Biochar Made in Bulk

Biochar made using wood chips. Paint cans and a standard household grill were used to maintain temperature and limit air-flow into the chamber. Process resulted in final biochar mass ~1/3 of total wood chip input.

Not pictured:

• three more cans full of biochar

• charcoal was crushed and sifted to separate larger chunks from fine dust

• larger chunks were added to PVC pipe first to mimic gravel/sand, then finer dust added on top to reach desired filter depth

  • chunks act as drainage to improve flow rate, help prevent clogging, and retain volume of finer material (think benefits of adding gravel below soil in plant drainage)