Popular Mechanics - USA (2019-09)

// B Y M A T T MCDONALD //

WHAT TO DO:

▶ A good supply

of hardwood

Oak, walnut, ash,

and fruitwoods

are good. Old

hardwood ship-

ping crates are a

good source. Don’t

use softwoods like

pine or cedar—

they won’t burn

long enough to

cook a hot dog.

▶ A firebox

Some people

simply dig a hole

for their fire. I use

an old 55-gallon

drum. If you use a

drum, make sure

you burn it clean

of all residues of

oil or whatever.

WHAT YOU NEED:

HOW TO MAKE

LUMP CHARCOAL

1.CUT YOUR

HARDWOOD

INTO CHUNKS

Twelve inches long

is ideal for the fire-

box of an offset

smoker.

2.START

YOUR FIRE

The type of hard-

wood doesn’t

matter, as long as

you can get a really

hot fire going. You

want flames shoot-

ing up.

3.ADD THE

HARDWOOD

Add a layer at a time

and let the flames

fully catch before

adding a second

and third layer. This

ensures the fire

gets to the top layer.

4.MAKE SURE

IT’S BURNING

Keep an eye on

your wood and look

for a slight char all

around. It takes

about 10 to 15

minutes.

5.PUT A LID ON

THE BARREL

If you started in

the afternoon, let

it smolder all night.

Next afternoon,

check that the fire

is out and the barrel

has cooled.

6. REMOVE THE
   CHARCOAL WITH
   YOUR HANDS
   This is the best way
   to know the embers
   are out cold before
   you toss the char-
   coal in a box or bag
   to store.

52 September 2019

GETTY IMAGES (COAL); COURTESY (SMOKERS)