[Stoves] LPG import in India

[neiltm at uwclub.net]

On 28 Dec 2017 at 12:35, Cookswell Jikos wrote:

> The international charcoal market seems vast and confused, here are some
> links to some recent news;
> 
> Germans are buying 'non-sustainable' charcoal from Nigeria
> http://www.dw.com/en/charcoal-exported-by-africa-bought-by-europe/a-419161
> 23
> and
> yet there is plenty of 'sustainable' charcoal from Namibia readily
> available
> https://www.gondwana-collection.com/news/article/2017/11/13/in-namibia-enc
> roaching-bush-is-turned-into-charcoal/
> .

I would be interested to know what proportion of charcoal is imported 
compared with locally, probably artisan made, but also proportionally for 
what purpose charcoal is used in European countries generally.  
Pharmaceuticals, food, air and water filters are some uses that come to 
mind, but how do such sectors compare with leisure BBQ consumption?

> 
> If you use facebook - please have a look at one of these charcoal buying
> and selling clubs - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031960193551909/ as
> well, you'll see all manner of char sale's and deals from all corners of
> the world. Most of the international charcoal I bet is destined for
> BBQ's
> rather then typical household cookstoves and much of it is probably a
> by-product from agricultural expansion.
> 

In Britain reconstituted charcoal briquettes seem more popular, probably 
because cheaper than 'lumpwood' charcoal which is much nicer.

We enjoy as many BBQs as we can, but I haven't bought any charcoal for 
well over a decade, making our own entirely from the residue of TLUD 
stoves used for cooking in the garden, rocket stoves and the occasional 
outdoor fire in a bowl improvised from an old kettle BBQ with domed lid 
that when placed over the fire at or near the end of pyrolysis, and the 
vent sealed with some clay soil, liberates when cooled a bucket full of 
charcoal for the BBQ.

We use a smallish pot bellied cast iron BBQ, but can't find them on US 
ebay.  This link is for UK ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR
0.TRC0.H0.Xcast+iron+BBQ.TRS0&_nkw=cast+iron+BBQ&_sacat=0

With very fine char such as the TLUDs produce, I re-use the mesh 
scavenged from other peoples discarded disposable BBQ trays doubled up 
across the grate to retain the fines.  Lit with a couple of sheets of 
newspaper, and an old computer fan to augment the draft, we are cooking 
in under a minute of striking the match.

I would like to see more clean biomass stoves available at more 
affordable prices in the UK such as Dr Nurhuda's Prime stoves or the Fyro 
stove when developed, as I am sure there is a much larger potential 
market for outdoor wood and charcoal fired kitchens than is currently 
exploited, and char making for the BBQ could become an easy option as 
part of that.  


> 
> May I ask a small favor (should I say flavor?) from the members on the
> list
> - if you see a charcoal BBQ in action this holiday season, please send a
> photo or two and small description of it (and the charcoal) to me, I am
> always interested to learn more about how people make and use charcoal
> grills around the world.
> 

Hope the above is sufficiently descriptive to be interesting.  

> All the best and happy holidays!
> 
> Teddy

Best wishes from a frosty, sunny England,    Neil Taylor