Wood Gasifier Builder--39-s Bible- Transform Tree Branches Into Apr 2026

A gasoline engine expects vaporized liquid fuel. Wood gas is dry and has a different air-to-fuel ratio (about 1.2:1 by volume, compared to gasoline’s 14.7:1).

John McGrath’s original “Bible” has now been scanned and shared online. A free PDF version, including dimensional drawings and parts lists for three different gasifier sizes, is available through the Open Gasifier Project. A gasoline engine expects vaporized liquid fuel

John McGrath, a homesteader in the Appalachian foothills, had spent three days clearing storm-damaged oak from his back forty. The trunk went to the sawmill. The branches—tons of them—went into a smoldering, smoky burn pile. That night, watching the news report on diesel prices hitting $5.50 a gallon, he did the math. He was literally burning energy to get rid of energy. A free PDF version, including dimensional drawings and

“I felt like a caveman,” he says. “Digging a hole to bury gold.” The branches—tons of them—went into a smoldering, smoky

From the branch, a flame you cannot see. From that flame, the power to move mountains of stone. And from that power, freedom from the pump.