Hobbies And Interests
Locate Wood
Locate pine roots, stumps and closed cones. Many of the best parts of the tree to extract tar from are left-over parts that can be gotten from fallen trees that have been recently blown down or cut down. Cut the pieces that you find into pieces no larger that 5 cm in diameter.
Arrange the Wood in a Pot
Put the wood pieces in a Dutch oven or a stainless steel pot. Wedge the wood pieces into the pot so that they are tightly packed together; you will eventually turn the pot over, and you want to make sure that the pieces do not fall out.
Create a Drain System
Build a draining station in your work area with a piece of plywood just larger than your pot; drill holes into it at one end that will allow liquid to flow through it. Prop the wood up on one side against rocks, bricks or a block of wood so that it sits at an angle. The bottom of the angled plywood will have the holes cut or drilled into it. Place a metal container to catch liquid at the end of the plywood board that is not propped up.
Heat the Wood to Draw Out the Tar
Cover the lid of your Dutch oven or pot with a thick layer of clay, which can be purchased at a hobby supply store or a store that specializes in ceramics. Build a fire under the clay-covered pot or Dutch oven. As the fire burns, the tar will begin to flow from the wood in the pot as it heats. Be aware that it could take up to 30 minutes to draw two to three cups of tar from the wood pieces.
Collect the Tar
After 30 minutes, remove the clay from the pot by hand or by tapping with a small hammer if it hardens. Place it upside down on the side of the plywood that has been raised to allow the tar to flow downward into the container at the bottom of the angled plwood.