Charcoal is made by burning pieces of wood until all impurities disappear and only the charcoal remains, and is perfect for cooking with the barbecue outdoors. The one you find in the supermarket can be quite expensive, so making it yourself is a simple and inexpensive choice. Continue reading this tutorial to learn how to make charcoal using two different methods.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Lighting a Bonfire
Step 1. Find an area where you can start a bonfire
You can do this in the garden or you need to find another safe place and get a permit. Check the ordinances of your municipality of residence regarding open flames.
Step 2. Get a metal bin
This is the container where you will put the wood. You can use a large or small one, depending on how much charcoal you need to prepare. Make sure it has a fire resistant lid.
Step 3. Choose the type of wood to make the charcoal
The best type for this purpose is the well-seasoned one. You can use cherry, oak or walnut, they are all valid solutions. Ask the neighbors if they have any wood to sell, or go to the gardening or home improvement store. You need to get enough of it to fill the cylinder completely. Break the wood into blocks of 10 cm on each side.
Step 4. Fill the bin with seasoned wood
Try to compact the various blocks well so that the whole container is full, then put the lid on. You have to press the cap hard enough for it to stay in place without getting a hermetic seal.
Step 5. Get ready to light the bonfire
Buy or collect extra wood to make a fire that burns for at least 3-5 hours. Set up the fire in the spot you chose earlier. In the center of the bonfire leave a hole for the container. Insert the cylinder into the hole and cover it with more wood.
Step 6. Light the bonfire
Keep feeding it for at least three hours or more, especially if you've used a large metal cylinder with lots of wood. Let the fire go out on its own and allow the container to cool before you approach it.
Step 7. Remove the charcoal
When you open the lid, you will see a large amount of freshly made charcoal. Use it for your barbecues for the rest of the summer.
Method 2 of 2: Use two containers
Step 1. Purchase a large metal bin and a smaller one
The second must fit into the first leaving a lot of space at the edges. Use a 113 L internal container and a 208 L external container.
Step 2. In the large bin, cut out an opening to fuel the combustion
Use a hacksaw for the metal and cut a rectangular opening of about 30x50 cm. Thanks to this window you can feed the fire and keep the temperature inside the cylinders high.
Step 3. Drill holes in the base of the small container
These allow extreme heat to enter the small cylinder thus "cooking" the wood inside. Make 5-6 1.5cm holes in the bottom of the container.
Step 4. Fill the small cylinder with seasoned wood
The ideal would be cherry, oak or walnut wood broken into blocks of 10 cm on each side. Try to fill the container well, leaving no gaps. Put the lid on but break it or puncture it to allow moisture to escape.
Step 5. Prepare a support inside the large cylinder
Insert two flat bricks on the bottom, one on each side. Lay two more bricks on top of the first, crosswise. By doing this, the smaller container does not touch the bottom of the large cylinder and you gain enough space to feed the fire.
Step 6. Place the small container on the holder
Make sure it fits snugly into the large cylinder; if not, use bricks or smaller stones to make the support. Put the lid on the large cylinder as well, leaving slits for the air flow.
Step 7. Light a bonfire inside the large bin and let it burn for 7-8 hours
For this fire, use twigs and wood that you can insert through the opening you made earlier in the bottom of the container. As the fire settles, use larger wood blocks.
- Constantly monitor the bonfire; when you notice that the flames are reduced, add more wood.
- You need the most intense heat possible, so keep putting very dense wood.
Step 8. Wait for the flames to go out
After 7-8 hours, the impurities, humidity and gases were eliminated from the wood, leaving only pure charcoal. Wait for the bonfire to go out and for the whole "system" to cool completely before approaching it.
Step 9. Remove the charcoal
Transfer it from the small cylinder to a container and keep it for future use.
Advice
Be patient; the "cooking" process could take many hours
Warnings
- Do not remove the can until the fire is completely extinguished. If the charcoal, which is only partially ready, receives enough air, it will start to burn.
- Don't get burned; keep children away from flames and hot objects.
- Make sure the lid is pierced when you light the fire so the gases can escape and prevent pressure build-up.
