Sassafras charcoal?

[Charlie]

While outside cleaning up and burning up various yard debris, I had a
thought. Would Sassafras make a good charcoal? I've never seen it listed as
a possibility; perhaps for a good reason.

Up here in Western Michigan, the stuff is everywhere. Half the stuff is
standing deadwood. I could go out back and have a pickup load in no time at
all.

Charlie

[j***@bellsouth.net]

Post by Charlie
While outside cleaning up and burning up various yard debris, I had a
thought. Would Sassafras make a good charcoal? I've never seen it listed as
a possibility; perhaps for a good reason.
Up here in Western Michigan, the stuff is everywhere. Half the stuff is
standing deadwood. I could go out back and have a pickup load in no time at
all.
Charlie

I was thinking that the other day.
I'm sure when it's cooked the tea smell is gone.
Be cool if it stayed in though.
I'm sure you'll smell it when it's being cooked.
It's a fairly light weight wood.
Has a grain structure like ash.
I didn't see it on the charcoal test list.
Try it and see.
I was reading about Tree of Heaven, it's in the junk wood family with
catalpa, and paulownia.
It's all over here in Ky.
Same as Sassafras, all our bean poles and tomato sticks were
Sassafras.
Try it.
Dan

[TONY S]

Post by j***@bellsouth.net

Post by Charlie
While outside cleaning up and burning up various yard debris, I had a
thought. Would Sassafras make a good charcoal? I've never seen it listed as
a possibility; perhaps for a good reason.
Up here in Western Michigan, the stuff is everywhere. Half the stuff is
standing deadwood. I could go out back and have a pickup load in no time at
all.
Charlie

I was thinking that the other day.
I'm sure when it's cooked the tea smell is gone.
Be cool if it stayed in though.
I'm sure you'll smell it when it's being cooked.
It's a fairly light weight wood.
Has a grain structure like ash.
I didn't see it on the charcoal test list.
Try it and see.
I was reading about Tree of Heaven, it's in the junk wood family with
catalpa, and paulownia.
It's all over here in Ky.
Same as Sassafras, all our bean poles and tomato sticks were
Sassafras.
Try it.
Dan

yes deffinetly give it a try,its always worth it,In the Upper
Penninsula we had litteraly tons of maple .birch ,beech and oak,
chips,at my saw mill.and I tried them all, settled on birch for rocket
bp.and the others I experemented with barbcueing fish and venison.if
anything .you can formulate your own bp batches with whatever is on
hand the most. I had a lot of cato's until I massaged the percentages
just right .but had an endless supply of free charcoal whenever I
needed.I just switched to willow and have noticed a remarkable
difference in burn rate.so now I'm starting all over ,but thats what
makes hobby's so much fun....

[Naked Truth]

Post by TONY S

Post by j***@bellsouth.net

Post by Charlie
While outside cleaning up and burning up various yard debris, I had a
thought. Would Sassafras make a good charcoal? I've never seen it listed as
a possibility; perhaps for a good reason.
Up here in Western Michigan, the stuff is everywhere. Half the stuff is
standing deadwood. I could go out back and have a pickup load in no time at
all.
Charlie

I was thinking that the other day.
I'm sure when it's cooked the tea smell is gone.
Be cool if it stayed in though.
I'm sure you'll smell it when it's being cooked.
It's a fairly light weight wood.
Has a grain structure like ash.
I didn't see it on the charcoal test list.
Try it and see.
I was reading about Tree of Heaven, it's in the junk wood family with
catalpa, and paulownia.
It's all over here in Ky.
Same as Sassafras, all our bean poles and tomato sticks were
Sassafras.
Try it.
Dan

yes deffinetly give it a try,its always worth it,In the Upper
Penninsula we had litteraly tons of maple .birch ,beech and oak,
chips,at my saw mill.and I tried them all, settled on birch for rocket
bp.and the others I experemented with barbcueing fish and venison.if
anything .you can formulate your own bp batches with whatever is on
hand the most. I had a lot of cato's until I massaged the percentages
just right .but had an endless supply of free charcoal whenever I
needed.I just switched to willow and have noticed a remarkable
difference in burn rate.so now I'm starting all over ,but thats what
makes hobby's so much fun....

I recently bought some willow lump charcoal from Custom Charcoal,
powdering it is quite a chore but I expect the results to be worth the
effort. Custom Charcoal says about willow:

" Black Powder has been used for fireworks for thousands of years. In
both firework making and gun powder manufacturing the charcoal
provides lift and acts as a propellant. Willow charcoal is a
particularly good propellant and lifting agent. These qualities arise
from the fact that willow grows so quickly and is such a soft wood. It
is the softest woods that provide the greatest lift."

They have a few other types as well but no sassafras and the willow is
a fairly new offering, I think Pyro's are their main target. I just
wanted to mention that there is a source for defined types of real
charcoal, in case you aren't up to cooking your own.

NT

[Charlie]

Thanks for the info NT. Oddly enough, I actually stumbled across them early
this morning (Thank God I don't pay for internet access by the hour, like in
the days of old!)

95% of the time, I'm sure I'll go the commercial route for convenience sake
(same reason I don't raise and butcher my own chickens; that and various
city ordinances), but I would like to give it a shot. Just so that I can say
that I did it. I was speculating about the sassafras for several reasons.

One. It is a softer, weaker wood. With some obvious exceptions, it seems
from my reading that many of the faster charcoals are derived from
quick-growing, softer woods.

Secondly. I was burning a pile of sassafras branches yesterday out back. The
cheap, Dutchman in me thought... "I wonder if I'm pissing away a potential
free source of charcoal material? I could convert that rarely used turkey
deep-fryer into a reasonable facsimile of a retort."

Charlie

Post by Naked Truth
I recently bought some willow lump charcoal from Custom Charcoal,
powdering it is quite a chore but I expect the results to be worth the
They have a few other types as well but no sassafras and the willow is
a fairly new offering, I think Pyro's are their main target. I just
wanted to mention that there is a source for defined types of real
charcoal, in case you aren't up to cooking your own.
NT

[j***@bellsouth.net]

Post by Charlie
Thanks for the info NT. Oddly enough, I actually stumbled across them early
this morning (Thank God I don't pay for internet access by the hour, like in
the days of old!)
95% of the time, I'm sure I'll go the commercial route for convenience sake
(same reason I don't raise and butcher my own chickens; that and various
city ordinances), but I would like to give it a shot. Just so that I can say
that I did it. I was speculating about the sassafras for several reasons.
One. It is a softer, weaker wood. With some obvious exceptions, it seems
from my reading that many of the faster charcoals are derived from
quick-growing, softer woods.
Secondly. I was burning a pile of sassafras branches yesterday out back. The
cheap, Dutchman in me thought... "I wonder if I'm pissing away a potential
free source of charcoal material? I could convert that rarely used turkey
deep-fryer into a reasonable facsimile of a retort."
Charlie

Post by Naked Truth
I recently bought some willow lump charcoal from Custom Charcoal,
powdering it is quite a chore but I expect the results to be worth the
They have a few other types as well but no sassafras and the willow is
a fairly new offering, I think Pyro's are their main target. I just
wanted to mention that there is a source for defined types of real
charcoal, in case you aren't up to cooking your own.
NT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Charlie,
I think frugal is in all pyros.
If I made coal out of all the wood I kipe from pallets, I'd have to
sell it.
Same with cardboard tubes.
During my constitutons I'm studying the cardboard toilet paper tubes.
I bet I have 1/2 truck load of different tubes I've cabbaged from
work.
Bye the bye, there's some cheap toilet paper out there that's supposed
to make bomb-er-real good charcoal.
Dan

[Charlie]

Too funny. Even though I'm new to this hobby, I'm looking at everything in a
different light. I've been eyeing the tubes in the produce section at
Meijers that the cheap bags are spooled on. Thinking about asking the
produce manager to save them for me. They're spiral wound 3/4" ID, 1/4"
wall, and 4" long. I gotta believe I could use them somehow. Scammed a
couple of boxes of nitrile gloves from a buddy who's a dentist. After
reading a page at wichitabuggywhip.com, I stopped at a locally owned camera
shop. Walked out with over 6 dozen assorted Kodak and Fuji film cannisters.

All this, and I haven't even made a single thing yet. Hah. It's a bitch
dealing with an addictive personality!

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
During my constitutons I'm studying the cardboard toilet paper tubes.
I bet I have 1/2 truck load of different tubes I've cabbaged from
work.

[Richard Casady]

Post by Charlie
Walked out with over 6 dozen assorted Kodak and Fuji film cannisters.

What will you do with them? I like to throw them into water, and shoot
at them, but whatever.
If the contents explode the shrapnel will be worse than paper. Of
course you wouldn't be making one ounce salutes. I suppose you make
stars. big ones.

Casady

[Charlie]

Post by Richard Casady
What will you do with them? I like to throw them into water, and shoot
at them, but whatever.
If the contents explode the shrapnel will be worse than paper. Of
course you wouldn't be making one ounce salutes. I suppose you make
stars. big ones.
Casady

No, not salutes. Momma B didn't raise no fool. Grabbed them for in the
future when I feel confident enough to try constructing some aerial shells.
I live within walking distance of a very BIG lake. Plan on firing tests over
it. If I hit Milwaukee, I'll know I used too much lift. :-) If need be, I
could dig a WWII-style foxhole in the sand. "Get your butt down soldier..."

They could be fun little targets to snipe at. My office has a 12-lane
shooting range in the basement. Really, I'm not making this up. Share the
building with a gun shop that carries reloading supplies, so procuring Green
Dot, per Lloyd, wasn't too difficult.

Which just tickled another idea. Technically, I could get all the free lead
I wanted from the basement, but would it be too much hassle separating out
the bits of copper-jacketing? Any thoughts?

One final thought, a bit off-topic, but if any of you out there are
reloaders... let me know. I could probably get you some quality brass; as in
shot only once. Predominately in .40 & .45, but some 9mm, .38, and .357 SIG.
People come in to shoot, and just leave the brass. This isn't meant to be an
ad. I would only charge you the shipping costs. I figure what goes around
comes around. Maybe work out some kind of barter? If you're feeling
ambitious or artsy, I could send you a bunch of .22 cases. Make yourself a
purty necklace.

Charlie

[Richard Casady]

Post by Charlie
would it be too much hassle separating out
the bits of copper-jacketing? Any thoughts?

Copper is considerably less dense than lead. If you melt the bullets
all the jackets will float to the top where they can easily be skimmed
off.

Casady

[Richard Casady]

Post by Charlie
No, not salutes. Momma B didn't raise no fool. Grabbed them for in the
future when I feel confident enough to try constructing some aerial shells.
I live within walking distance of a very BIG lake. Plan on firing tests over
it.

I never thought of using one for a shell. I would have speculated that
it would be hard to get a symmetrical break, but if they work, they
work.

Casady

[jasper]

Post by Richard Casady

Post by Charlie
No, not salutes. Momma B didn't raise no fool. Grabbed them for in the
future when I feel confident enough to try constructing some aerial shells.
I live within walking distance of a very BIG lake. Plan on firing tests over
it.

I never thought of using one for a shell. I would have speculated that
it would be hard to get a symmetrical break, but if they work, they
work.
Casady

Actually, there's a lot of info and conversation in re film can shells
archived on the various pyro sites.

Some folks have developed them to a high degree, addressing the issue
of symmetry, lift and etc.

J.

[TONY S]

Post by Charlie
Too funny. Even though I'm new to this hobby, I'm looking at everything in a
different light. I've been eyeing the tubes in the produce section at
Meijers that the cheap bags are spooled on. Thinking about asking the
produce manager to save them for me. They're spiral wound 3/4" ID, 1/4"
wall, and 4" long. I gotta believe I could use them somehow. Scammed a
couple of boxes of nitrile gloves from a buddy who's a dentist. After
reading a page at wichitabuggywhip.com, I stopped at a locally owned camera
shop. Walked out with over 6 dozen assorted Kodak and Fuji film cannisters.
All this, and I haven't even made a single thing yet. Hah. It's a bitch
dealing with an addictive personality!

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
During my constitutons I'm studying the cardboard toilet paper tubes.
I bet I have 1/2 truck load of different tubes I've cabbaged from
work.

I use the same Miejers tubes they are strong as hell and ,I use those
green bamboo plant stakes from the dollar store and easter eggs for
headers and VIOLA,cheap rockets!!!!!!those tubes are strong enough for
whistle mix.the film canisters make excelent shells to top off rockets
also....

[jasper]

Post by TONY S

Post by Charlie
Too funny. Even though I'm new to this hobby, I'm looking at everything in a
different light. I've been eyeing the tubes in the produce section at
Meijers that the cheap bags are spooled on. Thinking about asking the
produce manager to save them for me. They're spiral wound 3/4" ID, 1/4"
wall, and 4" long. I gotta believe I could use them somehow. Scammed a
couple of boxes of nitrile gloves from a buddy who's a dentist. After
reading a page at wichitabuggywhip.com, I stopped at a locally owned camera
shop. Walked out with over 6 dozen assorted Kodak and Fuji film cannisters.
All this, and I haven't even made a single thing yet. Hah. It's a bitch
dealing with an addictive personality!

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
During my constitutons I'm studying the cardboard toilet paper tubes.
I bet I have 1/2 truck load of different tubes I've cabbaged from
work.

I use the same Miejers tubes they are strong as hell and ,I use those
green bamboo plant stakes from the dollar store and easter eggs for
headers and VIOLA,cheap rockets!!!!!!those tubes are strong enough for
whistle mix.the film canisters make excelent shells to top off rockets
also....- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Got to saving the hangar tubes from the local thrift store. 3/8" ID
convo-wound. Use 'em for rocket cases, good BP doesn't faze 'em.

Filled a copy-paper box in ~ two months, maybe 500?

Jasper

[LadyKate]

Post by Charlie
I could convert that rarely used turkey
deep-fryer into a reasonable facsimile of a retort."

Easy to do but don't use the aluminum fryer pots. Get a steel one (or
SS one). An aluminum pot wiil melt and get your burner all gunky - or
worse. Been there.

If you put a one gallon can with a hole in the top on the fryer and
then put a five gallon can over it - with appropriate breathing holes
in the outside can, you can make a double chambered burner that makes
great charcoal and doesn't stink up the neighborhood. See:
Loading Image...

[Charlie]

Post by LadyKate
Easy to do but don't use the aluminum fryer pots. Get a steel one (or
SS one). An aluminum pot wiil melt and get your burner all gunky - or
worse. Been there.

Oooooo. Helpful safety tip from LadyKate. Thank you. BTW, love your website.
Been reading it all day.

[Richard Casady]

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
Same as Sassafras, all our bean poles and tomato sticks were
Sassafras.

Bamboo.
It is actually possible to have a bamboo grove in Iowa. It dies off
each year, so it only gets to be 1/2 in by six ft.

Casady

[J.E.B.]

Post by Richard Casady

Post by j***@bellsouth.net
Same as Sassafras, all our bean poles and tomato sticks were
Sassafras.

Bamboo.
It is actually possible to have a bamboo grove in Iowa. It dies off
each year, so it only gets to be 1/2 in by six ft.
Casady

Save that turkey pot for what its intended use is, Cooking up chems
for homemade chlorate manufacture! Want not waste not.