Biochar can be used to improve soil condition. It loosens the soil, improving aeration, water retention, and making it conducive for beneficial soil micro organisms. Has anyone seen where bio-char have been used? Has anyone tried using it? If so what results did you get?
I used charcoal to grow scent leaves. It did well but unfortunately, I didnt compare it to know how well wrt control.
I used charcoal to grow scent leaves. It did well but unfortunately, I didnt compare it to know how well wrt control.
Yes! I ran a side-by-side trial last rainy season—maize on sandy loam with and without biochar.
Biochar plots held moisture better and reduced nitrogen leaching. Yield was up by about 15–18%.
Just make sure the biochar is fully cooled and “charged” (composted or soaked in manure tea) before application. Raw biochar can actually rob nutrients from the soil and lead to low yield.
Biochar is carbon. Generally materials high in carbon will rob nutrients from the soil. Dry grass, sawdust etc are high in carbon.
We used homemade charcoal fines in our vegetable beds. Spinach and ugu leaves came out greener and faster-growing.
I mixed it into compost 2 weeks before applying. Helps reduce smell too.
Only regret: didn’t make more!
Watch out though—not all charcoal = biochar. Some are treated with chemicals, especially BBQ charcoal. Use clean wood charcoal or make your own with a TLUD kiln.
Also, apply moderately. Too much can mess with soil pH.
Anyone try it on cassava? I’ve heard mixed results. Some say it helps with root formation, others say it’s not worth the effort unless your soil is already poor.
I’ve used it in nursery bags for pepper and tomato seedlings. Helps prevent damping off, and seedlings establish quicker after transplanting. I now mix 10% biochar in my potting mix by default.
Tried it on my poultry farm waste compost. The smell reduced and fly pressure dropped significantly. The final compost was rich and didn’t burn the plants. Great for both crop and livestock integration.
These are great insights, everyone! I’ll try compost-charged biochar one day. Also thinking of making a simple kiln to produce clean biochar from maize stalks after harvest. Any design recommendations?
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Here's a simple tlud for making biochar using only one container.
? What You Need
- 1 metal can – It can be paint can, milo tin, or food tin or big metal drum
- Drill or nail and hammer – to make air holes.
- Dry biomass fuel – wood chips, corn cobs, twigs, dry cassava peels, etc.
?️ Construction Steps
1.
Make Primary Air Holes (Bottom Side)
These supply oxygen from below to start and sustain the pyrolysis (carbonization) process.
- Drill or punch 12–20 holes about 6–10 mm in diameter.
- These holes feed air into the burning fuel.
2.
Make Secondary Air Holes (Top Side)
These help burn the gases and smoke released from the fuel, producing a clean flame.
- Punch 12–20 holes of about 6 mm diameter.
- Place them about 1–2 cm from the top of the can.
- These holes allow air to enter and mix with the rising smoke, igniting it.
?
How to Use the Single-Can TLUD Stove
- Fill the can with dry biomass fuel (not packed too tightly).
- Support the can or drum on stones so that primary air holes will be exposed.
- Light the top layer using dry paper or kindling. Once the fire is established, place the lid and chimney (if present) on the TLUD. Adjust the chimney openings to control the airflow and minimize smoke.
- Control airflow:
You'll want to minimize smoke during pyrolysis. This can be achieved by controlling airflow. Higher airflow gives higher temperature and lower smoke.
You can control airflow by:
1. pilling up sand around the base of the drum to restrict air in the primary air inlet. Or...
2. Using chimney that is built in sections such that the height can be increased or decreased by adding or removing sections.
Higher chimney height increases air flow. Or...
3. Installing a damper in the chimney
Monitor the burn:
Observe the smoke and the progression of the pyrolysis front (the area where the wood is converting to char). The fire should transition from a smoky burn to a cleaner burn as pyrolysis progresse
5. Quench the char:
When the pyrolysis front has reached the bottom of the fuel chamber, or when the smoke significantly reduces, it's time to stop the fire. Flood the TLUD with water to quench the char.
When to stop the fire:
1. Smoke reduction: A significant reduction in smoke indicates that the pyrolysis process is nearing completion.
2. Pyrolysis front: If you can visually track the pyrolysis front (the area where the wood is turning to char), it should be near the bottom of the fuel chamber when you are ready to stop the fire. The drum will get hot from top to bottom.
3. Heat reduction: The TLUD will become cooler as the pyrolysis nears completion.
- When you quench the fire, remove the stone supports and cover primary holes with sand
Tips for Best Results- Use dry fuel – wet material produces smoke and incomplete combustion.
- Don’t stir the fuel while burning – TLUD stoves work best undisturbed.
- Once the stove is lit, it should burn with a clean flame and little smoke.
- You can cook simple meals or boil water while making biochar!
YoungAgropreneur
Here's a simple tlud for making biochar using only one container.
? What You Need
- 1 metal can – It can be paint can, milo tin, or food tin or big metal drum
- Drill or nail and hammer – to make air holes.
- Dry biomass fuel – wood chips, corn cobs, twigs, dry cassava peels, etc.
?️ Construction Steps
1.
Make Primary Air Holes (Bottom Side)
These supply oxygen from below to start and sustain the pyrolysis (carbonization) process.
- Drill or punch 12–20 holes about 6–10 mm in diameter.
- These holes feed air into the burning fuel.
2.
Make Secondary Air Holes (Top Side)
These help burn the gases and smoke released from the fuel, producing a clean flame.
- Punch 12–20 holes of about 6 mm diameter.
- Place them about 1–2 cm from the top of the can.
- These holes allow air to enter and mix with the rising smoke, igniting it.
?
How to Use the Single-Can TLUD Stove
- Fill the can with dry biomass fuel (not packed too tightly).
- Support the can or drum on stones so that primary air holes will be exposed.
- Light the top layer using dry paper or kindling. Once the fire is established, place the lid and chimney (if present) on the TLUD. Adjust the chimney openings to control the airflow and minimize smoke.
- Control airflow:
You'll want to minimize smoke during pyrolysis. This can be achieved by controlling airflow. Higher airflow gives higher temperature and lower smoke.
You can control airflow by:
1. pilling up sand around the base of the drum to restrict air in the primary air inlet. Or...
2. Using chimney that is built in sections such that the height can be increased or decreased by adding or removing sections.
Higher chimney height increases air flow. Or...
3. Installing a damper in the chimney
Monitor the burn:
Observe the smoke and the progression of the pyrolysis front (the area where the wood is converting to char). The fire should transition from a smoky burn to a cleaner burn as pyrolysis progresse
5. Quench the char:
When the pyrolysis front has reached the bottom of the fuel chamber, or when the smoke significantly reduces, it's time to stop the fire. Flood the TLUD with water to quench the char.
When to stop the fire:
1. Smoke reduction: A significant reduction in smoke indicates that the pyrolysis process is nearing completion.
2. Pyrolysis front: If you can visually track the pyrolysis front (the area where the wood is turning to char), it should be near the bottom of the fuel chamber when you are ready to stop the fire. The drum will get hot from top to bottom.
3. Heat reduction: The TLUD will become cooler as the pyrolysis nears completion.
- When you quench the fire, remove the stone supports and cover primary holes with sand
Tips for Best Results- Use dry fuel – wet material produces smoke and incomplete combustion.
- Don’t stir the fuel while burning – TLUD stoves work best undisturbed.
- Once the stove is lit, it should burn with a clean flame and little smoke.
- You can cook simple meals or boil water while making biochar!
Thanks for sharing. I found this
https://growgreatfruit.com/permaculture/...th-biochar