Charcoal is a very useful fuel. It can be made from twigs and limbs of fruit, nut and other hardwood trees; from black walnuts or peach and apricot pits. It makes a hot fire which gives off little or no smoke.

To make charcoal, simply put the wood in a can which has a few holes punched in it. Put a lid on the can and `cook" it over a hot fire. The holes in the can will allow the gasses and flame to escape. The exclusion of oxygen keeps the wood from completely burning to ashes. When the flame from the holes in the can turns to yellow-red, remove the can from the fire and allow to cool. Store in paper bags or cardboard cartons.

Copyright 1993 by Peggy Layton and Vicki Tate These recipes may be freely used for non-profit purposes as long as the book source and author remain intact. Express permission of the author, Vicki Tate, must be received for commercial profit.

Updated: 28 Nov 96