How To Make Charcoal At Home
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For thousands of years, humans have been making charcoal, learning along the way that the harder the wood, the higher the quality of the charcoal produced. But why should you bother making your own charcoal when you can easily buy it? Well, if you regularly use charcoal, you might be surprised at how much you can save by making it yourself. Store-bought charcoal can add up, costing around $8 a week, which translates to about $400 a year. That’s a significant expense, especially when you consider how easy and affordable it is to make your own at home.
One of the biggest advantages of making your own charcoal is the quality. Hardwood lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than the standard briquettes found in stores. It also lights faster and doesn’t have the fillers or chemicals that some briquettes contain. When you make your own, you know exactly where it came from, what materials were used, and the process it went through, giving you peace of mind about the fuel you’re using for your cooking or heating needs.
Homemade charcoal is especially beneficial for grilling or smoking, as it provides a more consistent, hotter burn without adding any unwanted flavors to your food. Plus, if you have access to hardwood, the process of making your own charcoal is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to repurpose fallen or unwanted trees.
Benefits of Making Your Own Charcoal:
- Cost Savings: Save hundreds of dollars each year by making your own charcoal instead of buying expensive lump charcoal from the store.
- Cleaner Burn: Homemade charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than store-bought briquettes, and it doesn’t contain any fillers or chemicals.
- Control Over Materials: Know exactly what wood you’re using and avoid any additives that might affect the quality of your cooking.
Making your own charcoal at home is a simple process that can be done with just a few tools and some time. Once you’ve got your method down, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. Check out the guide below to learn how you can start making charcoal at home.
