Speaking of old cans, does anyone have an old empty can I can have? Dents are ok, but can’t have any holes (or not many bad ones anyway). I want to make charcoal.
Depending on how much you’re trying to make, the ‘large’ tuna-fish cans are great for doing this while you’re running your BBQ.
Using tin foil for a lid?
I have one of those side cut can openers so the top fits back on nicely. Poked a small vent hole and put it right back over the top.
Here’s Grant Thompson’s “How to Make Charcloth in a Tuna Can”. http://instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-Char-Cloth-With-A-Tuna-Can/
I realise its not quite charcoal, per se, but sounds like Ian used a similar process.
1 Like
You know, every time Lampy posts something about fireworks, I’m overwhelmed with the desire to make cool explosions.
Hey Guys,
I’m going to ask Lisa to pull your conversation into another thread. I think it is a fun topic, but is a wild tangent from the OP and would be easier to find on the forum under it’s own thread. PS, I need to hit up Blake and make some charcoal soon. 
1 Like
Sorry for the delay y’all… I was on vacation… 
… now back to regularly scheduled programming… 
Thanks Lisa,
So about 5 months back, Ken and Blake put on a class making balsa charcoal for pyrotechnics. I think we had about 6 people show up and we showed Blake’s Charcoal machine. Just a large pot with a lid and a propane burner. Would you guys like me to get Blake out again for another class?
2 Likes
Sounds like an old pressure cooker would be ideal - seals tightly and the small hole prevents much air from getting in. If you needed to let more air in you tap a small hole into it with valve.
Having never actually made charcoal not sure if any of these suggestions are useful … more of “User” as in BBQ/Smokers.
1 Like
The challenge with an old pressure cooker is what to replace the gasket with. I’m sure that the factory gaskets won’t survive the temperature.
My pressure canner does not use gaskets. It I a metal to metal seal.
1 Like
Any steel can work depending on how much you need to make in one batch.
A good discussion of a couple types are here. Scroll down to Top-Lit Updraft Gasifier (TLUD) and you will find what we use for making charcoal for fireworks. Most are static devices and do not have a blower as shown in some of the designs. I have a PDF I can share with you personally but since it’s from a paid site I can’t just upload it to the wiki.
A great sites for fireworks is Fireworking.com and Passfire.com. Both are paid sites but have some general info.
How high would the temp typically get? May be some sealants that could be used to form a gasket. Since it doesn’t have to be totally airtight just the weight of lid on the pot may seal it enough.
If you have a supply of them, you can use fire bricks to build a protected cube inside a wood fire that you can use to make charcoal as well. It has the added benefit of not risking the creation of a heated pressure vessel.