Making Charcoal from Scratch

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Here is a very simple yet effective way of Making Charcoal from Scratch. Using very little in the way of equipment if is a gret way you make charcoal for either, Blacksmith work, General Blacksmithing, Charcoal Forge, Cookinig wether using Hibachi or BBQ grill, Rosting Pit or smoking for flavour.

[@hookahcharcoal3565]

It 's truly an effective way of making charcoal ,very nice of you to share this way with us!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Hookah, Pleased you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment. I appreciate the feedback. Cheers Steve

[@silver-hy6mi]

Hi Steve great video, brought back a lot of memories from 40 years ago were a mate and I use it burn malley roots and tree to make charcoal for chicken shops and for pharmaceutical companies in Adelaide. But we dug big pits!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

The old ways are always the best. :) Cheers Steve

[@happychad1548]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass sir greetings from the Philippines.i am a Filipino Christian religion I known that you are my fellow christian.but I respect your work I hope that God will give you a more strength .God bless you

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@happychad1548 Hi Vincent, Thanks Look after yourself God Bless you and your people. Cheers Steve

[@happychad1548]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass yes I will bless you God bless even you are an old man God bless you I hope you need also a rest of your body .God bless you my dear greetings from the Philippines .may the lord has give you more strength

[@gilbertoramos8756]

Hi Steve! This is a great vid to follow through with some friends. Will probably use it for a good old fashioned cookout. Always enjoy your vids from good old Texas!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks Gilberto. Hope you enjoy eat what you cook as well. Cheers Steve

[@Improveng1]

Thanks Steve and Bob, great stuff.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks Stan, pleased you enjoyed it. Appreciate the feedback. Cheers Steve and Bob

[@dylnnlaneproduction3095]

It is just me or does any older male Australian accent sound soothing

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Dylnn, Depends if you get us anger I guess?? :) Cheers Steve

[@maitlandmoore6426]

No , your just slowly coming out and you've something about the Aussies .

[@floydhanson2749]

Dad voice haha

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Just you

[@keegangarrett329]

I know im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a way to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I love any tips you can give me

[@weta-linetv5354]

Great video, much appreciated. I love bob.

[@michaelclark2840]

"A bog standard 44 gallon drum". Gotta love Aussie youtubers. I have made charcoal myself using a similar method for our forge. I need to make some more and I'm thinking perhaps wrapping the drum in kaol wool to help really keep the heat in the drum. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

G'day Maaaate! Yes Michael Aussies do have a unique grasp on what we think is the English language. Thanks for the comment, it is a great way to make charcoal and very cost effective. Let me know how your next burn goes with the wool insulation. Cheers Steve

[@ajwhittlebang6977]

Took a while but by the end of the video I remembered where I knew you (and Bob) from. Thanks for the video. Great to see a familiar pair of faces.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi AJ, I'm honored to be remembered, Bob, not so much, he expects it! Pleased you liked the videos more to come. Cheers Steve

[@antontonable]

Thank you for taking the time to make the video, it was a learning experience for me. :)

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

One for me too Anthony. Was fun to do, now I have an endless supply of charcoal for the forge. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers Steve

[@closertothetruth9209]

Good timing for me , looking into making biochar ( charcoal that has spent quite a bit of time in compost i think) for the veggies etc as Peter Cundall from Gardening Australia said he uses it and makes his veggies grow the best hes ever seen. We have the same crazy grain wood and even worse here in the wheatbelt of WA its a real workout with an axe , we use a hand held block splitter and sledge hammer with a lot of huffing and puffing LOL er frustration and curse words i mean

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Know the feeling of the hand held splitter we use a 6lb one. 8lb works better but I can't swing it for very long or those words you mentioned start tumbling out!!! lol Cheers Steve

[@DexterGG]

Amazing tips!

[@aliasks6559]

Wow! This is the video I never knew I needed in my life! Thanks!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

12 months ago I didn't either. That's what makes live so interesting. Pleased you liked it. Thanks for the comment. Cheers Steve

[@aliasks6559]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass I talked to my mother about that process and it turns out my grandmother made charcoal pretty much the same way but using stove to get the flames going and then transferring the flaming coals to a pot and closing the lid. But I didn't know what exactly was needed to transform a burning log to coal. And that is to remove oxygen from wood. Anyway, great to be a bit smarter again! 😊 Cheers!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@aliasks6559 Not much new is there, it just gets lost in time and then comes around again. What a lovely story that your Mum had to share with you and thanks for sharing it with me. Cheers Steve

[@TheCerberusInferno]

Very interesting video , thanks Steve

[@patrickestrada44]

that brass tip makes a great hammer great vid thanks

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks Patrick, pleased you enjoyed it. Appreciate your feedback. Cheers Steve

[@emeraldfalcon1525]

As soon as you said "G'day" I had to hit like

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Fair Dinkum, Ripper. Cheers Steve

[@yankeecarolyn376]

Australians are cool. They're like unpretentious Englishmen with the great accent but much more ingenious. I like this guy.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Yankee, Right on both counts. I am originally from England, came to OZ when I was 9 so guess the Aussie accent is all mine. :) Cheers Steve

[@c.a.m.6276]

Very nice!!! I will try making it soon in my place, ... say hi to the dog too. Tks for posting (from Brazil)

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Carlos, Bob said WOOOF! and gives a tail wag. Pleased you liked the Video and letting me know. Cheers Steve

[@christofix]

That was nice to watch! thanks for showing us how to make charcoal. This was very interesting!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

You are most welcome, thanks for the feedback. Cheers Steve

[@colleenscottcarmello5103]

ha your darling dog Bob, he wants to carry the wood to the barrel like you were. He was helping pops hahahaha. good boy.. His hands happen to be his mouth.. Love his smiles and his wags..

[@becamicusack3598]

Thank you! This helped!

[@samuelstacey2309]

Great insightful video mate, first of your videos I’ve watched but subscribed now. Bob look like a good boy. From a fellow Brisbanite thankyou sir!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Samuel, Appreciate the Comment and Sub. Bob was a trick and a half but we lost him a couple of years ago but his memory still LIVES! Pleased you enjoyed the vid. Cheers Steve

[@faisalamanullah8585]

Thanks for your teaching

[@hj-briquettemachine1623]

good! We specialize in making different types of carbonization furnaces（charcoal making machine）

[@sickofliberals9403]

I thought this could be done but didn't know how, thanks👍👍

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Pleased to be of assistance. Thanks for letting me know. Hope you get good results. Cheers Steve

[@sickofliberals9403]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass 👍

[@ianmangham4570]

Nice one mate

[@ianmangham4570]

Nice one Bob 🐶

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Ian, Yep he's a scene stealer that one. lol Cheers Steve

[@Monkeymoo1122]

You sir, have a new subscriber. Nice one!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks, Jacksey appreciate it. Cheers Steve

[@maitlandmoore6426]

Me too from chowchilla , California .

[@senyepasnypesmopeli2887]

Can you only use dry wood to make charcoal? If yes, how dry does it have to be? What kind(names) of wood is best for charcoal ( I think I heard you mention bluegum), what other wood?

[@netherpooper7474]

I have another way that is quite easy to do. If you have and use a fireplace, then wait for the fire in it to burn the wood. Move the "molten" wood (orange color) pieces from the fireplace out of the fireplace with either a long wooden stick or long metal stick (make sure the platform their is not carpet, wood or tile). Once you have it out, use kitchen tongs to carry the molten wood chunk and drop it in a durable cup of cool water. Once it stops sissleing in the cup, you can take it out with your hands. And now you have charcoal, but you need to dry it out in like an ovan.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks for the tip, I think it would take quite a long time to fill up a 200 liter drum though. . Cheers Steve

[@netherpooper7474]

Oh it can just be a small metal cup you use for it to work

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@netherpooper7474 True, the container depends on how much Charcoal you want. Thanks for the comment. Cheers Steve

[@Caillousocool]

Thanks for telling me how to make charcoal,I thought you burn the wood and truns into charcoal that's how it works in minecraft. charcoal in minecraft lasts very long so when we go camping we could have the fire last longer. But I didn't believe minecraft so i checked out this video to see if it was true and minecraft was right ,thanks man your a legend.(minecraft is a video game) it's very fun you should check it out

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Yes my Grandsons play it. Although I wish they would play it for real in one of my workshops more fun hitting something with a hammer rather than a controller. :) Cheers Steve

[@davidtrutwin3790]

I use a 20 liter steel pail with the paint burned off, fill with oak or cherry, tighten the lid with a few holes punched or drilled, then put in in my outdoor wood burning furnace with a good hot fire going. Then after a few hours I take it out when the gasses are burned off. Great for the charcoal grill with no glues or chemicals. Ribs, steaks, and hamburgers taste great.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

I'm hungry just reading that David. Cheers Steve

[@gregmundo6107]

Very excellent tutorial, tnx

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Most welcome Greg, Pleased you liked it and I appreciate the comment. Cheers Steve

[@ricksmith9086]

Thank you for the video

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Rick, A pleasure and thanks you reminded me I'll have to makes some more for myself soon. Cheers Steve

[@user-es8tt1kw6q]

மிகச் சிறந்தப் பட பதிவு நன்றி அய்யா

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks. Cheers Steve

[@alans1870]

5:17. I like the way you work.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

lol, I'll bleed for my Art Alan, but not get burnt for it. :) Cheers Steve

[@Caillousocool]

I liked and subscribed

[@kumarranjay2973]

So good

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks Kumar, Pleased you liked it. Cheers Steve

[@planecrazyish]

Excellent

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Pleased you liked it thanks for letting me know. Cheers Steve

[@asdf9890]

Bob is a tube!! Healthy pup lol! Give him a head scratch for me.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi ASDF, He certainly was unfortunately he left us last year but it always in our hearts. Thanks for the comment. Cheers Steve

[@MyAlaska12]

Do you know if you use spruce to make charcoal, is it good for cooking with?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

I guess you could because you can make charcoal out of any wood. Can't comment on cooking though as I have never used it. Try it and see. Cheers Steve

[@hankhill1516]

Why use charcoal when you can use perfectly good propane?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Better heat control over charcoal. Also by making your own it's much cheaper. Cheers Steve

[@Whitey23]

I aint rich homie xd

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@Whitey23 That's another good reason :) Cheers Steve

[@quw1556]

Where my propane

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@quw1556 In another shed. :) Cheers Steve

[@heyimamaker]

When are you starting Metalworking Masterclass? :)

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Got some of the cable today for setting up the cameras and tv monitor. Not sure it will be a Masterclass. Just learning it myself at the moment. Appreciate your confidence though. :) Cheers Steve

[@tothistothat8491]

good idea sir

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Yes very simple but also very effective. Thanks for the comment. Cheers Steve

[@K3Flyguy]

Do you know how to make hard charcoal like they make in Japan? I have great success doing what your doing @ making soft charcoal, but im looking for help making the hard charcoal. Thanks! Nice video!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

No Sorry Michael I have no idea. Cheers Steve

[@Bakkali.Soufian]

hey man nice vid can i use whatever type of wood i want ?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Yes, but make sure it is dry as that reduced the amount of smoke and steam given off and makes for a better end product. Cheers Steve

[@DiscoChixify]

Can this charcoal be used in a water purifier? Like in an emergency would it help? Or does it have to be a special kind of charcoal?

[@DiscoChixify]

@Max Mullets it’s gotta be activated charcoal. I don’t remember this video well enough to know if it fits the bill, but I have since found a handful of ways to get clean water without activated charcoal. The easiest method I found was by putting a clear bag over a branch with lots of green leaves. Tie off the open end so it’s closed around the base of the branch. It’s best to weight the other side by tying a rock to it with a string. The bag will catch the transpiration from the tree and allow that moisture to condense into water. It takes a big bag or/& multiple bags set up in this way to produce enough water for a person to survive though. And it’s best to move it to another section or branch after about 3 days so you don’t kill that portion of the tree by starving it off from the sun. Try to use a tree that has edible fruits and leaves if you have a choice. Some plants like eucalyptus produce oils that are great for the outside of your body but not for the inside.

[@DiscoChixify]

@Max Mullets you can catch rain water and drink that, but small particles of dust or dirt and chemicals from the clouds could still get into it though. You can distill rain water (or any water) by putting it in a container above a fire and then setting up a slanted surface over it that leads into a clean container. With distillation though you always throw out the first portion and last portion, the middle is the cleanest. There are very few toxic chemicals that have the same boiling point as water.

[@skolauprirodi]

Is this charcoil is the same as active carcoil? that people eat?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

From what I understand this can be used as the raw ingredient but other processes are involved. Found this reference on hoe to make it. www.wikihow.com/Make-Activated-Charcoal Know nothing about it so go at your own risk. Cheers Steve

[@gerardogarza8849]

It took me about a good second to figure out what language you were speaking haha

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Gerardo, Stralian, or aussie english. lol Cheers Steve

[@lilseyann1399]

Sir can we use fresh cut wood? Or only the dried one's..

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@lilseyann1399 You will fine wet wood hard to burn and even partially dried timber gives of a lot of stream. So if you can dried wood is much better. Cheers Steve

[@lilseyann1399]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass ok thank you

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@lilseyann1399 Pleased to help. Cheers Steve

[@samdavison1845]

Happy quarantine everyone

[@KK-px4hh]

Which is better? using dry wood directly or using that wood and convert it into coal. Which will give me more energy? I feel coal will have less energy than the dry wood required to make that coal.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

You get a much better burn and cleaner heat from the charcoal than from the raw timber. It's pure carbon not a mixtures of other chemicals or resins. Cheers Steve

[@londonNewyork-zr6rk]

Which binder is best to make charcoal briquettes

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi London, I have no idea, I just make the charcoal and use it in its natural state in the forge. Cheers Steve

[@paulhuston9991]

Odins beard steve! I live your splitting maul!!!

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks it works well Paul. Made from a cypress pine log we got on a recent timber getting trip. Cheers Steve

[@Caillousocool]

shout out to this boi

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi shaji, Thanks for the shout out. Cheers Steve

[@ItsMeScareCro]

What is the purpose of the afterburner? And what kind of wood is the best for making charcoal?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

The afterburner reduces the amount of smoke given off from the burn. It all depends what you are wanting th echrcoal for and where in the world you live as to the spices. I use my charcoal for firing my blacksmiths forge. Therefore I require a Charcoal with little to no ash, for that reason I use Queesnland Blue Gum (Showing results for Queensland Blue Gum Search instead for Queesnland Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis). Cheers Steve

[@ItsMeScareCro]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass - Gotcha! Thanks for replying. :)

[@waveman0]

same principle as making char cloth and charred punk wood for flint and steel. Interesting, I wonder if this would take a spark from a steel striker? I know charcoal (from a fire) will ember up using a magnifying glass in sunlight.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Would require some sort of Oxygen feed as a blower I use on the forge. Cheers Steve

[@waveman0]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass thanks mate for the reply, I am going to explore this furthure.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@waveman0 Let me know your results. Cheers Steve

[@aaronmoon7496]

God I Love HIM

[@carlyleporter5388]

My kinda guy.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Carlyle, Thanks, while many are thinking thing over and considering etc. Getting the job done is the priority. Cheers Steve

[@sashasoule4585]

Trying to make some charcoal for BP, no 50 gal drums for me, just some pots.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Pots are good even a hole in the ground will work fine. Hope you are happy with the results Sasha. Cheers Steve

[@gulaggreens296]

AUSSIE 👍

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

G'day, Yep and that's Fair Dinkum Big Rig. Cheers Steve

[@tmfd9476]

Closed captioning started the video with “get Ice” instead of good day lol

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Tom, G'day! I know I have an accent but didn't think it was that bad?? :) Cheers Steve

[@aravind7601]

Sir can we use any dried wood

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

I can't see why not just do some test burns first. I have lost a lot of wood by leaving it burn for to long. Also decide what you want the charcoal for before you start. Because some woods are better suited to some tasks more than others. Cheers Steve

[@dantevista6914]

How many days to wait untill it became ah charcoal?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Dante, Same day, as soon as the fire goes out. Cheers Steve

[@rogermccaslin5963]

I think Bob was a little disappointed that there wasn't a steak on that BBQ.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

You are so right Roger, everything equates to FOOD in Bob's world! :) Cheers Steve

[@glennknight1599]

Wouldn't be better to do a TLUD ? light the top and let it burn to the bottom that way the upper wood gets heated as it burns further down but seeing the air comes from the bottom there is no oxygen to burn the charcoal

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Glenn, Not sure what TLUD is? But the way I do it does seem to work very well. Cheers Steve

[@alwaysgabriel]

i love bob

[@rockyourbodywithbignastyho7315]

how ya doin mate pretty fuckin skits adventure you took me on CHEERS Mate

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Pleased you enjoyed it Nasty. Cheers Steve

[@hobbitreet]

Your poor dog; he looks so under fed and under loved. :)

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Rob, don't forget underfed as well! :) Cheers Steve

[@candasmith]

Mix match mix mix match mmmm match

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

All the one species give me a more even charcoal. Cheers Steve

[@user-bt9me2vj2t]

Можно с переводом очень интересна

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Благодарность. Cheers Steve

[@wrestlerwannabe]

What exactly does the afterburner do?

[@aliasks6559]

It's a chimney, keeps the airflow and flames going

[@maagu4779]

Audio is poor. Please do a narrative voice over that is audible. Thank you.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi, Sorry for poor sound quality. May film the next lot I make and check the audio better. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Cheers Steve

[@mark78737]

I'm one step closer to making fireworks

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Good to hear Mark. Stay safe. Cheers Steve

[@davidtrutwin3790]

Willow charcoal is best for fireworks charcoal.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@davidtrutwin3790 I use mine for Blacksmithing which has a special sort of fireworks all it's own. Cheers Steve

[@8til826]

Huh aren't u supposed to bake the woods? Haha

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Providing it's cooked well. :) Cheers Steve

[@dallas-cole]

Now let's grill some meat with it

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Dallas, I'll bring the potato salad. lol Cheers Steve

[@not.aakarsh]

loooooooooooooool

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks Aakarsh. Cheers Steve

[@ianmangham4570]

Seriously cranky grain

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi Ian, Definitely is I have rescued some of it and turned a few bowls because it seemed a pity to turn all of it into Charcoal. Cheers Steve

[@lueannalramlogan8004]

😍🛐🛐🛐🛐🛐🛐

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Thanks fro watching. Cheers Steve

[@PJ6300gaming]

1:29 AAAAH! What're ya doing?? You'll smush the orifices on your oxy-fuel torch tip into oblivion if you do that! As a certified welder, this pains me greatly. ;-;

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi PJ, What can I say laziness leads to bad habits. Will discontinue the habit immediately. :) Thanks for pointing it out. Cheers Steve

[@PJ6300gaming]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass No big deal my man! Most of us have our own bad habits in one way or another. Just be careful. ;) Regardless, your video is fantastic and I used your design as a basis for my own charcoal generator.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@PJ6300gaming Great to hear nothing like making your own stuff. Cheers Steve

[@PCongeries]

Dirty and long procedure Business. Better to made BBQ on the wood,very natural and food test is much much better.All the best anywhere

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Use it for Blacksmith work not for cooking and timber won't run a forge. Cheers Steve

[@motherofoblivion7497]

What?

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

?? Got me too. Cheers Steve

[@hoseeyndabighi9751]

سلام ... همه بهم میگن پیر شدی خیلی حرف میزنی حرفشان را قبول نداشتم با دیدن فیلم شما متوجه شدم خیلی حرف میزنم

[@DuzBee]

So you have to burn 80% of your wood to be left with 20% charcoal.... What a waste

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Not really is you count the block of wood left that will be about as many as you put in the difference is that all the moister and impurities have been removed. Leaving 100% carbon block which will burn clean if you are using them for blacksmith work. Very cost effective and a simple solution for making charcoal. Cheers Steve

[@djiwONLINE]

Dude... this is a TERRIBLY unsafe way to do this. OMG... 😶

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi David, Well don't do it . I've never had an issue with it. Just out of interest which part do you feel is unsafe? Cheers Steve

[@jamesevins800]

Why do I get so many SamCart ads? They are so intrusive I feel I would never buy anything associated with SamCart. They will surely burn out and be done in about one more year, maybe two. I sure hope so anyway. I am sick of that meth junkie looking weirdo making me hit my skip ad button so much.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

Hi James I have no idea. Control over ads is KZbin related not to the content provider. Hope the video was OK though. Cheers Steve

[@jamesevins800]

@@Woodworkingmasterclass Yeah it was a great video.

[@Woodworkingmasterclass]

@@jamesevins800 Thanks. Cheers Steve

[@DienNguyen-nq8pr]

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