Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 A buddy of mines Dad was a jack of all trades and it dawned on me that he used to make charcoal from the mesquite on their ranch when we were kids. After a few calls to other friends I was able to contact him and he (my buddy of almost 30 years) was still local but his Dad had passed away several years back. That part sucked. But my bud still had the kiln in a barn and offered to let me come over and check it out. So I brought beer and the hookah over and we spent two hours getting to the damn thing. Texas heat and I think right now it is hot everywhere was abundant so we had one helluva workout. But finally we got to it. Fortunately he has a tractor with a frontend loader to pick the wildebeast up and drag it out because this damn thing was heavy as hell. Not only that but we were going through a lot of beer and I was dragging badly by then. [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif[/img] He had a bunch of aged mesquite on hand which worked out perfect. We fired that bad boy up and ran a batch and drank more beer and talked about old times. Regardless of how the charcoal was going to turn out I was enjoying myself. He said we could not use the stuff until the next day so I stayed the night. I have known my wife since I was 16 (uhhh, I'm 45 now [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]) and since his current wife is only 6 years older than my oldest daughter she was not too crazy about me doing that. But that is another story [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif[/img] Anyhoo the next morning I got called into work because a server went down (yet another story) so I did not get to test the charcoal until about an hour ago. THE sh*t ROCKS!!! Well at least with my setup. But when it comes to women and hookahs as long as I get mine that is all that matters!!! hehe!!! But now the big question is how the stuff rates with the hookah pros and I have NO idea to be honest. The cool thing is I was a welder for 17 years and can dupe his Dad's setup. But before I do I want to let some of the more seasoned guys test out the stuff. People like Tangiers and 40 Thieves are high on my list of people to get the stuff to. After all anybody that makes a reputable shisha and a damned nice looking lounge word should count for something right? Plus I need PAINFULLY honest opinions even if they are not positive. I have always found your best friends are honest enough to help save you embarrassment and none of my friends know diddly about this subject. What sucks is that I learned that the way the wood is cut before you make charcoal makes a huge difference in what the charcoal turns out. The stuff we used was not made with hookahs in mind so I am precutting a more hookah friendly version and heading back over this weekend and knocking out another batch. Since I only smoke my Double Apple and Rose mix and a lot of you question that it is obvious before I can claim success I need a 10th and 11th opinion. So I am going to PM some guys and get some addresses to mail some respectfuly sized samples to and ask for [b]honest[/b] opinions. If it works then I will proceed to the next step which is buying up materials to make a good sized kiln, throw on the leathers and the hood and fire the big MIG up and build a bad boy charcoal kiln, hire me some school kids to gather some mesquite and try to put out a very affordable high quality charcoal. I have a really good day job so not much riding on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyGuy Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Hey... I might not the most reputable or w/e... but I'm always up for some good testin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding_Heart1 Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 As would i man! im always up for new coals! If they work you mught need to start a side business man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostofdavid Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Let me know how I can help test your coals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shonimus Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 I'd gladly test those coals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 Okay, to be fair and not tease the masses, the first 5 posters on the thread plus the guys like Tangiers, etc. that are in the biz so to speak can get in on the testing. The kiln will hold a boatload to I will just keep the saw buzzing. I will cut various sizes so hopefully we can narrow down what works best. Right now I am guessing between 3/8 to 1/2 inch think (about 10mm to 13mm for you metric guys) I am cutting from limbs 3/4 to 1-1/4 diameter and see how that works along with some bigger that you can score with a knife and break to your desire. I will have to get input in more areas than I probably even realize just yet. I just know they seem to burn really clean and that's about it. They seem to last pretty dang good but I have only used quick lights so WTF do I know? I have not used a store bought natural coal so I don't have anything to go by. I do know that I have an endless supply of mesquite and people more than happy to part with it. I figure I will have to cut entire trees in order to make it worthwhile for the landowners. But since mesquite is the most popular cooking wood, the market for that is well established. Selling that off on Craigslist would be easy. The funny thing is that these trees grow fast and ranchers HATE them because of the thorns. Highschool kids with trucks that need extra money are abundant so the hard part is easy. Well other than welding up the big dawg kiln I suppose. For any of you that know anything about welders you will probably be impressed with mine. This is a 650 AMP MIG guys. For those that aren't familiar, you can weld steel as thick as you want with it. [img]http://www.scalliwag.com/welders/HPIM0327.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.scalliwag.com/welders/HPIM0328.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.scalliwag.com/welders/HPIM0329.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuschultz Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Id love to test.And Im kinda in the biz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='nuschultz']Id love to test.And Im kinda in the biz.[/quote] ....and you are number 4 also [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley17.gif[/img] PM me your addy and I will send you a batch. BTW guys this is only within the U.S. as far as sending stuff for testing. Across borders would be a pain at this stage. [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alqoshnia Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Hey Scalli, Id like to try and test some. I can pay for the shipping if you need or if you want I can trade ya some m'assel for some charcoal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='Alqoshnia']Hey Scalli, Id like to try and test some. I can pay for the shipping if you need or if you want I can trade ya some m'assel for some charcoal[/quote] If you are in the U.S. I will cover the shipping bro. You are number 5 so we have the testers lined up now. Thanks! [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alqoshnia Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 yea im 30 minutes north of Detroit,MI. I appreciate the free batch, ill PM you my addy, Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='Alqoshnia']yea im 30 minutes north of Detroit,MI. I appreciate the free batch, ill PM you my addy, Thanks[/quote] I hope the weather is cooler there [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif[/img] It really sux here [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halon Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 If you have any coals left over you can shoot my way, I'll treat ya to 40 Thieves when you come up to CO. But I understand if you've got enough testers already. TYLER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='Halon']If you have any coals left over you can shoot my way, I'll treat ya to 40 Thieves when you come up to CO.But I understand if you've got enough testers already.TYLER[/quote] That is not a problem. I will throw two batches in a box and ship to either of you on the promisary that said recipient of package does not loot other parties sample. [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif[/img] I PM'ed him but have not heard back yet. Since you will be going there on a regular basis the joint shipping will save $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buford Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Isn't mesquite charcoal high in sulfur content? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='Buford']Isn't mesquite charcoal high in sulfur content?[/quote] I'm not sure but I did not taste any or smell it. From what I read when the charcoal is being made everything except the carbon burns off. As hot as the kiln gets I'm surprised even the carbon survives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuschultz Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Time for Tangiers input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthEastSmoker Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 pictures of said kiln? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostofdavid Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Welding machines + what appears to be Mike's Hard Lemonade = good times!!! [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 I wanted to look that up real quick before I poisoned my favorite test subject (that would be me!) Anyways I found the answer on the University of California's website and an article they posted on composting (so they composted an article I guess?) Anyhow here is the article. Look under "Barbecue ashes" [url="http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1808/364.PDF"]http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/1808/364.PDF[/url] I did find an article on sulfur being in the seed pods on mesquites and cattle eating them and getting stomach ailments. So I can see where there would be concern since at least in the non-charcoal form there appears to be sulfur. I still want to read up more on the subject though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuschultz Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Is there a way u can test for the presence of sulfur in something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='NorthEastSmoker']pictures of said kiln? [/quote] I bet those pics are throwing a lot of people off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 [quote name='Scalliwag'][quote name='NorthEastSmoker']pictures of said kiln? [/quote] I bet those pics are throwing a lot of people off [/quote] I'm not sure. If we get past the test of whether it passes the testers overall approval I may look into having testing done by a lab. It would probably be pricey and I am not sure if any of the other charcoal makers do that or not. Mesquite burns incredibly hot compared to oak and other woods as far as grilling goes. I am not sure what effect that plays when it is converted to charcoal since from everything I read it turns to carbon. My guess is that the density of the carbon is probably the most important part. Too dense it would take longer to light, less dense it would burn quicker. Mesquite is a hardwood but it is not as dense as a lot of hardwoods. At least it does not seem that way to me. The coal burned to ash and left no residue. Again that may not mean diddly but if it left a gummy spot or something I would abandon ship quickly. I definately have a lot to learn on the subject. Keep the questions and concerns coming because it helps me determine what to look into and what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crepenchicha Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 I'd love to test if you're looking for more folks. I'm not in the biz, but to toot my own horn, I have a well developed palatte and could provide some flavor feedback.Here's to hoping that's enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scalliwag Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 Let me see how much I can get cut up and made and we will go from there. I am sending USPS Priority so the cost of shipping is not bad. But multiplied out that could suck. So first things first let me lay some eggs before I count them. Then when I divide up the batch and see how much the first trip to the post office costs me I will go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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