[Stoves] Char from Corn cobs ??

[neiltm at uwclub.net]

On 21 Jan 2020 at 8:25, Cookswell Jikos wrote:

> Corn cob charcoal itself is pretty awesome - it burns super fast and
> hot which makes it good for blending with regular charcoal or quick
> cooking of things like tea or rice. 

I have burned a few and then burned the char, not exclusively but mixed 
in with other 'fines' and generally friable char saved from TLUD and 
rocket stoves mostly, and I can identify with the above statement when 
comparing my home made char with more substantial commercial 'lumpwood' 
charcoal.
I also find that wood that has half rotted, but when dry makes a very 
friable char, much as the corn cobs do, and does indeed burn super fast 
and hot, lighting exteremely quickly, which is also true of the wood 
itself in the TLUD.

With my small cast iron pot bellied BBQ with the addition of my computer 
fan 'turbo', I can have a fire to cook on in about a minute from lighting 
with a couple of sheets of newspaper under the grate, and with enough 
fuel in a single charge, a fire that lasts long enough to cook chicken 
pieces - about 40 mins.

I introduced the fan when I experienced inadequate draft because of the 
density of the layer of fine char impeding air flow, but apart from 
starting the fire, mostly it is not necessary once going, although 
sometimes useful in short bursts as another way to vary the heat, and if 
I reload during a long cook.

I can appreciate though that this type of char might be difficult to 
transport and sell without degredation and would presumably need the sort 
of charcoal stove that can burn pellet char which I imagine is more 
structurally robust but have no experience of.  But used at source I find 
it excellent and easy, and makes for a very controllable heat.  

Neil Taylor in England