Product Description

Kontiki kiln # Kon tiki kiln # Open flame kiln.

What is a Kon-Tiki Kiln?

A Kon-Tiki kiln is a simple, efficient charcoal and biochar kiln that uses the flame-cap principle to convert biomass into carbon without letting it burn to ash.

In plain terms:
it burns the smoke and gases, not the wood itself.

Principle of a Kon-Tiki Kiln

A Kon-Tiki kiln works on a top-lit, flame-curtain principle to convert biomass (wood, prunings, invasive plants, crop waste) into charcoal or biochar efficiently and with very low smoke.

How it works.

• Biomass (wood, prunings, offcuts) is added in layers

• Each new layer burns on top

• The flames consume oxygen, protecting the carbon below

• The lower material carbonises instead of combusting

• When complete, the kiln is quenched to stop the reaction

  • (Please note we are busy with trials to stop flame rather with lid to starve flames and stop burning slowly!– Great for Carbon quality and %)

Typical materials used

• Hardwood logs and offcuts

• Tree prunings

• Wood chips

• Agricultural residues

(Material should be reasonably dry for best results.)

In one sentence

A Kon-Tiki kiln is a flame-cap carbonisation kiln that efficiently converts biomass into charcoal or biochar using controlled fire and minimal technology.

Oxygen Limitation (Pyrolysis)

• Biomass below the flame has limited oxygen.

• Instead of burning to ash, it carbonises (pyrolysis).

• Volatile gases rise upward and are burned by the flame curtain, not lost to the air.

Result:
✔ High carbon yield
✔ Stable charcoal/biochar

Top-Lit Fire (Flame Curtain)

• The fire is lit on top, not at the bottom.
• The flames form a “curtain” of fire above the biomass.
• This flame curtain burns the smoke gases released from the wood below.

Result:
✔ Very low smoke
✔ Cleaner, more efficient burn

Layer-by-Layer Feeding

• Biomass is added in thin layers.

• Each new layer ignites on top, while the layer below converts to char.

• The fire always stays on top, protecting the finished char underneath.

Result:
✔ Controlled process
✔ Uniform product quality

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Have a look at attached Videos to understand how she works!

Biochar kiln Ideal for Clubs, Farms, Domestic, estates etc +

Temperature Control = Product Control

• ±300–450 °C → Charcoal

  • Higher volatiles

  • Good fuel value

• ±550–650 °C → Biochar

  • More fixed carbon

  • Stable for soil and carbon sequestration

Same kiln – two products, controlled by burn intensity and timing.

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Sizes:

1. Large kiln:

The diameter at the top of the cone is 2.4m

The capacity of the vessel is 3,360 liters

Makes approximately 900kg of biochar or charcoal per run

2. Small kiln:

The diameter at the top of the cone is 1.6m

The capacity of the vessel is 1,000 liters

Makes approximately 270kg of biochar or charcoal per run

Kiln details:

• The cone is made of special steel (S355R) that will last many years (almost lifetime…) guaranteed for 10 years
• Large kiln 4mm plate
• Small kiln 3mm plate
• The kiln is mounted on a frame and pivots for easy emptying
• There is a ratchet system that allows the kiln to be rotated and locked in numerous positions
• There is a skirt / jacket covering the cone. This is a permanent fixture
• All metal components apart from the cone are galvanised
• The kiln can be made larger or smaller depending on what the customer wants
• There is an integrated emptying system
• A special trolley is wheeled under the kiln to collect the biochar when it is ready

Shipping:

The kiln cones are stackable

All other components simply bolt together

Anyone with basic mechanical knowledge can do it with a few simple tools

Why the Kon-Tiki biochar kiln?

1. Low cost, simple and elegant compared to other biochar production technologies.
2. Proven, high quality biochar – fulfills all conditions for the European Union Premium Certificate for biochar.
3. The natural vortex dynamic of the Kon-Tiki cone kiln supports an “air-curtain” and flame cap that pyrolyzes the feedstock, burns the smoke and protects the char.
4. The Kon-Tiki has tested lower air emissions compared to other low cost kilns.
5. Rim shield provides safety, and heat protection, as well as clean combustion and uniform biochar.
6. Low feedstock processing requirements compared to other technologies.
7. Accepts a range of feedstocks, including mixed feedstocks and higher moisture content feedstock, in sizes from small off-cuts, through hog fuel and limb wood up to 1.2 metres in length and up to 6-8cm in diameter.
8. Ideal moisture content for pyrolysis is 15% but anything up to 19% is OK. Wetter material can be used during the middle of the burn if the fire is going well
9. A high volume of biochar can be produced in a few hours. The volume yield is about 45% and mass yield about 17%, comparable to other kilns and gasifiers that produce a high temperature biochar.
10. Nutrient charging can be conveniently done during charring, quenching or post-production right in the kiln. Add,eg. sea minerals such as liquid kelp or SEA-90, molasses, blood and bone et al
11. Quenching liquid and nutrients can be easily captured and recycled or used for multiple purposes via a drain at the base of the cone.
12. Agronomic trials show the Kon-Tiki system to be especially effective for improving crop yield.
13. Relatively little training required to safely and effectively use the Kon-Tiki.
14. Clean up your property, and enjoy the fire while making valuable biochar.
15. The Kon-Tiki provides heat from biochar production, which can be developed for other purposes (e.g. cooking, water purification, drying, distillation of essential oils etc.)

Who can use the Kon-Tiki biochar kiln?

• Small property holders, farmers, Foresters, sawmill operators and others with readily available feedstock, stranded biomass.
• Landowners and agencies concerned with toxic water and land pollution and remediation.
• Gardeners, farmers, and community gardens seeking greater yield and healthier more nutrient density crops.
• Entrepreneurs seeking early entry into the biochar revolution and market.

Feedstock

According to Dr Paul Taylor, it takes 1 hour per inch or 20-25 minutes per cm to pyrolyse to the centre of a piece of wood. For eg., for a 10cm diameter it would take nearly 2 hours, so you have to stop adding the big wood at least 2 hours before finishing. An ideal top size might be 6-8cm diameter for the 1.2m Kon-Tiki biochar kiln. An electric log splitter to split up the big stuff makes for a better run, but there is flexibility and you can find what is efficient and clean for the wood and moisture content you have. Bigger, wetter or variable just takes more time, care and smoke.

Biochar Kiln Range – Specifications & Price List

Professional, Durable, High‑Output Biochar Production

Our kilns are designed for long life, ease of use, and reliable biochar production. With strong steel construction, integrated emptying systems, and simple bolt‑together assembly, they offer exceptional value for small farms, estates, and commercial producers.

To Biochar Kiln and all the various sizes available 

To Trial packs of Bio-char and wood Vinigar!