# Charcoal

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Lightweight black carbon residue

For other uses, see [Charcoal (disambiguation)](/source/Charcoal_(disambiguation)).

Charcoal

 Packaging of charcoal for export in [Namibia](/source/Namibia)

**Charcoal** is a lightweight black [carbon](/source/Carbon) residue produced by strongly heating [wood](/source/Wood) (or other [animal](/source/Animal) and [plant](/source/Plant) materials) in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this [pyrolysis](/source/Pyrolysis) process, called charcoal burning, often by forming a [charcoal kiln](/source/Charcoal_kiln), the heat is supplied by burning part of the starting material itself, with a limited supply of [oxygen](/source/Oxygen).[1] The material can also be heated in a closed [retort](/source/Retort). Modern charcoal [briquettes](/source/Briquettes) used for outdoor cooking may contain many other additives, e.g. [coal](/source/Coal).

The early history of wood charcoal production spans [ancient times](/source/Ancient_history), rooted in the abundance of wood in various regions. The process typically involves stacking wood billets to form a conical pile, allowing air to enter through openings at the bottom, and igniting the pile gradually. [Charcoal burners](/source/Charcoal_burner), skilled professionals tasked with managing the delicate operation, often lived in isolation to tend their wood piles.[2][*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Throughout history, the extensive production of charcoal has been a significant contributor to deforestation, particularly in regions like Central Europe. However, various management practices, such as [coppicing](/source/Coppicing), aimed to maintain a steady supply of wood for charcoal production. The scarcity of easily accessible wood resources eventually led to the transition to fossil fuel equivalents like coal.

Modern methods of charcoal production involve carbonizing wood in retorts, yielding higher efficiencies compared to traditional kilning methods. The properties of charcoal depend on factors such as the material charred and the temperature of carbonization.

Charcoal finds diverse applications, including metallurgical fuel in [iron](/source/Iron) and [steel](/source/Steel) production, industrial fuel, cooking and heating [fuel](/source/Fuel), [reducing agent](/source/Reducing_agent) in chemical processes, and as a raw material in [pyrotechnics](/source/Pyrotechnics). It is also utilized in [cosmetics](/source/Cosmetics), [horticulture](/source/Horticulture), [animal husbandry](/source/Animal_husbandry), [medicine](/source/Medicine) using [activated charcoal](/source/Activated_charcoal_(medication)), and [environmental sustainability](/source/Environmental_sustainability) efforts, such as [carbon sequestration](/source/Carbon_sequestration).

However, the production and utilization of charcoal can have adverse environmental impacts, including deforestation and emissions.[3] Illegal and unregulated charcoal production, particularly in regions like South America and Africa, poses significant challenges to environmental conservation efforts.

## History

Further information: [Fusain](/source/Fusain) and [Fossil record of fire](/source/Fossil_record_of_fire)

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### Charcoal pile

Main article: [Charcoal pile](/source/Charcoal_pile)

[An abandoned charcoal kiln](/source/Walker_Charcoal_Kiln) near [Walker, Arizona](/source/Walker%2C_Arizona), US

Wood pile before covering with [turf](/source/Sod) or soil, and firing it (c. 1890)

The production of wood charcoal in locations where there is an abundance of wood dates back to ancient times. It generally began with piling billets of wood on their ends to form a conical pile. Openings were left at the bottom to admit [air](/source/Air), with a central shaft serving as a [flue](/source/Flue). The whole pile was covered with turf or moistened [clay](/source/Clay). The firing began at the bottom of the flue, and the fire gradually spread outward and upward.

The traditional method in [Britain](/source/Great_Britain) used a [charcoal pile or clamp](/source/Charcoal_pile).[4] This was essentially a pile of wooden logs (e.g. seasoned oak) leaning in a circle against a chimney. The chimney consisted of 4 wooden stakes held up by some rope. In the clamp too the logs were completely covered with soil and straw allowing no air to enter. It must be lit by introducing some burning fuel into the chimney. The logs burned slowly and transformed into charcoal over a period of 5 days. If the soil covering became torn or cracked by the fire, additional soil was placed on the cracks. Once the burn was complete, the chimney was plugged to prevent air from entering.

#### Charcoal burners

Main article: [Charcoal burner](/source/Charcoal_burner)

The true art of this production method was in managing the sufficient generation of heat, by combusting part of the wood material, and the transfer of the heat to the wood in the process of being carbonized. The operation was so delicate that it was generally left to *colliers* (professional charcoal burners). They often lived alone in small huts to tend their wood piles. For example, in the [Harz Mountains](/source/Harz_Mountains) of Germany, [charcoal burners](/source/Charcoal_burner) lived in conical [huts](/source/Huts) called *[Köten](/source/K%C3%B6te)* which still exist today.[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

#### Low efficiency and harmful emissions

The success of the operation depends upon the rate of the [combustion](/source/Combustion). Under average conditions wood yields about 60% charcoal by [volume](/source/Volume), or 25% by [weight](/source/Weight);[5] small-scale production methods often yield only about 50% by volume, while large-scale methods enabled higher yields of about 90% by the 17th century. A strong disadvantage of this production method is the huge amount of emissions that are harmful to human health and the environment (emissions of unburnt methane).[6] As a result of the partial combustion of wood material, the efficiency of the traditional method is low.

### Peak of production and decline

#### Deforestation and scarcity

The massive production of charcoal (at its height employing hundreds of thousands, mainly in Alpine and neighbouring forests) was a major cause of [deforestation](/source/Deforestation), especially in [Central Europe](/source/Central_Europe).[7][*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] Complaints (as early as the [Stuart period](/source/Stuart_period_(England))) about shortages may stem from [over-exploitation](/source/Over-exploitation) or the impossibility of increasing production to match growing demand. In [England](/source/England), many woods were managed as [coppices](/source/Coppice), which were cut and regrown cyclically, so that a steady supply of charcoal was available. But the increasing scarcity of easily harvested wood was a major factor behind the switch to [fossil fuel](/source/Fossil_fuel) equivalents, mainly [coal](/source/Coal) and [brown coal](/source/Lignite) for industrial use.

#### By-product of wood tar production

In [Finland](/source/Finland) and [Scandinavia](/source/Scandinavia), charcoal was considered the by-product of [wood tar](/source/Wood_tar) production. The best tar came from [pine](/source/Pine), thus pinewoods were cut down for tar [pyrolysis](/source/Pyrolysis). The residual charcoal was widely used as substitute for [metallurgical](/source/Metallurgy) [coke](/source/Coke_(fuel)) in [blast furnaces](/source/Blast_furnace) for [smelting](/source/Smelting). Tar production led to rapid local deforestation. The end of tar production at the end of the 19th century resulted in rapid re-forestation of affected areas.

#### Charcoal briquette

The American form of the [charcoal briquette](/source/Briquette) was first invented and patented by Ellsworth B. A. Zwoyer of Pennsylvania in 1897[8] and was produced by the Zwoyer Fuel Company. The process was further popularized by [Henry Ford](/source/Henry_Ford), who used wood and sawdust byproducts from [automobile fabrication](/source/History_of_Ford_Motor_Company#Early_developments_and_assembly_line) as a [feedstock](/source/Feedstock). Ford Charcoal went on to become the [Kingsford Company](/source/Kingsford_(charcoal)).

## Production methods

Charcoal under a microscope. Different colors correspond to different relief. Only a charred skeleton remains of the wood cells after charring.

The modern process of carbonizing wood, either in small pieces or as [sawdust](/source/Sawdust) in [cast iron](/source/Cast_iron) [retorts](/source/Retort), is extensively practiced where wood is scarce, and also for the recovery of valuable byproducts ([wood spirit](/source/Wood_spirit), [pyroligneous acid](/source/Pyroligneous_acid), [wood tar](/source/Tar)), which the process permits. The question of the [temperature](/source/Temperature) of the [carbonization](/source/Carbonization) is important; according to J. Percy, wood becomes brown at 220 °C (430 °F), a deep brown-black after some time at 280 °C (540 °F), and an easily powdered mass at 310 °C (590 °F). Charcoal made at 300 °C (570 °F) is brown, soft and friable, and readily inflames at 380 °C (720 °F); made at higher temperatures it is hard and brittle, and does not fire until heated to about 700 °C (1,300 °F).[5][9]

Modern methods employ retorting technology, in which process heat is recovered from, and solely provided by, the combustion of gas released during carbonization.[10] Yields of retorting are considerably higher than those of kilning, and may reach 35%-40%.

The properties of the charcoal produced depend on the material charred. The [charring](/source/Charring) temperature is also important. Charcoal contains varying amounts of hydrogen and oxygen as well as [ash](/source/Wood_ash) and other impurities that, together with the structure, determine the properties. The approximate composition of charcoal for [gunpowders](/source/Gunpowder) is sometimes empirically described as C7H4O.[11] To obtain a coal with high purity, source material should be free of non-volatile compounds.

Wood charcoal is obtained as the residue by [destructive distillation](/source/Destructive_distillation) of wood such that the products are:

- Liquid products – [pyroligneous acid](/source/Pyroligneous_acid) and wood tar[12]

- Gaseous products – [wood gas](/source/Wood_gas)

- Residual product – wood charcoal

## Types

*[Binchōtan](/source/Binch%C5%8Dtan)*, Japanese high grade charcoal made from *[ubame oak](/source/Quercus_phillyraeoides)*

*[Ogatan](/source/Biomass_briquettes#Japanese_Ogalite)*, charcoal briquettes made from sawdust

- **Common charcoal** is made from peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum.

- **[Sugar charcoal](/source/Sugar_charcoal)** is obtained from the carbonization of sugar and is particularly pure. It is purified by boiling with acids to remove any mineral matter and is then burned for a long time in a current of chlorine to remove the last traces of hydrogen.[5] It was used by [Henri Moissan](/source/Henri_Moissan) in his early attempt to create [synthetic diamonds](/source/Synthetic_diamond).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- **[Activated charcoal](/source/Activated_carbon)** is similar to common charcoal but is manufactured especially for medical use. To produce activated charcoal, common charcoal is heated to about 900 °C (1,700 °F) in the presence of an inert gas (usually argon or nitrogen), causing the charcoal to develop many internal spaces, or "pores", which help the activated charcoal to trap chemicals. Impurities on the surface of the charcoal are also removed during this process, greatly increasing its [adsorption](/source/Adsorption) capacity.

- **Lump charcoal** is a traditional charcoal made directly from [hardwood](/source/Hardwood) material. It usually produces far less ash than briquettes.

- **Japanese charcoal** has had [pyroligneous acid](/source/Pyroligneous_acid) removed during the charcoal making; it therefore produces almost no smell or smoke when burned. The traditional charcoal of Japan is classified into three types: - [White charcoal](/source/Binch%C5%8Dtan) (*[Binchōtan](/source/Binch%C5%8Dtan)*) is hard and produces a metallic sound when struck. - [Black charcoal](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_charcoal&action=edit&redlink=1) [[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%BB%92%E7%82%AD)] - [Ogatan](/source/Biomass_briquettes#Japanese_Ogalite) is a more recent type made from hardened sawdust.

- **Pillow shaped [briquettes](/source/Briquette)** are made by compressing charcoal, typically made from sawdust and other wood by-products, with a binder and other additives. The binder is usually [starch](/source/Starch). Briquettes may also include [brown coal](/source/Brown_coal) (heat source), mineral carbon (heat source), [borax](/source/Borax), [sodium nitrate](/source/Sodium_nitrate) (ignition aid), [limestone](/source/Limestone) (ash-whitening agent), raw [sawdust](/source/Sawdust) (ignition aid), and other additives.

- **Sawdust briquette charcoal** is made by compressing sawdust without binders or additives. It is the preferred charcoal in Taiwan, Korea, Greece, and the Middle East. It has a round hole through the center, with a hexagonal cross-section. It is used primarily for barbecue as it produces no odor, no smoke, little ash, high heat, and has a long burning time (exceeding 4 hours).

- **Extruded charcoal** is made by extruding either raw ground wood or carbonized wood into logs without the use of a binder. The heat and pressure of the extruding process hold the charcoal together. If the extrusion is made from raw wood material, the extruded [logs](/source/Timber) are subsequently carbonized.

## Uses

Charcoal burning

Grill charcoal made from coconut shell

Charcoal for sale in Mozambique, Africa – a common household fuel

Charcoal has been used since earliest times for a large range of purposes including art and medicine, but by far its most important use has been as a metallurgical fuel. Charcoal is the traditional fuel of a blacksmith's forge and other applications where an intense heat is required. Charcoal was also used historically as a source of black [pigment](/source/Pigment) by grinding it up. In this form charcoal was important to early chemists and was a constituent of formulas for mixtures such as [black powder](/source/Black_powder). Due to its high [surface area](/source/Surface_area), charcoal can be used as a filter, [catalyst](/source/Carbocatalysis), or [adsorbent](/source/Adsorbent).

### Metallurgical fuel

Main article: [Smelting](/source/Smelting)

Charcoal burns at temperatures exceeding 1,100 degrees Celsius (2,010 degrees Fahrenheit).[13] By comparison, the melting point of [iron](/source/Iron) is approximately 1,200 to 1,550 °C (2,190 to 2,820 °F). Due to its porosity, it is sensitive to the flow of air and the heat generated can be moderated by controlling the air flow to the fire. For this reason charcoal is still widely used by blacksmiths. Charcoal has been used for the production of iron and [steel](/source/Steel) (where it also provided the necessary carbon) since at least 2000 [BCE](/source/BCE), with artifacts having been found in Proto-Hittite layers at [Kaman-Kalehöyük](/source/Kaman-Kaleh%C3%B6y%C3%BCk).[14] Charcoal briquettes can burn up to approximately 1,260 °C (2,300 °F) with a forced air blower forge.[15]

In the 16th century, England had to pass laws to prevent the country from becoming completely denuded of trees due to production of iron.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In the 19th century charcoal was largely replaced by coke in steel production due to cost, even though coke usually adds sulphur and sometimes other deleterious contaminants to the pig iron. Wooded metallurgical regions devoid of coal like Sweden, the Urals, or Siberia transitioned from charcoal in the early 20th century.

### Cooking and heating fuel

Bags of charcoal in Ghana

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, charcoal was occasionally used as a cooking [fuel](/source/Fuel). It is counted as a [smokeless fuel](/source/Smokeless_fuel); that is, the carbon is sufficiently pure that burning it causes substantially less air pollution than burning the original uncarbonized organic material would. In the 20th century, clean-air legislation mandated smokeless fuels (mostly coke or charcoal) in many areas of Europe. In the 21st century, charcoal has been advocated as a way to improve the health of people burning raw biomass for [cooking](/source/Cooking) and/or heating. Modern "charcoal" briquettes, widely used for outdoor cooking, are made with charcoal but may also include coal as an energy source as well as accelerants, binders and filler.

To contain the charcoal and use it for cooking purposes, a [barbecue grill](/source/Barbecue_grill) may be used. A small Japanese charcoal grill is known as a *[shichirin](/source/Shichirin)*. A [brazier](/source/Brazier) is a container used to burn charcoal or other solid fuel.

To start the charcoal burning is harder than starting a wood fire and [charcoal lighter fluid](/source/Charcoal_lighter_fluid) may be employed. A [chimney starter](/source/Chimney_starter) or [electric charcoal starter](/source/Electric_charcoal_starter) are tools to help with starting to light charcoal.

Approximately 75% of fuel burned in [Haiti](/source/Haiti) is charcoal.[16]

### Reducing agent

Certain types of charcoal, such as wood charcoal, are used in [carbothermic reactions](/source/Carbothermic_reaction) to reduce heated metallic oxides to their respective metals.[17] For example:

- ZnO + C → Zn + CO

- Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO

Charcoal can also be in [gasification](/source/Gasification) used to reduce super heated steam to hydrogen (along with the formation of carbon monoxide).[18] For example:

- C + H2O (1000 °C) → H2 + CO ([Water gas](/source/Water_gas))

### Syngas production, automotive fuel

Like many other sources of carbon, charcoal can be used for the production of various [syngas](/source/Syngas) compositions; i.e., various CO + H2 + CO2 + N2 mixtures. The syngas is typically used as fuel, including automotive propulsion, or as a chemical feedstock.

In times of scarce petroleum, automobiles and even buses have been converted to burn wood gas: a gas mixture consisting primarily of diluting [atmospheric](/source/Atmospheric) [nitrogen](/source/Nitrogen), but also containing combustible gasses (mostly [carbon monoxide](/source/Carbon_monoxide)) released by burning charcoal or wood in a [wood gas generator](/source/Wood_gas_generator). In 1931, [Tang Zhongming](/source/Tang_Zhongming) developed an automobile powered by charcoal, and these cars were popular in China until the 1950s, and in [occupied France](/source/Occupied_France) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II), where they were called *[gazogènes](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazog%C3%A8ne)*.

### Pyrotechnics

Mangrove charcoal burning video

Charcoal is used in the production of [black powder](/source/Gunpowder), which is used extensively in the production of fireworks. It is usually ground into a fine powder, with air float grade being the finest particle size available commercially. When used in black powder compositions, it is often ball-milled with other ingredients so that they are intimately mixed together. Certain charcoals perform better when used to make black powder; these include spruce, willow, paulownia and grapevine among others.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Charcoal produces fine dark orange/golden [sparks](/source/Spark_(fire)). Usually, powder with a mesh size from 10 to 325 is used to obtain showers of golden sparks in pyrotechnic compositions.[19]

### Cosmetic use of bamboo charcoal

Charcoal is also incorporated in multiple cosmetic products. It can be produced from regular bamboo cut into small pieces and boiled in water to remove soluble compounds. Raw [bamboo charcoal](/source/Bamboo_charcoal) is obtained after drying and carbonization in an oven at elevated temperature. The role of charcoal in cosmetics is based on its highly effective absorbing properties at a microscopic scale.[20]

### Carbon source

Charcoal may be used as a source of carbon in chemical reactions. One example of this is the production of [carbon disulphide](/source/Carbon_disulphide) through the reaction of sulfur vapors with hot charcoal. In that case, the wood should be charred at high temperature to reduce the residual amounts of hydrogen and oxygen that lead to side reactions.

### Purification and filtration

Activated carbon

Charcoal for [dehumidification](/source/Dehumidification) and [air purification](/source/Air_purification) in bathroom

Charcoal may be *activated* to increase its effectiveness as a filter. [Activated charcoal](/source/Activated_charcoal) readily adsorbs a wide range of organic compounds dissolved or suspended in gases and liquids. In certain industrial processes, such as the purification of sucrose from cane sugar, impurities cause an undesirable color, which can be removed with activated charcoal. It is also used to absorb [odors](/source/Odor) and toxins in gaseous solutions, as in home air purifiers and some types of [gas mask](/source/Gas_mask). The medical use of activated charcoal is mainly the [absorption](/source/Absorption_(chemistry)) of [poisons](/source/Toxin).[21] Activated charcoal is available without a prescription, so it is used for a variety of health-related applications. For example, it is often used to reduce discomfort and embarrassment due to excessive gas ([flatulence](/source/Flatulence)) in the digestive tract.[22]

Animal charcoal or bone black is the carbonaceous [residue](/source/Residue_(chemistry)) obtained by the dry distillation of bones. It contains only about 10% carbon, the remaining being calcium and [magnesium](/source/Magnesium) phosphates (80%) and other inorganic material originally present in the bones. It is generally manufactured from the residues obtained in the [glue](/source/Animal_glue) and [gelatin](/source/Gelatin) industries. Its bleaching power was applied in 1812 by Derosne for clarifying [sugar](/source/Sugar) [syrup](/source/Syrup), but its use in this direction has now greatly diminished. Today it is seldom used for this purpose due to the introduction of more active and easily managed reagents, but it is still employed to some extent in [laboratory](/source/Laboratory) practice. The bleaching action of the charcoal in solution diminishes as it adsorbs colored contaminants, and it must be reactivated periodically by separate washing and reheating.[5] While wood charcoal effectively removes some pigments and contaminants from solutions, bone charcoal is generally more effective as an adsorption filter due to its increased porosity and surface area.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Medicine

See also: [Activated charcoal (medication)](/source/Activated_charcoal_(medication))

[Charcoal pile](/source/Charcoal_pile)

Charcoal in the form of [charcoal biscuits](/source/Charcoal_biscuit) was consumed in the past for gastric problems. It can be consumed in tablet, capsule, or powder form for digestive effects.[23] Research regarding its effectiveness is controversial.[24][25] It is usually used in [poison control](/source/Poison_control) by neutralizing toxins.[26]

Charcoal has been used in combination with [saccharin](/source/Saccharin) in research to measure [mucociliary](/source/Mucociliary_clearance) transport time.[27]

Charcoal has also been incorporated into [toothpaste](/source/Toothpaste) formulas; however, there is no evidence to determine its safety and effectiveness.[28]

[Red colobus](/source/Red_colobus) monkeys in Africa have been observed eating charcoal for self-medication. Because their leafy diets contain high levels of [cyanide](/source/Cyanide), which may lead to indigestion, they learned to consume charcoal, which absorbs the cyanide and relieves discomfort. This knowledge is transmitted from mother to infant.[29]

### Art

Four sticks of vine charcoal and four sticks of compressed charcoal

Two charcoal pencils in paper sheaths that are unwrapped as the pencil is used, and two charcoal pencils in wooden sheaths

Main article: [Charcoal (art)](/source/Charcoal_(art))

[Charcoal](/source/Charcoal_(art)) is used for [drawing](/source/Drawing), making rough [sketches](/source/Sketch_(drawing)) in [painting](/source/Painting), and is one of the possible media used for making a [parsemage](/source/Surrealist_techniques#Parsemage). It usually must be preserved by the application of a [fixative](/source/Fixative_(drawing)). Artists generally utilize charcoal in four forms:

- **Vine charcoal** is created by burning grapevines.

- **Willow charcoal** is created by burning willow sticks.

- **Powdered charcoal** is often used to "tone" or cover large sections of a drawing surface. Drawing over the toned areas darkens it further, but the artist can also lighten (or completely erase) within the toned area to create lighter tones.

- **Compressed charcoal** is charcoal powder mixed with gum [binder](/source/Binder_(material)) and compressed into sticks. The amount of binder determines the hardness of the stick.[30] Compressed charcoal is used in charcoal [pencils](/source/Pencil).

### Horticulture

Main article: [Biochar](/source/Biochar)

One additional use of charcoal was rediscovered recently[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] for [horticulture](/source/Horticulture). Although American gardeners have used charcoal for a short time, [research](/source/Research) on [Terra preta](/source/Terra_preta) soils in [Amazonia](/source/Amazonia) has discovered the widespread use of [biochar](/source/Biochar) by [pre-Columbian](/source/Pre-Columbian) natives to ameliorate unproductive [soil](/source/Soil) into soil rich in [carbon](/source/Carbon). The technique may find modern application, both to improve soils and as a means of [carbon sequestration](/source/Carbon_sequestration).[31]

### Animal husbandry

Charcoal is mixed with feed, added to [litter](/source/Poultry_litter), or used in the treatment of [manure](/source/Manure).[32] Poultry benefits from using charcoal in this manner.[33][34]

A concern that activated charcoal might be used unscrupulously to allow livestock to tolerate low quality feed contaminated with [aflatoxins](/source/Aflatoxin) resulted in the Association of American Feed Control Officials banning it in 2012 from use in commercial livestock feeds.[35]

## Environmental impact

Bagged Charcoal in Bole [Bamboi](/source/Bamboi), Ghana

Production and use of charcoal, like any use of woody biomass as fuel, typically results in emissions and can contribute to deforestation.

The use of charcoal as a smelting fuel has been experiencing a resurgence in [South America](/source/South_America) resulting in severe environmental, social and medical problems.[36][37] Charcoal production at a sub-industrial level is one of the causes of deforestation. Charcoal production is now usually illegal and nearly always unregulated, as in [Brazil](/source/Brazil), where charcoal production is a large illegal industry for making [pig iron](/source/Pig_iron).[38][39][40]

Massive forest destruction has been documented in areas such as [Virunga National Park](/source/Virunga_National_Park) in the [Democratic Republic of Congo](/source/Democratic_Republic_of_Congo), where it is considered a primary threat to the survival of the mountain gorillas.[41] Similar threats are found in [Zambia](/source/Zambia).[42] In [Malawi](/source/Malawi), illegal charcoal trade employs 92,800 workers and is the main source of heat and cooking fuel for 90 percent of the nation's population. Some experts, such as Duncan MacQueen, Principal Researcher–Forest Team, [International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)](/source/International_Institute_for_Environment_and_Development), argue that while illegal charcoal production causes deforestation, a regulated charcoal industry that required replanting and sustainable use of the forests "would give their people clean efficient energy – and their energy industries a strong competitive advantage".[43]

Assessments of charcoal imported to Europe have shown that many charcoal products are produced from tropical wood, often of undeclared origin. In an analysis of barbecue charcoal marketed in Germany, the [World Wildlife Fund](/source/World_Wildlife_Fund) found that most products contain tropical wood. As a notable exception, reference is made to barbecue charcoal imports from [Namibia](/source/Namibia), where charcoal is typically produced from surplus biomass resulting from [woody plant encroachment](/source/Woody_plant_encroachment).[44][45][46] [Charcoal trafficking in Somalia](/source/Charcoal_trafficking_in_Somalia) is an economic and environmental issue with significant regional-security implications.[47]

## In popular culture

The last section of the film *[Le Quattro Volte](/source/Le_Quattro_Volte)* (2010) gives a good and long, if poetic, documentation of the traditional method of making charcoal.[48] The [Arthur Ransome](/source/Arthur_Ransome) children's series *[Swallows and Amazons](/source/Swallows_and_Amazons_series)* (particularly the second book, *[Swallowdale](/source/Swallowdale)*) features carefully drawn vignettes of the lives and the techniques of charcoal burners at the start of the 20th century, in the [Lake District](/source/Lake_District) of the UK. [Antonín Dvořák's](/source/Anton%C3%ADn_Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k) opera *[King and Charcoal Burner](/source/King_and_Charcoal_Burner)* is based on a Czech legend about a king who gets lost in a forest and is rescued by a charcoal burner. In *[Kingdom Come: Deliverance](/source/Kingdom_Come%3A_Deliverance)* videogame charcoal burning landscapes, structures, and workers of 15th-century Bohemia are widely depicted.

## See also

- [Biomass briquettes](/source/Biomass_briquettes)

- [Char cloth](/source/Char_cloth)

- [Charcoal in food](/source/Charcoal_in_food)

- [Ember](/source/Ember)

- [Slash-and-char](/source/Slash-and-char)

- [Thomas Britton](/source/Thomas_Britton) (1644 – 1714), small coal merchant of London, noted for his singing voice.

- [Tortillon](/source/Tortillon)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Kammen, Daniel M.; [Lew, Debra](/source/Debra_Lew) (2005). [*Review of Technologies for the Production and Use of Charcoal*](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237577160). Berkeley, California, USA: University of California, Energy and Resources Group & Goldman School of Public Policy. p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Charcoal Burners | Legendary Dartmoor"](http://web.archive.org/web/20220528191500/https://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/char_coal.htm). *Legendary Dartmoor*. 20 March 2016. Archived from [the original](https://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/char_coal.htm) on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Africa's charcoal economy"](https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/05/01/africas-charcoal-economy). *The Economist*. Retrieved 31 May 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Geoarch"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040315062219/http://www.geoarch.co.uk/experimental/charcoal.html). Geoarch. 31 May 1999. Archived from [the original](http://www.geoarch.co.uk/experimental/charcoal.html) on 15 March 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EB1911charcoal_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EB1911charcoal_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EB1911charcoal_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-EB1911charcoal_5-3) One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). "[Charcoal](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Charcoal)". *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 856.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Roland.V. Siemons, Loek Baaijens, An Innovative Carbonization Retort: Technology and Environmental Impact, TERMOTEHNIKA, 2012, XXXVIII, 2, 131‡138 131"](http://www.cleanfuels.nl/Sitepdfs/Siemons_inovativne-posude-za-karbonizaciju-tehnologija-i-uticaj-na-okolinu.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Ray, G.F. (July 1979). "Energy economics — a random walk in history". *Energy Economics*. **1** (3): 139–143. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1979EneEc...1..139R](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1979EneEc...1..139R). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/0140-9883(79)90044-6](https://doi.org/10.1016%2F0140-9883%2879%2990044-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Barbeque – History of Barbecue"](http://inventors.about.com/od/inventionsalphabet/a/barbecue.htm). Inventors.about.com. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Carbonisation processes"](http://www.fao.org/3/x5328e/x5328e05.htm#TopOfPage). FAO. Retrieved 21 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Kilning vs. Retorting: the cause of emissions of unburnt gases"](http://www.cleanfuels.nl/Sitepics/Kilning-principle.png).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Chicago section, American Chemical Society- (2 July 2020). ["The chemistry of firework colours"](https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoACS/photos/in-spirit-of-july-4th-here-is-a-nice-infographic-from-compoundchem-on-the-chemis/3587563844590314/?http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2NzgwMzQxMDAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0%3D).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Pyroligneous Acid or Wood Vinegar"](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pyroligneous-acid-or-wood-vinegar/). *[Scientific American](/source/Scientific_American)*. 14 November 1857. Retrieved 14 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Munoz, Gabriella (26 April 2018). ["How Hot Is a Bonfire?"](https://sciencing.com/hot-bonfire-8770.html). Sciencing. Retrieved 13 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Akanuma, Hideo (2008). ["The significance of Early Bronze Age iron objects from Kaman-Kalehöyük, Turkey"](http://www.jiaa-kaman.org/pdfs/aas_17/AAS_17_Akanuma_H_pp_313_320.pdf) (PDF). *Anatolian Archaeological Studies*. **17**. Tokyo: Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology: 313–320.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Cheng, Zhilong; Yang, Jian; Zhou, Lang; Liu, Yan; Wang, Qiuwang (January 2016). "Characteristics of charcoal combustion and its effects on iron-ore sintering performance". *Applied Energy*. **161**: 364–374. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016ApEn..161..364C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016ApEn..161..364C). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.09.095](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2015.09.095).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Lea, John Dale Zach (25 January 2017). ["Charcoal Is Not the Cause of Haiti's Deforestation | Haiti Liberte"](https://haitiliberte.com/charcoal-is-not-the-cause-of-haitis-deforestation/). Retrieved 16 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Surup, Gerrit Ralf; Trubetskaya, Anna; Tangstad, Merete (9 November 2020). ["Charcoal as an Alternative Reductant in Ferroalloy Production: A Review"](https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fpr8111432). *Processes*. **8** (11): 1432. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3390/pr8111432](https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fpr8111432). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10344/9459](https://hdl.handle.net/10344%2F9459). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2227-9717](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2227-9717).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Wu, Hsuan-Chih; Ku, Young (2016). ["Chemical Looping Gasification of Charcoal with Iron-Based Oxygen Carriers in an Annular Dual-Tube Moving Bed Reactor"](https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-15-05-oa-0298). *Aerosol and Air Quality Research*. **16** (4): 1093–1103. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016AAQR...16.1093W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016AAQR...16.1093W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4209/aaqr.2015.05.0298](https://doi.org/10.4209%2Faaqr.2015.05.0298). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2071-1409](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2071-1409).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-stars_19-0)** Kenneth L. Kosanke; Bonnie J. Kosanke (1999), ["Pyrotechnic Spark Generation"](https://books.google.com/books?id=e4GOAIA8HaEC&pg=PA49), *Journal of Pyrotechnics*: 49–62, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-889526-12-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-889526-12-6), [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171216222210/https://books.google.com/books?id=e4GOAIA8HaEC&pg=PA49) from the original on 16 December 2017{{[citation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Citation)}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_work_parameter_with_ISBN))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ahmad-2016_20-0)** Ahmad, N; Isa, S.S.M.; Ramli, M.M.; Hambali, N.A.M.A.; Kasjoo, S.R.; Isa, M.M.; Nor, N.I.M.; Khalid, N. (2016). ["Adsorption properties and potential applications of bamboo charcoal: A Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180724183931/https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2016/41/matecconf_icongdm2016_01097.pdf) (PDF). *MATEC Web of Conferences*. **78**: 1–7. Archived from [the original](https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2016/41/matecconf_icongdm2016_01097.pdf) (PDF) on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018 – via edp sciences.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Dawson, Andrew (1997). ["Activated charcoal: a spoonful of sugar"](https://doi.org/10.18773%2Faustprescr.1997.008). *Australian Prescriber*. **20**: 14–16. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.18773/austprescr.1997.008](https://doi.org/10.18773%2Faustprescr.1997.008).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Treating flatulence"](http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flatulence/Pages/Treatment.aspx). *NHS*. NHS UK. Retrieved 27 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-stearn2007_23-0)** Stearn, Margaret (2007). [*Warts and all: straight talking advice on life' embarrassing problems*](https://books.google.com/books?id=aSRmxC47VNMC). London: Murdoch Books. p. 333. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-921259-84-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-921259-84-5). Retrieved 3 May 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Ohge, Hiroki; Furne, Julie K.; Springfield, John; Ringwala, Sumit; Levitt, Michael D. (February 2005). ["Effectiveness of Devices Purported to Reduce Flatus Odor"](https://journals.lww.com/ajg/abstract/2005/02000/effectiveness_of_devices_purported_to_reduce.22.aspx). *The American Journal of Gastroenterology*. **100** (2): 397–400. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40631.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1572-0241.2005.40631.x). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [15667499](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15667499).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Suarez, Fabrizis L; Furne, Julie; Springfield, John; Levitt, Michael D (January 1999). "Failure of Activated Charcoal to Reduce the Release of Gases Produced by the Colonic Flora". *American Journal of Gastroenterology*. **94** (1): 208–212. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.00798.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1572-0241.1999.00798.x). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [9934757](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9934757).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Isbister, Geoffrey K.; Friberg, Lena E.; Stokes, Barrie; Buckley, Nicholas A.; Lee, Christopher; Gunja, Naren; Brown, Simon G.; MacDonald, Ellen; Graudins, Andis; Holdgate, Anna; Duffull, Stephen B. (November 2007). "Activated Charcoal Decreases the Risk of QT Prolongation After Citalopram Overdose". *Annals of Emergency Medicine*. **50** (5): 593–600.e46. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.03.009](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.annemergmed.2007.03.009). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [17719135](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17719135).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PubMed.gov_27-0)** Passali, Desiderio (1984). "Experiences in the determination of nasal mucociliary transport time". *Acta Otolaryngol*. **97** (3–4): 319–23. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3109/00016488409130995](https://doi.org/10.3109%2F00016488409130995). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [6539042](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6539042).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Brooks, John K.; Bashirelahi, Nasir; Reynolds, Mark A. (September 2017). "Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices". *The Journal of the American Dental Association*. **148** (9): 661–670. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.adaj.2017.05.001](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.adaj.2017.05.001). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [28599961](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28599961).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Clever Monkeys: Monkeys and Medicinal Plants"](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/clever-monkeys-monkeys-and-medicinal-plants/3957/). PBS. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["charcoal: powdered, compressed, willow and vine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120831055917/http://museartanddesign.com/2011/09/charcoal-powdered-compressed-willow-and-vine/). *Muse Art and Design*. 7 September 2011. Archived from [the original](http://museartanddesign.com/2011/09/charcoal-powdered-compressed-willow-and-vine/) on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Johannes Lehmann, ed. (2009). [*Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology*](https://web.archive.org/web/20171211102426/http://www.biochar-international.org/projects/book). Stephen Joseph. [Earthscan](/source/Earthscan). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84407-658-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84407-658-1). Archived from [the original](http://www.biochar-international.org/projects/book) on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Gerlach, Achim; Schmidt, Hans-Peter (2014), ["The use of biochar in cattle farming"](https://www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct/9), *The Biochar Journal*, Arbaz, Switzerland

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Yarrow, David (March 2015). ["Biochar: Helping Everything from Soil Fertility to Odor Reduction"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190609181128/http://www.ecofarmingdaily.com/biochar-poultry-farming-unexpected-uses-biocarbon/). Acres U.S.A. Archived from [the original](http://www.ecofarmingdaily.com/biochar-poultry-farming-unexpected-uses-biocarbon/) on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Schupska Site=CAES News, Stephanie (10 March 2011). ["Charcoal supplemented diet reduces ammonia in chickens' litter"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200730124219/https://www.caes.uga.edu/news-events/news/story.html?storyid=4067). Archived from [the original](http://www.caes.uga.edu/news-events/news/story.html?storyid=4067) on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** [Damerow, Gail](/source/Gail_Damerow) (2015). *The Chicken Health Handbook, 2nd Edition: A Complete Guide to Maximizing Flock Health and Dealing with Disease*. Storey. p. 391. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1612120133](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1612120133).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Michael Smith; David Voreacos (21 January 2007). ["Brazil: Enslaved workers make charcoal used to make basic steel ingredient"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120916015009/http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14328). *Seattle Times*. Archived from [the original](http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14328) on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** M. Kato1, D. M. DeMarini, A. B. Carvalho, M. A. V. Rego, A. V. Andrade1, A. S. V. Bonfim and D. Loomis (2004). ["World at work: Charcoal producing industries in northeastern Brazil"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121122205209/http://oem.bmj.com/content/62/2/128.full). *Occupational and Environmental Medicine*. **62** (2): 128–132. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1136/oem.2004.015172](https://doi.org/10.1136%2Foem.2004.015172). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [1740946](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1740946). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [15657196](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15657196). Archived from [the original](http://oem.bmj.com/content/62/2/128.full) on 22 November 2012.{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list)) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["U.S. car manufacturers linked to Amazon destruction, slave labor"](http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0514-hance-pig-iron-amazon.html#). News.mongabay.com. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Driving Destruction in the Amazon: How steel production is throwing the forest into the furnace"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120520033806/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/driving-destruction/). *[Greenpeace](/source/Greenpeace)*. 11 May 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.greenpeace.org/international/driving-destruction/) on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** The documentary film *The Charcoal People* (2000) [\[1\]](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245034/reviews?ref_=tt_urv) shows in detail the [Deforestation in Brazil](/source/Deforestation_in_Brazil), the poverty of the laborers and their families, and the method of constructing and using a clamp for burning the wood.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Virunga National Park"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081003023434/http://gorilla.cd/). Gorilla.cd. Archived from [the original](http://gorilla.cd) on 3 October 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Living on Earth: Zambia's Vanishing Forests"](http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=94-P13-00009&segmentID=3). Loe.org. 4 March 1994. Retrieved 28 December 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Malawi_43-0)** ["Is charcoal the key to sustainable energy consumption in Malawi?"](http://unearthnews.org/is-charcoal-the-key-to-sustainable-energy-consumption-in-malawi/). *UNEARTH News*. July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Zahnen, Johannes. ["Market Analysis Barbecue Charcoal 2018 - The Dirty Business of Barbecue Charcoal"](https://mobil.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/WWF_Market_analysis_barbecue_charcoal_2018.pdf) (PDF). *WWF*. Retrieved 27 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** ["From Bush to Charcoal: the Greenest Charcoal Comes from Namibia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200727194351/https://fsc.org/en/newsfeed/from-bush-to-charcoal-the-greenest-charcoal-comes-from-namibia). *Forest Stewardship Council*. 17 March 2020. Archived from [the original](https://fsc.org/en/newsfeed/from-bush-to-charcoal-the-greenest-charcoal-comes-from-namibia) on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Haag, Volker; Zemke, Valentina Theresia; Lewandrowski, Tim; Zahnen, Johannes; Hirschberger, Peter; Bick, Ulrich; Koch, Gerald (11 September 2020). "The European charcoal trade". *IAWA Journal*. **41** (4): 463–477. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1163/22941932-bja10017](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F22941932-bja10017).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Gridneff, Ilya (2018). "Burning Somalia's Future". *Environmental Politics in the Middle East*. pp. 121–148. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/oso/9780190916688.003.0006](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Foso%2F9780190916688.003.0006). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-091668-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-091668-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** ["Le quattro volte (2010)"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646975/). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

## External links

Look up ***[charcoal](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/charcoal)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

- Media related to [Charcoal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Charcoal) at Wikimedia Commons

- ["Charcoal"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Charcoal). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 856.

- [Simple technologies for charcoal making](http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5328e/x5328e00.htm)

- ["On Charcoal" by Peter J F Harris](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/030801899678966)

- [Charcoal Making at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania - U.S. National Park Service](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtIr0FI4vbo) (YouTube video)

- [Illustrated how-to](https://web.archive.org/web/20170809141714/http://www.worldwidehelpers.org/wwhweb/uploads/files/Fuel%20from%20the%20Fields-%20Charcoal%20from%20Agricultural%20Waste.pdf)

- [Charcoal carbonization furnace's production process](https://charcoalmachines.com/charcoal-carbonization-furnaces-production-process/)

- [Experiments with varied techniques, illustrated](https://web.archive.org/web/20150911103902/https://wiki.duke.edu/display/engineerswithoutborders/Biomass+Charcoal)

- ["Charcoal - An Environmental Disaster"](https://www.dw.com/en/charcoal-an-environmental-disaster/av-50155336) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190829051400/https://www.dw.com/en/charcoal-an-environmental-disaster/av-50155336) 29 August 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), a 2019 [Deutsche Welle television program](/source/DW-TV) documenting the charcoal production industry in [Africa](/source/Africa) and [Europe](/source/Europe) and related industries, environmental consequences of the use and production of charcoal, and efforts toward sustainability; narrated in English

v t e Wood products Lumber/ timber Batten Beam Bressummer CLS Cruck Flitch beam Flooring Joist Lath Log building Log cabin Log house Molding Panelling Plank Plate Post Purlin Rafter Railroad ties Reclaimed Shingle Siding Sill Stud Timber truss Treenail Truss Utility pole Engineered wood Cross-laminated timber Glued laminated timber veneer LVL parallel strand I-joist Fiberboard hardboard Masonite MDF Oriented strand board Oriented structural straw board Particle board Plywood Structural insulated panel Wood–plastic composite lumber Fuelwood Charcoal biochar Firelog Firewood Pellet fuel Wood fuel Fibers Cardboard Corrugated fiberboard Paper Paperboard Pulp Pulpwood Rayon Derivatives Birch-tar Cellulose nano Hemicellulose Cellulosic ethanol Dyes Lignin Liquid smoke Lye Methanol Pyroligneous acid Pine tar Pitch Sandalwood oil Tannin Wood gas By-products Barkdust Black liquor Ramial chipped wood Sawdust Tall oil Wood flour Wood wool Woodchips Historical Axe ties Bavin (wood) Billet (wood) Clapboard Dugout canoe Potash Sawdust brandy Split-rail fence Tanbark Timber framing Wooden masts See also Biomass Certified wood Destructive distillation Dry distillation Engineered bamboo Forestry Green building and wood List of woods Mulch Non-timber forest products Natural building Papermaking Reclaimed lumber Timber recycling Wood drying Wood preservation Wood processing Woodworking Yakisugi Category Commons WikiProject Forestry

v t e Allotropes of carbon sp3 forms Diamond (cubic) Lonsdaleite (hexagonal diamond) sp2 forms Graphite Graphene Fullerenes, including C60 (buckminsterfullerene), C70, Fullerene whiskers, Nanotubes, Nanobuds, Nanoscrolls) Glassy carbon sp forms Linear acetylenic carbon C 6 (cyclo[6]carbon) C 18 (cyclo[18]carbon) mixed sp3/sp2 forms Amorphous carbon Carbon nanofoam Carbide-derived carbon Q-carbon other forms C 1 (atomic carbon) C 2 (diatomic carbon) C 3 (tricarbon) hypothetical forms C 3 (cyclopropatriene) C 6 (prismane C8) Chaoite Haeckelites Cubic carbon Metallic carbon Penta-graphene related Activated carbon Carbon black Charcoal Carbon fiber Aggregated diamond nanorod Gas carbon

Authority control databases International GND National United States Japan Czech Republic Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Charcoal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.