Make Your Own Charcoal

Ever wanted to make your own charcoal?

Come and join James for a day of learning how. Charcoal has so many uses, not just cooking, but as a slug deterrent on your vegetable beds to the wonders of biochar for improving soil. We will show you how to make your own charcoal kiln for small-scale use, using recycled materials. Every participant will take away a bag of charcoal.

The day will include:

• How to make your own charcoal kiln
• Which tree species make the best charcoal
• Loading, firing, sealing and unloading the kiln
• How to grade charcoal
• Introduction to biochar
• Introduction to Coppicing for charcoal and firewood
• How to make your own artists charcoal from willow
• History of charcoal burning
• Using hand tools safely

So much of the charcoal that is sold in our supermarkets and garage forecourts is imported from unsustainable, foreign sources and the crazy thing is that our own native, hardwood charcoal is so much better quality. There’s been a resurgence of interest in producing homegrown charcoal, which supports sustainable management of British woodlands. So, isn’t it time you joined the UK charcoal revival?

We’ll also take a walk into the beautiful native woods at Denmark Farm nature reserve and see how trees there are being managed for sustainable coppice products like charcoal. If we get time, we might just coppice a hazel tree for ourselves too.

This course is ideal for anyone who is passionate about woodlands and wants to learn a practical skill to make good use of every bit of the tree.

Tools and safety wear will be provided. Unloading and grading the charcoal can be a dirty job, so we advise wearing old clothes that can get dusty. We’ll be outside for the majority of the day, so bring waterproof clothes and appropriate boots. Wellies can be provided if required.

The minimum age for course participants is 16.

Facilitator: James Kendall

Fee: £30 per person (will include one small bag of charcoal to take away)

You may also be interested in other conservation and craft courses held at Denmark Farm, e.g.  Willow Basket Weaving,  Cob Oven Building, Gate Making, Timber Framing and Make your own Pole Lathe.