Charcoal Flats EarthCache

How is Charcoal Made?

Wood is first collected together and stacked in 2ft to 3ft lengths to form "cords" which air dry for up to 2 years. This reduces the amount of moisture in the wood resulting in a higher yield and better quality charcoal. The "hearth", "pit" or "kiln" site, would be a flat area constructed near by. The older pre 20th Century steel kilns where know as "earth clamps".

Wood is stood vertically round a thick "motty peg", that would be up to 12' high, which stood in the center of the hearth. The diameter of a kiln would vary from anywhere between 24' & 40't. A second then third level were added to create the dome shape. Bracken leafs and turf's where placed on the wood charge, before a final layer of sieved soil completed the covering which excluded the air.

The "motty peg" was removed creating a central vertical channel down the middle of the kiln. This allowed the charcoal burner to pour in hot embers from a separate fire. Sufficient embers had to be introduced to ensure that the charge was well & truly lit. Once done a large piece of turf was positioned over the central hole.

Vent holes where created round the outside of the mould, every 2' or 3' - sometimes at the top, others made them at the bottom. The burn would then take between 5 and 6 days to complete (or as many as 10 days!). Each day a new set of vent holes where introduce and old one covered - depending on how the burn was progressing.

The Process

The heat from the fire gradually dries out the wood as the remaining moisture in the wood escapes as steam, producing white fluffy smoke. After a time, when all the moisture has gone, chemical compounds start to be released. These are volatile and contribute to the acceleration of the heating/conversion process; the smoke at this stage is thick and yellowish. Throughout the process, the wood charge shrinks, thus the Burner needed to be very vigilante to ensure that the fire did not break though the earth walls of the mound. This would have allowed more air into the burn thus causing the fire to rage out of control and consume all the material.

The burner watched for the signs, which indicate that the burn has finished, and only charcoal remained of the charge. This stage is again marked by a change in the colour of the smoke being given off - from thick yellowish to clear blue. Once this sign occurs the Burner needed to act quickly to, or the fire would carry on until all the charge was consumed, charcoal and all.

The clamp was raked apart and water used to cool the charcoal embers. This again took some time between 2 & 3 days. The process & its signs are basically the same as they where 1000 yrs ago - the end use has change dramatically with virtually all home produced charcoal going to the barbecue market.

The History

Charcoal has been with us since prehistoric days. There is evidence in the Severn Valley, England of Iron workings before the Roman occupation. In the Middle Ages it was used extensively for domestic purposes such as a cooking and heating especially by the wealthy, but it was used most of all in the metallurgical industries.

In the South Yorkshire region of England, around Sheffield, records indicate that the preparation of charcoal for use as the fuel for iron smelting, was the oldest recorded woodland industry in the area.

Records also show that there was such a great demand for charcoal that large areas of woodland where threatened with deforestation. There were attempts as far back as 1217 to control woodland exploitation as in the Forest Charter that levied a 2d per year charge on carts removing wood or charcoal from Royal Forests - this of course would also have the effect of raising revenue for the Crown!

There exist several records of court cases brought for infringement of these forest restrictions. These were for such heinous crimes as 'charcoal burning without license' in Needlewood Forest Staffs, 1255AD or "destroying the Kings vert in the making of coals and selling them by the sack to the great destruction of all the covert" as done by one Thomas Parker in Epping Forest in 1498!

A 1282 estimate suggests that there were as many as 900 charcoal burners working in the Forest of Dean in 4 different woods alone. By the 16th Century, the demand for Charcoal had risen to enormous proportions, especially for the production of wrought iron. This became even greater after it was discovered that cannon balls could be "cast" in a single mould. Again there was concern regarding the woodland resources making further Acts of Parliament necessary. They were passed to safeguard the maintenance of woodlands some of the regulations prohibited the making of charcoal from mature wood - "coppice" must be used. 'Charring' was prohibited within 18 miles of London or 8 miles of the Thames.

Remnants still seen today in Pennsylvania

to Bald knob. The flat is about 40-50 feet off of the trail leading to the top of the hill. The trees in this area of Rothrock are probably from a planting during the initial clearing of trees. You will notice some of the second growth of trees in this cut out as well as a fire ring. Once at the flat you can dig 2-3 inches into the soil (away from the fire ring) to locate the dark rich deposits left over.

Please replace any divots you dig up and leave the area better than you found it. It's quite possible that the Charcoal created in Rothrock was taken to the Centre Iron Furnace during its active period. Please take the time to experience another great Earthcache local to the center region. Centre Iron Furnace GC1D42N created by Angrist.

To log the Charcoal Flats Earthcache you must complete the following items for a smiley.

1. Locate the Charcoal Flat and measure the flat area (in feet) and email me the size of the area you have found. Please do not post the dimension of this flat on your listing.
2. Take a picture of your caching group or GPS at GZ.
3. Remove some trash from the area left over from delinquent campers. Beer bottles, plastic cups, glass shards. When I was last at this site I removed three bags of cans and bottles. I do feel strongly about this bit so please do your part to keep out State Forests as clean as possible.

If you know or find other charcoal flats in the center region please feel free to post the coordinates of your finds and experiences on this listing. Please take the time to experience another great Earthcache local to the center region. Take a look at the Centre Iron Furnace GC1D42N created by Angrist to learn about Pennsylvania's Iron History.