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Thread: Rolling coal

  1. #1
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    Default Rolling coal

    As some of you know, I went on a quest to find good quality lump charcoal I liked a few years back. Everything either sucked or was high (I grill a lot). What I liked, they quit making (Argentinian stuff). I tried my hand at it and it went well, but summer charcoal making ain’t fun. I bricked up this fire pit with a 50 gallon syrup kettle that was taking up space on the patio a couple years back. The bowl shape keeps the heat pushed towards the barrel and the cast iron is basically becomes a burner itself. The part I didn’t care for was making “chunks” I wanted to make coal out of. My BIL bought a commercial firewood processor that has plenty of scraps, so that issue is solved. This is the 2nd run of the year, a mix of oak and cherry I picked out from larger chunks. 4 runs ought to last me all year, but I’ll make a extra run or two to give away. I’ll quit feeding the fire in 4 hours and should be able to take the lid off tomorrow afternoon.

    B3BC023C-970E-4369-A3C0-CB82F03D61E7.jpg
    8EDA4A69-6606-4DC3-8B18-663C8B6B78F6.jpg
    Last edited by SaltMuck; 01-15-2023 at 02:49 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

  2. #2
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    That is neat to see.

    Very interested to see the finished product.

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    Got a buddy who does it. He does the same thing kinda. He loads up a drum and puts it inside another larger drum and burns a fire between them.
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  4. #4
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    the smaller, unsuitable for grillin, patricles are good for the garden too.
    Last edited by DoubleSprig; 01-15-2023 at 05:22 PM.


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  5. #5
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    Very nice.

  6. #6
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    Looks like a good way to have a fire and accomplish a task. Look forward to seeing the finished product.


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  7. #7
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    Yep. In for the after photos. What kinda lid do you have for that drum, locking ring? How tight a seal does it need?

  8. #8
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    Looks like a cinder block seal


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    Quote Originally Posted by CurLee View Post
    Yep. In for the after photos. What kinda lid do you have for that drum, locking ring? How tight a seal does it need?
    Locking ring lid, no lock. Just a block on top to get a decent closure. Once the wood inside gets hot enough, it’ll steam hard, probably hard enough to steam oysters. You’ve got to get it sealed well, but not so tight the gases can’t escape. Too much pressure and the lid will remove itself. The first time I tried it was with a locked lid and an open bunghole. Put a brick to mostly cover the hole. Once it got hot, the gas inside blew the brick 10 ft or so in the air. I’ve found the lid sitting on top with a block works well.

    After 2-3hrs, the impurities in the wood begin to volatilize into flammable gas. At that point, load up wood and let it ride. Light them and watch til they stop burning. Depending on the species, the flammable gases will last 30 min to 1.5hrs. Don’t peek in or open the lid til the barrel has cooled completely the next day. Opening the lid with hot charcoal will instantly cause it to combust. Found out the hard way a couple years ago.
    Last edited by SaltMuck; 01-15-2023 at 08:10 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

  10. #10
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    Nice. Following and will be trying this

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    Is there a hole drilled in that syrup kettle to let the water drain out?

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    Now that is BADASS! New Project for me! Thanks
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    Thanks for posting this. Ive read about how they would clear acres of old growth forest in Appalachia and build mounds of split wood, cover with earth, burn for three days then cap and let smolder for a week to make charcoal. I've been wanting to downsize that method but this seems way more suitable for backyard use!

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    Quote Originally Posted by GMAC View Post
    Is there a hole drilled in that syrup kettle to let the water drain out?
    No, planned to, but decided against it in case I wanted to cook in it or scald a hog one day. Got a dude working on making a lid now.
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

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    My way burns more wood, but nets way more compared to a 20/30 gallon drum inside a 55 gallon drum. Plus we spend a lot of time by the fire pit anyway so the charcoal is a bonus.
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

  16. #16
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    Nice fire pit. Cool project

    Bourbon and water?

  17. #17
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    All done. The very large oak pieces and the cherry didn’t 100% turn to charcoal, but pretty close. I normally don’t run stuff this big and my first time running cherry. And extra hour of cooking would have done the trick, but it’s close enough to grill with.

    D8A04DDF-110C-4122-9456-0986188A804F.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by ecu1984 View Post
    Go Tigers!

  18. #18
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    That's cool
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    Amazon delivers my pellets to the house, but I'll come over and watch it burn and drink your likker with you.....
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  20. #20
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    Is there a risk of over cooking or can you cook the wood too long?
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