How to Make your Own Lump Charcoal for Grilling on the Deck
Lump charcoal is an all-natural product that doesn’t contain chemicals. As such, it is healthier, better for the environment, and provides a better flavor for your foods. Fortunately, making your own lump charcoal for grilling on the deck with is also fairly easy.
Gather Materials
You’ll need:
- 55-gallon drum with lid
- 30-gallon drum with lid
- 4 fire bricks
- Fist-sized pieces of wood (enough to fill the 30-gallon barrel)
Preparing the Drums
Prepare your drums for burning by:
- Drilling several small holes in the bottom of the 30-gallon drum
- Cutting a “feeder hole” in the side of your 50-gallon drum. The ideal size for this hole is around 10 inches high by 18 inches wide.
- Placing the fire bricks in a square in the bottom of your larger drum to create a stand for the smaller one to sit on.
- Situating the small drum on the brick stand and filling it with the smaller chunks of wood
- Place several small pieces of wood inside the feeder hole in your large drum. You may use a fire starter or newspaper to help get the fire going. After the fire starts burning, place the lid on your 30-gallon drum, leaving it cracked slightly so that air can escape. Next, place the lid on your 55-gallon drum, leaving it slightly cracked as well.
Keep the Fire Burning
Continue stoking the fire for several hours to produce lump charcoal. After burning for around four hours, close the lid of the 55-gallon drum tightly. Your fire should continue to burn strong for an additional four to five hours before letting the fire slowly burn out on its own.
Cooling the Charcoal
Once the fire goes out, allow your barrels to cool completely, which can take as long as 14 hours. When you are ready to access your charcoal, gently open the lid to the outer barrel and ensure the inner barrel is cool to the touch before removing it.
After cooling completely, your lump charcoal is then ready to use. You may scoop it directly from the barrel or separate the pieces according to size. Separating the pieces is recommended if you plan to use it in a very large smoker or grill, since bigger chunks work better in those units.
Making your own lump charcoal is something many people enjoy doing, particularly those who are competitive grillers, because of the delicious flavor it gives food. If you’re a grilling enthusiast, the only thing you need aside from lump charcoal is the right deck to cook out on. To see the latest deck plans, contact us.
