Traditional Wood Charcoal Making Process

Wood charcoal is a product produced through the process of burning wood with limited oxygen (pyrolysis). The traditional process of making charcoal has been carried out by people since ancient times. 

Apart from being used for cooking, charcoal also has various other benefits, such as industrial fuel, absorbent in filters, and various other applications. Making charcoal using the traditional method is done using a simple method, but is still effective and environmentally friendly.

Materials and Tools Required

To make traditional wood charcoal, some of the materials and tools needed include:

1. Wood

Choose a hard type of wood, such as teak, mahogany, or acacia, because hard wood produces denser and higher quality charcoal.

2. Kiln

Usually made of clay, stone, or metal with thick walls to retain heat.

3. Burning Equipment

This can be a campfire or other traditional stove that can regulate the combustion temperature.

4. Ventilation

To ensure combustion runs well, sufficient ventilation is needed so that the smoke can escape smoothly.

Preparation of Wood for Burning

Before starting the burning, choose dry wood because wet wood produces a lot of smoke and is difficult to burn. Cut the wood into small sizes for burning efficiency, then arrange the wood regularly in the stove so that air can flow properly.

Wood Burning Process

At this stage, the wood is put into the stove and the combustion is carried out with limited oxygen, so that the fire does not burn big. The heat from the fire will turn the wood into charcoal, a process that takes several hours to days, depending on the type of wood and the size of the stove.

During burning, the temperature in the furnace must be maintained not too high, so that the wood does not burn down to ash. This process requires constant monitoring to ensure optimal charcoal quality.

Charcoal Processing After Burning