Originally Posted by
jmh54738
Linstrum, I feel that knowing the ash content of the charcoal is quite reasonable, and I will run another sample of the Quaking Aspen charcoal. Today, I gathered a batch of an unidentified woody material from my woods. This woody shrub grows in a clump, the center trunk being about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and ten feet tall. It seems to die back every year. A cluster of 1/2" diameter plants which will be this year's growth are very green just under the bark, then a 1/16" thick layer of sap wood, with the center being a spongy pith. I will document the plants growth for identification.
The bark was easily removed from last year's 2 1/2" diameter dead growth. Both the sap wood and the heart wood is very soft and light. The center 5/16" diameter contains a soft spongy brown pith. I am going into this detail because the ash content of the charcoal is 1.8%. I am hoping that this will make an even better BP than the Aspen. What has been the ash content of your best charcoals??
Whereas the Aspen ash broke down to a fine powder during the ash assay cooking and stirring, the ash from this unknown charcoal retained considerable fluffy volume, shifting around slightly on the can lid, just from the air currents, though not a speck was lost
So, now I will process this charcoal and make a 1/2# batch of BP and run velocity tests and examine for fouling. What then remains is for me to determine the identity of this woody plant, which is quite common in my woods.
jmh54738