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Batch 2 - 4 x 75 liters


My biochar factory is getting slightly more sophisticated.

In order to block the prevailing wind, I put an old wagon covering frame up and tie-wired a couple of sheets of metal roofing to the side. It seemed to work okay.

I made the mistake of not ensuring that the entire surface of the biomass was ready for lighting. Only one end caught fire, which allowed the un-fired end to turn into a draft that fed oxygen below the fired side.

After about 20 minutes, I was able to get a short layer of fire right across the surface, but I imagine I lost about 40 kg of biomass doing so. Lesson learned.

There was still a few unburnt branches today. I didn't bank any soil or gravel around the barrel, but I figured the sheet metal wind blocker would help. It didn't.

I'll have to get a pile of dirt with the skidsteer for the next batch.

I'm almost out of prepared biomass, so I'll have to start collecting more tomorrow.

I have a nice 75 liter garbage can that I'm using as a measuring cup. On the first day, I had 3 full garbage cans which turned out to be 225 liters of biochar from my first batch.

Today, I managed to get 4 full garbage cans, or 300 liters of biochar cooked.



Total to date, 525 liters.



Princess Auto is having a sale on these garbage cans, so I think I may buy a handful tomorrow or sometime soon. They're very handy when emptying the barrel. They might also be a good way to sell the biochar. $1/liter plus $30 deposit for the can. $105 per 75 liter with can.

If someone wants to bring their own container, it's just $1/liter for biochar. Easy peasy.

I can make a living with that.



I ordered a Greenworks 80V chainsaw yesterday. That'll come in handy. I already have a Shindaiwa chainsaw, which is probably the best tool I've ever owned, but I don't like smelling like a refinery after cutting down a bunch of trees.

Since we already have a Greenworks 80V self-propelled lawnmower with two 5 amp batteries, the $199.99 price for the bare chainsaw seemed like a pretty good deal. The reviews on it are good too.

It will be a little heavier than the Shindaiwa, but I'm getting a little stronger making biochar anyway, so it should even out...eventually.

It's gonna be great to bring a saw in the woods and just push a button to start it instead of all that cord yanking. It'll be nice and quiet as well.

If it sucks, I'll just return it to Costco for a full refund. Isn't Costco great?


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