Mkaa ya magunzi ~ Maize cob lump charcoal

Collect some dried maize cobs from a friendly farmer.

Using a mini-kiln, it takes about 3 hours to make a full ngodoro worth of maize cob charcoal (appx. 6kgs). 

Begin the carbonization process using the lid to control the air flow. Mix with twigs and branches for blended charcoal if needed.

Show your neighbors how easy it is to never buy charcoal again! 

 

Once finished, seal the kiln, let it cool for a few hours and voila! Your lump maize cob charcoal is ready to use!

Some great things to cook using maize cob charcoal on a Cookswell jiko:

A small 3 level charcoal oven (15,000ksh) 

And of course once the maize cobs have been carbonized they no longer emit as much noxious smoke!

Ted's famous Ten Minute ribs!

The Kuni Mbili ~Two Sticks of Firewood~ Jiko in action.

during hand crafting 

Loading stoves headed North to Marsabit, Kenya

Great job team - well done all. 

Following with various other stoves, kilns and BBQ's 

Also pictured is some 'clean-up' charcoal made using a 200ltr steel drum, inginuity, and the waste branches and bark left at the site of large charcoal kilns.
N.B see "The Scorched Earth" post at bottom of page.