Day in the Life of a Wood Gas Driver, Part 1

Reader Contribution by Chris Saenz
Published on January 21, 2014
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For the past two years I have driven around for free, using scrap wood instead of gasoline. It’s a daily challenge, and yet remains the most rewarding choice I’ve ever made. Wood gasification represents independence to me; only a few folks can thumb their nose at the gas stations and keep driving. Several of us are now doing so, thanks to Wayne Keith over at Drive On Wood, the wood gas community website. One of our catch phrases is “smile with every mile” or SWEM. And it’s true! It puts a smile on my face every time. But this daily pleasure comes with a lot of work.

Start Your Wood Gasification Engines!

Every time I take a short trip to the post office, it’s about a 5-minute procedure to get rolling. Wood gasifiers are much like wood stoves, in that they need a fire to be lit, and it takes time to warm up. Fortunately they are designed to heat up fast and without needing “kindling” – there is always a layer of charcoal ready to burn.

So when I’m ready to go, I’ll put the mail in the truck, and open some valves up. Off comes the lid, and I run fans to create a draft. Lighting the gasifier with a propane torch is fast and easy. And at this point I add a 12-pound bag of wood, close the lid, and let the fans heat up the fire. I watch the output of the wood gas (it has a peculiar odor), and once satisfied I will crank up and head out. By the time I make my round trip of about 10 miles, most of the wood I added will be gone.

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