Here is a list of char-making references, organised by type of design. The list combines previous links from this thread with other research. The list is restricted to items that convey at least some idea of the actual method / equipment used. Hopefully readers can judge the approach they could most easily adopt.
Simple technologies for charcoal making (FAO Forestry series) several designs: earth pits, earth mounds, brick kilns, metal kilns; well done UN!
How to Make Drawing Charcoal 3 designs (scroll for 2 & 3), DIY; for small quantities
English Charcoal, environment, history and woodmanship 2 designs; metal ring kiln; retort with gas feedback
ClayArt Archives charcoal method earth pit, DIY only briefly described
La Purisma Mission (find "pit is dug") earth pit, DIY only briefly described
Charcoal clamp earth mound, DIY
Mycroft In Flight Magazine (find "charcoal") barbeque firegrate, DIY
David G Mills
posting 1,
posting 2 metal can, DIY
Making Charcoal from Sugar Cane Leaves metal can, DIY only briefly described
A Charcoal Cooker metal pot, DIY
Top Five Things to Do With Oil Barrels When There's No More Oil To Fill Them oil drum, DIY
Making your own charcoal oil drum, DIY
Allotment Forestry local charcoal oil drum, DIY; scroll down for detailed instructions
How to build a small charcoal kiln oil drum, DIY
Charcoal Making at Home oil drum, skilled DIY
Fayette charcoal kiln permanent brick kiln
Convert Wood into Charcoal & Electricity permanent brick kiln, skilled DIY; char + fuel
Making charcoal and preserving wood metal oven; char + gas (used for preservation); some smoke containment
Flexi portable charcoal kiln metal ring kiln
Bramley Frith charcoal burning metal ring kiln; also a classic picture of smoke emissions
Charcoal burn metal ring kiln
Making Charcoal and
Charcoal Retort retort with gas feedback; skilled DIY from 2 oil drums
Scott Bidstrup (find "efficient charcoal") solar furnace, skilled DIY, no evidence of use
Solar Parabolic Trough Charcoal Oven solar furnace, skilled DIY, account of prototype trial, no charcoal as of Jan 2007
BEST Pyrolysis, Inc. low-emission kiln; char + gas + heat (possibly low char yield to favour gasifier)
Carbon Diversion pressure vessel; high speed, high yield
Additions welcome
M
