How To Make Biochar In A Burn Barrel. The smaller parts will be used in the planting bed, the larger ones returned to the next burn. Fill smaller barrel with feed stock (what you wish to turn into biochar.) step two:
Fill smaller barrel with feed stock (what you wish to turn into biochar.) step two: This is the chemical process which occurs in material which contains carbon (such as wood) when it is heated with minimal oxygen. We made tlud stoves out of soup cans and developed a rubric to evaluate the charcoal.
Two years ago, i taught my 7th grade class how to make biochar using the instructional materials found here.
The secret is in the upward and outward sloping walls of the kiln, that force secondary air to build up. One side of the retort (bottom barrel), take a shovel full of dirt and block off some of the holes. You can make biochar at home on a micro scale by digging a trench or hole and putting a mixture of dry wood and dried plant materials such as sweetcorn stalks or perennial weeds and roots into it. You can also make biochar in a burn barrel.