[Terrapreta] bio-oils or creasote

[Janice Stettler]

I am somewhat confused about these condensate oils from the charcoal making process.  For the last 20+ years I've heated my house in winter with wood.  If I fail to meticulously control air input, charcoal results and creosote builds in my chimney.  This is a tar-like substance, flammable at high temperatures (deliberate chimney fires are the means to clear it), and still of commercial value in treating wood in ground contact, i.e., rail-road ties, telephone poles, etc.. This commercial use of creosote is because of its anti-microbial, anti-fungal properties--it's toxic to micro-organism and an irritant to human skin.  As a result, it's difficult to imagine these condensate products as beneficial to plant life.  Someone please clarify.


Tony Stettler
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