Studio Process & Material Making > Charcoal

Pieces of dry wood have been cut to size and placed in metal containers with lids, which will be wrapped with wire to secure them. A single hole will be punched in the lid, allowing for hot air to escape when placed in the fire.

Pieces of dry wood have been cut to size and placed in metal containers with lids, which will be wrapped with wire to secure them. A single hole will be punched in the lid, allowing for hot air to escape when placed in the fire.

(Altoid and tea tins are good sizes for making charcoal.)

2019

A fire is built around the tins and maintained for at least 1 hour.

A fire is built around the tins and maintained for at least 1 hour.

2019

The tins of wood (now charcoal) are left in the coals of the fire. As the fire dies down, the tins are left to cool before removing.

The tins of wood (now charcoal) are left in the coals of the fire. As the fire dies down, the tins are left to cool before removing.

2019

Once the fire is out and the metal tins have fully cooled, the charcoal can be retrieved.

Once the fire is out and the metal tins have fully cooled, the charcoal can be retrieved.

2019

Tins of charcoal removed from the fire

Tins of charcoal removed from the fire

2019

Charcoal test #1

Charcoal test #1

2019

Charcoal test #2

Charcoal test #2

2019

Different types of wood and vines produce charcoals with varying softness and darkness.

Different types of wood and vines produce charcoals with varying softness and darkness.

2019