Solid output from dry wood
Start with oven-dry or planning dry wood weight and get charcoal, fines, ash, and residual loss in one view.
Charcoal Yield Calculator
Estimate charcoal, fines, ash, and residual loss from dry wood weight, kiln type, target charcoal grade, and feedstock group.
The model is meant for planning. It helps you compare kiln options, feedstock mixes, and charcoal grades without leaving the browser.
Dry wood basis
Kiln-aware output
Global units
Shareable setup
Current profile
Results
Calculations stay in the browser.
Charcoal
Estimated range
Fines
Share of dry wood
Ash
Assumptions
Safety notes
- This calculator is for planning only. It is not a guarantee, certificate, or compliance judgment.
- Follow your kiln safety rules, ventilation procedure, and fire control practice first.
- Use dry wood weight, not wet or freshly cut wood weight.
- Compare jobs with the same dry basis, unit, kiln type, and feedstock group.
What this tool estimates
Kiln and grade aware
Change the kiln type and target charcoal grade to see how recovery and fines change.
Ready for global use
Work in kg, lb, t, US ton, or UK ton and share the same setup with a URL.
How to use
- Enter the dry wood weight first and choose the working unit.
- Pick the kiln type, target charcoal grade, and feedstock group.
- Review charcoal, fines, ash, solid recovery, and residual loss.
- Copy the result or share the URL when you need the same setup again.
Brick kiln, standard charcoal, mixed feedstock
Input Dry wood 1,000 kg / brick kiln / standard charcoal / mixed feedstock
Output Charcoal 223 kg, fines 18 kg, ash 10 kg, residual 750 kg
Retort kiln, white charcoal, hardwood
Input Dry wood 2,000 lb / retort kiln / white charcoal / hardwood
Output Charcoal 485 lb, fines 45 lb, ash 34 lb, residual 1,436 lb
Planning basis and assumptions
Dry wood weight is normalized to kg first, then converted back to the selected output unit.
Base solid recovery = dry wood × kiln factor × grade factor × feedstock factor.
Charcoal, fines, and ash are split from the solid recovery by grade-based ratios with small kiln and feedstock adjustments.
Residual loss = dry wood - (charcoal + fines + ash).
Unknown selections widen the range so the estimate stays conservative.
Formulas
Dry wood weight is normalized to kg first.
Base solid recovery = dry wood × kiln factor × grade factor × feedstock factor.
Charcoal = base solids × charcoal share.
Fines = base solids × fines share.
Ash = base solids × ash share.
Residual = dry wood − (charcoal + fines + ash).
Range = value × (1 ± spread).
Glossary
Dry wood weight
The dry-mass basis used for the calculation.
Fines
Small fragments and powder that are not counted as usable lump charcoal.
Ash
Inorganic residue that remains after carbonization and cooling.
Residual loss
Gas, tar, steam, and other losses that do not remain as solid product.
Solid recovery
The sum of charcoal, fines, and ash recovered from the dry wood input.
Range
A conservative high-low band based on the selected kiln, grade, and feedstock.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same wood give different results?
Kiln type, target grade, and feedstock group change the recovery profile and the split between charcoal, fines, and ash.
Can I use wet wood weight?
No. The calculator is built on dry wood weight. If you only know wet weight, convert it before using the tool.
Are the values exact?
No. They are planning estimates. Moisture, species, carbonization control, packing, and cooling losses can all change the result.
Do you support tons and pounds?
Yes. The same model works in kg, lb, t, US ton, and UK ton.
What happens when I choose Unknown?
The calculator still works, but the range widens so the result stays conservative until you can confirm the condition.
Notes
- This calculator is for planning, not certification or guaranteed output.
- Dry wood means the basis you use for planning, not freshly cut or green wood.
- Compare jobs with the same unit basis so the numbers stay meaningful across sites and countries.
- Your inputs, local state, and shareable query stay in the browser unless you copy them out.