How to Make Charcoal Briquettes

Nothing represents summer like the smell of hamburgers cooking over a grill using charcoal. The smell of roasting meat makes your saliva glands react. You can make your own charcoal briquettes instead of using the ones bought in the store, which contain harmful additives and can alter the taste of the food.

1. Gather some wood pieces. Cut them into small chunks if they are long. Make sure the wood is not wet.

2. Get a metal bucket that has a lid. Remove the rubber gaskets from the lid. The gaskets are what seals and keeps the bucket free of air. They must be removed because they will melt during the process. Punch three or four holes in the lid for air intake. The holes should be one inch wide and close to the center of the lid.

3. Place the bucket on top of concrete blocks or bricks to keep the bucket from touching the ground.

4. Wad a bunch of cardboard or newspaper and place it into the bottom of the bucket. A few sheets will do.

5. Put in a couple of pieces of kindling wood and light it. Kindling wood is strips of wood used to light a fire.

6. Add your wood pieces once the fire is burning strong.

7. Place the lid over the bucket and place a weight such as a brick on top of it when the smoke changes from yellow-white to wispy blue. Allow the bucket to sit for 24 hours.

8. Remove the lid from the bucket and remove all chunks of charcoal. Store them in a dry container.

9. Make a paste with cornstarch and water. It does not matter how much you use as long as it forms a paste. Stir the ingredients over heat until it is thick. Add the charcoal dust from the bucket to the paste. Add as much charcoal as possible to form a gooey paste. Place it into egg cartons. Allow the paste to dry. The charcoal briquettes will be ready to use in one week.