[tjwilhelm]

Originally Posted by Omega

What do you use for a makeshift pyrolysis tin and how long do you burn these before extinguising to make the charcloth?

I've tried Altoids tins...BUT, they're too leaky for my preference. You can use a tin with a tighter, slip-fit lid, like a shoe-polish can, or some hard-candy tins.

Put the lid on the can and drill a 1/8" hole into the side, so that it goes through both the side of the lid and the side of the can at the same time.

Put your cloth swatches inside. Put the lid on the tin. Line up the holes so there is air passage in and out of the can. Put the can on your fire (not TOO hot).

After a bit, smoke will start to shoot out of the hole. This smoke contains all the burnable volatiles that are being "boiled" out of the fabirc. Therefore, this smoke/gas mix will BURN. Use a twig or a match and get a flame near the gasses that are coming out of the hole. NOW, you'll have a flame shooting out of the hole. TRY to keep this flame lit.

When the flame goes out, and it won't light again, the process is done.

WITH GLOVES, and carefully, remove the can from the heat source and twist the lid so the holes are NOT aligned. This will seal the can. Leave it sealed this way until the can cools. If you can't twist the lid, use a small twig to plug the hole. You could also drill the hole in the top of the lid and just use a twig for a plug in that case, too.

After the can and its contents cool, you will have good charcloth!

[elpidi0526]

Originally Posted by tjwilhelm

I mentioned this in Kevin's recent thread, "seeking innovative way to carry charcloth;" and, thought I would throw out a few pix to share.

This is charcloth made from 100% Cotton Makeup Rounds -- the fluffy/porous pads that ladies use to remove their makeup. They char nicely, and they have lots of internal surface area making for a nice ember once a spark is caught from your flint-and-steel set.

Pics, below:

Very cool...great idea TJ! Thanks!

[crashdive123]

Nice idea TJ.

[kevin]

just noticed all the box stores have got the empty christmas cookie/popcorn tins of all sizes for sale, with pop-on lids. these are what I use for charcloth; work great.

[snowshoe67]

Originally Posted by kevin

just noticed all the box stores have got the empty christmas cookie/popcorn tins of all sizes for sale, with pop-on lids. these are what I use for charcloth; work great.

Kev Great Idea, I use them for storage, bolts,Nuts,Parts but the Charcloth work Nice Idea! Thanks!

[crashdive123]

Ohhhhhhh. You buy the empty ones. Maybe that's why my diet isn't working.

[cowgirlup]

Good idea on the tins! I see them in the free section at the town dump.
Even a rusty one would work fine for that.

[snowshoe67]

TJ Thanks for the Idea! 1/8 holes good idea!

[rutilate]

Tried the cotton make-up remover pads in a 8" diameter tin over a backpacking stove. Never could get the smoke plume to light. First batch turned up black on bottom, white and brown on top.

Increased the heat and cook time on the next batch. It worked better, but still somewhat brown on top. Are the pads just too thick to cook through in this fashion?

What do you use as 2nd stage tinder? I tried some "Maya Dust" which is really just fatwood shavings, and couldn't get anything to light.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by rutilate

Tried the cotton make-up remover pads in a 8" diameter tin over a backpacking stove. Never could get the smoke plume to light. First batch turned up black on bottom, white and brown on top.

Increased the heat and cook time on the next batch. It worked better, but still somewhat brown on top. Are the pads just too thick to cook through in this fashion?

What do you use as 2nd stage tinder? I tried some "Maya Dust" which is really just fatwood shavings, and couldn't get anything to light.

forget the backpacking stove. you gotta really cook it in fire or coals. I put it in my wood burning stove!!!!!! for second stage I rarely have to do anthing but scan the area for some forest debris, dead grass, leaves. If too wet, some fine shavings from a split piece of wood will suffice.