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RE: Free Retort Makes the Cleanest Biochar

in #biochar7 years ago

At first I was confused as to how you lit the fire in the paint can, until the end when I realized you stick the whole thing in there! Interesting.. so you don't even directly ignite the materials. So if I understand correctly you make vent holes and then you put the lid on top? What is the reason for the lid if you don't mind me asking? And how do you ensure that the escaping gases from the can are directed downward? Thanks for humoring my newbie questions

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The reason for the lid is that you don't want a lot of oxygen. Otherwise the material will continue to burn and turn into ash.
It's not always easy or necessary to direct the gases downward but if the gases/smoke don't ignite, it doesn't feed the fire and just makes it more smoky. With a big fire it's not really a problem.

Thanks for that info.. I am now more informed about making biochar!