How to Make Charcoal
Locate an area where you can build an outdoor fire., Get a metal drum., Pick out wood to make into charcoal., Fill the drum with the cured wood., Prepare to light a bonfire., Burn the bonfire., Remove the lump coal.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Locate an area where you can build an outdoor fire.
You may be able to do this in your backyard, or you may need to secure a different site with a permit.
Check your city's ordinances on outdoor fires. -
Step 2: Get a metal drum.
This is the container into which you'll put the wood.
Choose a drum as large or as small as you'd like, depending on how much charcoal you want to make.
Make sure it has a flame-proof lid. , What type of wood do you want to use for your charcoal? Choose wood that has been cured.
Cherry wood, oak wood, or hickory wood all work well.Check around to see if people in your area have wood for sale, or pick up some at a home and garden supply store.
You'll need enough to fill up your drum to the top.
Chop the wood into 4-inch pieces., Pack the drum tightly with wood, and fill it all the way to the top.
Put the lid on the drum.
It should close well enough to stay in place, but you don't want it to be airtight. , Buy or gather extra wood to make a bonfire that will burn for 3
- 5 hours.
Build it up on your chosen site.
Leave a hole in the middle for the drum.
Put the drum in the hole and cover it with more wood., Keep it going for at least 3 hours, more if you're using a large drum packed with wood.
Let the fire completely burn out and cool down before approaching the drum. , When you open the lid, you'll see a fresh batch of pure lump coal.
Use it to grill for the rest of the summer. -
Step 3: Pick out wood to make into charcoal.
-
Step 4: Fill the drum with the cured wood.
-
Step 5: Prepare to light a bonfire.
-
Step 6: Burn the bonfire.
-
Step 7: Remove the lump coal.
Detailed Guide
You may be able to do this in your backyard, or you may need to secure a different site with a permit.
Check your city's ordinances on outdoor fires.
This is the container into which you'll put the wood.
Choose a drum as large or as small as you'd like, depending on how much charcoal you want to make.
Make sure it has a flame-proof lid. , What type of wood do you want to use for your charcoal? Choose wood that has been cured.
Cherry wood, oak wood, or hickory wood all work well.Check around to see if people in your area have wood for sale, or pick up some at a home and garden supply store.
You'll need enough to fill up your drum to the top.
Chop the wood into 4-inch pieces., Pack the drum tightly with wood, and fill it all the way to the top.
Put the lid on the drum.
It should close well enough to stay in place, but you don't want it to be airtight. , Buy or gather extra wood to make a bonfire that will burn for 3
- 5 hours.
Build it up on your chosen site.
Leave a hole in the middle for the drum.
Put the drum in the hole and cover it with more wood., Keep it going for at least 3 hours, more if you're using a large drum packed with wood.
Let the fire completely burn out and cool down before approaching the drum. , When you open the lid, you'll see a fresh batch of pure lump coal.
Use it to grill for the rest of the summer.
About the Author
Emma Peterson
Experienced content creator specializing in DIY projects guides and tutorials.
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