Charcoal from Carabao and Cow Dung, Coconut Shell and Corn Cob

Coconut Shell Charcoal

There are many ways of charcoal making, but the simplest so far is the use of drum. The method modified by the Forest Products Research and Industries Development (Los Baños) are the following:

Charcoal from Carabao and Cow Dung, Coconut Shell and Corn Cob
Materials:

Ordinary drum (5.5 galon capacity)
Chimney on top
Opening on top
sets of air ventilation, 1 foot apart with ½ inch holes equally distributed around the drum (to obtain even burning)
rounded wood 4 inches in diameter
rag to be ignited from the bottom

Procedure:

1. Place rounded wood at the center of the drum.
2. Arrange coconut shells around it until it is covered.
3. Remove the chimney and ignite the rag at the bottom.
4. When the fire is well underway, cover the drum and place the chimney.
5. Feed additional shells when the charge shells have shrunk.
6. The process of charcoal making starts at the bottom going upward and at the middle going out. At the beginning of charcoal making, the holes and air ventilation at the bottom are open.
7. When the oven is heated continuously until the desired temperature is reached, peep holes are closed and the second set of holes are opened.
8. The closing of peep holes and opening of new air ventilation continues until charcoal making is completed.
9. Carbonization is completed when thin smoke comes out and becomes bluish.
10. Cover all the holes until the drum gets cool. Charcoal yield is about 30%

Charcoal from Carabao and Cow Dung

Procedure:

1. Mix in one pail or container: 1 part rice hull, 6 parts fresh carabao or cow dung (or horse)
2. Place weight in mixture to remove excess water.
3. Pour in molds with both ends open (to remove easily when it gets hard).
4. Remove from molds and dry under the sun for three to four days.

Charcoal from Corn Cob

Materials: Corn cob, drum of 200 liter capacity, water sprinkler or can

Procedure:

1. Place corn cobs about 1/3 of the drum and put fire until smoke is gone.
2. Place again 2/3 drum of corn cobs and burn until smoke disappear.
3. When smoke stops, remove the contents of the drum.
4. Water the corn cobs until the fire is put off.
5. Lay the corn cobs on the ground and let the drum dry.
6. Separate the charcoal from the ashes.
7. Keep in a container

Source: Ang Kilusan, Nov 1-15, 1982, Teknotulong