How do you make a paper charcoal?

Gather your materials:

- Sheets of white paper (regular printer paper works well)

- A metal container with a lid (such as a baking tin or a fireproof box)

- A pair of tongs or heat-resistant gloves

- A heat source (such as a stovetop, campfire, or kiln)

Prepare the paper:

1. Tear the paper sheets into small pieces or strips. This will help them burn more evenly.

Create a paper nest:

2. Place the torn paper pieces loosely inside the metal container. Avoid packing them too tightly as it can restrict airflow and affect the burning process.

Seal the container:

3. Close the lid of the metal container tightly to create an airtight environment. This will prevent oxygen from entering and help the paper carbonize.

Heat the container:

4. Place the sealed metal container over the heat source. The temperature should be high enough to cause the paper to ignite, but not so high that it burns too quickly.

5. Leave the container over the heat for 15-30 minutes, or until you can see smoke coming out from under the lid. This indicates that the paper is undergoing pyrolysis and turning into charcoal.

Allow the charcoal to cool:

6. Remove the container from the heat source using tongs or heat-resistant gloves. Be careful as the container and its contents will be very hot.

7. Let the container cool down completely before opening it. This can take several hours.

Collect the paper charcoal:

8. Once the container is cool, open it and retrieve the paper charcoal pieces. They should be black, brittle, and lightweight.

Store the paper charcoal:

9. Store the paper charcoal in a sealed container, away from moisture, to prevent it from catching fire or breaking down.

Note:

The paper charcoal you make can be used for various purposes, such as cooking, art, drawing, or even as a fuel source for small fires.