soap to provide a gritty quality that’s good for scrubbing. Some Thai religious groups make and sell fruits and flowers baked into charcoal that are decorative and are used to absorb smells, activated charcoal teeth whitening

james brownn said...

I am glad you take pride in what you write. This you stand way out from many other writers that push poorly written content.

pest control san antonio

Teddy Kinyanjui said...

We have been making in Kenya with a drum and a metal pipe- lots of applications for this stuff, when marketd correctly it is up to 5 times the price of the charcoal - blog post about making wood oil here - http://kenyacharcoal.blogspot.co.ke/2016/05/how-to-make-your-own-wood-vinegar-with.html

Unknown said...

Ndandisoyika kakhulu yaye sele siphanda Incanca Umfanekiso utyando ukuze iinyanga ezimbalwa. Ndagqiba ukufumana kokubonisana uGqirha Ogala kwaye Ndiyavuya ngoko ndenjenjalo. umsebenzi wakhe ikwenza uzive ukhululekile kakhulu yaye uGqr Ogala na ukuphendula yonke imibuzo yakho aze akunike ukuzithemba kwaye isiqinisekiso kufuneka ube nokholo ngokuba zihambe kakuhle ukuba inkqubo yakho. Ngoku sele ngenye ukususela inkqubo yam kwaye okwangoku Ndivuya kakhulu iziphumo zam. Mna ngokuqinisekileyo bacebisa Dr. Ogala. unako ukuzidibanisa kuye bakhokelelwe Email wakhe buqu kunye mobile: E-mail: holyspellcast1@gmail.com / holyspellcast@yahoo.com website :: http: //holyspellcast.wix.com/holyspellcast WhatsApp: +2348039456308

Anonymous said...


The only Male Penis Enlargement Cream has been used by men around the world supplement that has been PROVEN to-enlarge your penis – safely, quickly, and importantly – PERMANENTLY.Full Penis Enlargement Cream when used will Increase in penis length by 1-5 inches Increase in penis width by 20%helps in preventing Premature Ejaculation, Low sex drive, low libide, infertility Achieved longer, Rock hard erections All gains in penis length and width are 100% permanently Full Penis Enlargement Cream is also:100% Herbal, 100% Safest with no side effect and its of two types I have the one for enlargement and for reduction and your advised to use it by messag100% Satisfaction and Money Back Guarantee. Prophet Aluta , About my products i have herbal cream, Pills and oil 100% Permanently Guaranteed Resulting it on your body where you feel you want to reduce or enlarge which will help you to be strong and you get the desirable size you want-within 2-3days and when you get your desirable size you are advised to stop using it and the results you gain will remain permanently, contact Prophet Aluta on Email: ultimatespell666@gmail.com or Visit Website: https://rb.gy/zavk50

maria said...

Hello everyone here I want to share this testimony how Dr clement help me,i was having a small penis and weak erection problem. I can't make love to my wife for 5 minute and my penis was just too small a full grown man like me having 3 inches penis and to worsen it i don't last in bed i cannot even last 5 minutes it was really a thing of shame to me. My wife was really tired of me because i can not satisfy her,,i was always thinking and searching for a solutions everywhere and i came across a testimony of Mr LUCKY testifying that DR clement helped him to enlarge his penis,i decided to give him a try and to my greatest surprise in less than one week of using his herbal cream, my penis grow to 7 inches i couldn't believe my eyes and as i speak now my penis is now 11.5 inches and i do not have weak erection again. I can make love to my wife longer in bed. And my marriage is now stable,my wife now enjoy me very well in bed. You can contact him via allmightbazulartemple@gmail.com or call+2347051758952 Thanks for Enlarging my penis sir, you indeed save my marriage.I am really grateful sir.
Dr. clement can also cure all others of infection disease with herbal medicine list of my work
{1}HIV/AIDS
{2}DIABETES
{3}EPILEPSY
{4} CANCER
{5} HPV
{6} ASTHMA
{7} HEPATITIS
{8}LOVE SPELL
{9} MONEY SPELL
10 IMPOTENCE