After meeting Connor Lascelles, I decided to buy one of the kilns he recently designed, still somewhat prototype. I am intrigued by the clean burn technology and then the potential uses of resulting charcoal.

I'm still unclear in my mind about use of the term biochar. For me it's about charging the charcoal with microbes, hence my desire to add it in small quantities to our compost heaps, where it fills it's crystalline lattice structure with life.

As I understand it, the charcoal made with this burn process has a very open and crystalline structure, which enables more of other materials to be held inside.

If fresh charcoal like this is spread on the ground, initially it will absorb a lot of microbes and perhaps nutrients in some form. I reckon it needs charging first.

I have no commercial interest in Earthly Biochar. Connor and I don't agree about all of this.
See what you think!

00:00 Introduction by Connor Lascelles, one of the founders of Earthly Biochar
00:24 Connor explains how the kiln helps to remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, and then how the charcoal can be used as a soil amendment
00:58 The kiln, and how it fits together
01:32 Important tips on safety when using the kiln
02:00 A ‘tour’ of the kiln, with explanation of the components
02:26 The importance of the wind protector/flame concentrator for preventing smoke production
02:47 Reasons for not producing smoke – environmental
03:18 Using the chimney for cooking
03:32 ‘Feed stock’ to burn on the kiln, eg wood chip - what type to use and why, and how to prepare it for the kiln
05:05 Or using kindling (and how this helps with biodiversity)
05:31 Adding the feed stock, using wood chip to demonstrate, and getting it ready for for burning with firelighters
07:55 Connor demonstrates how to light it using a blow torch
10:05 Putting on the flame concentrator, and explanation of how it works in relation to air flow, and then how this produces charcoal with a clean burn and no escape of methane
13:39 The importance of using dry feed stock
14:41 A look at the fire, and the importance of an even burn for preventing smoke and methane
15:10 What to do if the kiln does start to produce smoke
15:34 How long the process takes, and ways to use the heat
16:43 A look at the size and colour of the flame, what this tells us and when to quench the flame
18:16 Using a temperature gun to see how far the burn has progressed downwards
19:26 Connor demonstrates how to quench the fire with water from a watering can
23:40 A look at the charcoal that has been created
24:57 How to empty the kiln after use
26:39 Ideas for how to enliven the charcoal by adding to a compost heap
27:03 How the charcoal can be used with kitchen compost caddies, to reduce the smell!
27:30 Connor explains how he came to design the kiln and start his business

Connor and his partner Lottie Hawkins run Earthly Biochar, who make and sell the kilns, and sell charcoal/biochar. http://www.earthlybiochar.com/

See my woodchip video for more ideas on using wood to improve our soils    • Unlocking the Potential of Wood Chips...  

Music for this video is from "Homeacres" by Jacqui Vincent, listen here, download for £1 https://jacquivincent.bandcamp.com/tr...

Filmed at Homeacres no dig garden 26th February by Nicola Smith, edited by Alessandro Vitale @SpicyMoustache

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