Charcoal, made by burning pieces of wood until all that's left is charcoal, is a great choice for cooking meals outside the home. The price of wood charcoal in supermarkets is a little expensive, if you want to save money try making your own. Learn how to make wood charcoal using the two methods below.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Lighting a Fire
Step 1. Determine a place where you can make a fire
You can light a fire in the backyard, or you can use another place after asking permission first. Check the rules around you about this.
Step 2. Prepare the metal drum
This drum is where you will insert the wood. Choose the size of the drum according to your needs, depending on the amount of charcoal you want to make. Make sure your drum has a fire-tight lid.
Step 3. Select the wood that you will make charcoal
What type of wood do you want to use to make charcoal? Choose wood that is dry. Cherry wood, oak wood, all you can use. Find out if there are people selling wood in your area, or buy one at a local shop. Cut the wood into 4-inch pieces.
Step 4. Fill the drum with dry wood
Fill the drum with wood up to the top. Close the drum tightly, but do not make it airtight.
Step 5. Prepare to light the fire
Buy or collect wood to make a fire that will burn for 3-5 hours. Light the fire at the place you choose. Dig a hole in the center to place the drum. Put the drum in it, and cover it with wood.
Step 6. Turn on the fire
Leave it on for 3 hours, or more, if you're using a large wooden drum. Let the fire burn to completion and cool down before you approach the drum.
Step 7. Lift the wood charcoal
When you open the lid of the drum, you will see the wood charcoal. Use it to cook a variety of foods that you like.
Method 2 of 2: Using Two Drums
Step 1. Purchase a small drum and a large drum
The small drum should fit into the large drum with enough space left. Use a 30 gallon drum inside, and a 55 gallon drum to accommodate it.
Step 2. Create a fuel line on the large drum
Use a metal saw to make a square cut in the bottom of the large drum. The size can be 12 x 20 inches. You need this hole to feed the fuel into the drum so that the contents stay hot.
Step 3. Make a hole in the bottom of the small drum
This hole is a channel for heat to enter into the smaller drum so that it burns the wood inside. Make a 5 to 6 1/2 inch hole in the bottom of the drum.
Step 4. Fill the small drum with dry wood
Use cherry wood, oak wood that has been cut into 5-inch pieces. Fill the drum, then close it with a small gap so that moist air can escape.
Step 5. Set up a large drum
Place two bricks in the base of the large drum, one on each side. Put two more bricks on top of the first brick. That way, the smaller drum won't touch the bottom of the big drum so you can put fuel in there.
Step 6. Place a small drum on top of the bricks
Make sure this drum can accommodate a large drum, otherwise use smaller bricks or stones as the base. Cover with a small opening for airflow.
Step 7. Turn on the fire in a large drum and keep it on for 7 - 8 hours
Use wood and firewood to make a fire, inserting this material from the hole in the bottom of the drum. While the fire is burning, put in the wood with a larger size.
- Watch the fire; if the fire is low, add more wood.
- You need the fire to be as hot as possible, so keep giving it big wood.
Step 8. Leave it on until it's done
After 7 - 8 hours, impurities, moist air, and gases will burn completely from the wood, leaving pure wood charcoal behind. Let the fire burn out, and all the charcoal in it cool before you approach it.
Step 9. Remove the charcoal
Take the charcoal out of the small drum and save it for your later use.
Tips
Be patient, the process of removing the gas will take a very long time
Warning
- Do not touch the drum until the fire is completely extinguished. If it is not completely finished, and the charcoal gets air, the fire will rekindle.
- Don't get caught in the fire; Keep fire and hot objects away from children.
- Make sure the drum cover is slightly open when starting the fire so that the gas can escape without increasing the air pressure inside.
