Diy Biochar in Small Batches : Uk Pyrolysis for Black Soil Magic

A step-by-step guide to making Black Soil Magic (biochar) in small batches in the allotment, garden or small-holding, using an open firepit and/or a range of simple-to-source, inexpensive DIY retorts or kilns. The scope of this publication covers open pyrolysis of bulk secondary feedstocks with a flame curtain alongside the decomposition of finer, primary feedstocks within a Flexi-Tube, similar retorts, small kilns made from baked bean cans shoved together or old paint tins. The colour pictures showing a firepit, feedstock, pyrolysis and crushing of biochar were all taken in Lincolnshire, UK. Secondary feedstocks used to make char included apple wood, briar rose, brambles, sweetcorn plants and fruit bush prunings. Primary feedstocks for decomposition by pyrolysis inside kilns, retorts or Flexi-Tubes, included hawthorn wood chips, root grindings, broad bean and runner bean pods, couch grass, horsetail, bindweed, ground elder, dandelion and dock tap roots. The char was charged or activated by adding to the compost heap and/or soaking the crushed char in nutrient weed-liquid ferments.