I tested a charcoal retort based on the Hookway retort method using only primitive materials. A normal retort is one in which the sealed chamber of wood is inside a furnace and the heat drives off the volatiles converting it to charcoal. The Hookway retort, invented by James Hookway (see original video: • The best charcoal retort kiln in the ... ) has furnace, a metal pipe, inside the sealed... see more