Coconut shell charcoal is one of the traditional fuel types that is more efficient to use compared to wood charcoal. This is because coconut shell briquettes are known as an environmentally friendly alternative fuel. Produced from coconut shell waste through a careful process without any chemical additives. To obtain high-quality coconut charcoal, it is important to pay attention to the production process, from selecting the best quality materials to packaging. Here is how to make coconut charcoal briquettes.
Tools and Materials for Making Coconut Shell Charcoal
To make coconut shell charcoal, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
Coconut Shells
The main material needed to make charcoal briquettes is, of course, coconut shells. Coconut shells are hard shells that protect the coconut fruit and are made up of layers of fibrous paper and solid material. Coconut shells have a strong structure and are resistant to damage, making them often used for various purposes such as making charcoal briquettes, handicrafts, or as raw materials for construction. To produce briquettes, coconut shells need to be cleaned of their fibers and prepared appropriately for further processing.
Bucket or Heat-Resistant Container
A bucket or heat-resistant container is an important tool in the process of making coconut shell briquettes. This container is designed to withstand high temperatures when the coconut shells are burned into charcoal. The bucket or heat-resistant container must be made of material capable of withstanding high heat without deformation or damage, such as thick metal or ceramic. This container serves as a place to control the burning process effectively, thus producing high-quality charcoal briquettes. Additionally, the container helps to maintain safety during the burning process, reducing the risk of fire or injuries from uncontrolled heat. By using a heat-resistant container, the process of making coconut charcoal can be carried out more efficiently and safely.
Hammer or Coconut Shell Breaker Tool
The next tool for making coconut shell briquettes is a hammer or tool used to break coconut shells into small pieces. This tool is typically made of metal or hard wood with sufficient weight to generate the pressure needed to break the tough coconut shells. Using this tool is crucial in the briquette-making process as it efficiently prepares the raw material. Breaking the coconut shells into smaller pieces increases the surface area exposed to heat during the burning process, thereby enhancing efficiency in producing high-quality briquettes.
Knife
A knife is used to cut and clean the coconut shells. This tool is useful for removing unwanted parts of the coconut shells, such as fibers or overly hard sections, preparing the coconut shells for the next stage in the briquette-making process. The knife is also essential for cleaning residues or contaminants from the surface of the coconut shells, ensuring clean and ready-to-process raw materials.
How to Make Coconut Charcoal Briquettes as an Alternative Fuel
Coconut shell charcoal is an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the use of wood charcoal, which has the potential to harm the environment. With innovations in fuel using coconut shell waste, there are numerous advantages. Starting from protecting deforestation, preserving coconut farmers, and potentially boosting local economies. The manufacturing process is quite simple and can be done at home with easily found materials. Below are the steps to make coconut shell charcoal briquettes easily and practically.
Preparing Coconut Shells
The first step in making coconut shell charcoal briquettes is preparing the coconut shells. This preparation begins by cleaning the shells of fibers and dirt using a knife to ensure the surface is clean. After that, the coconut shells are cut into small pieces using a hammer or a breaker tool made of metal or hard wood so they are ready for the next process.
How to Make Coconut Charcoal Briquettes with Drying
Drying the coconut shells is an important process in making charcoal briquettes. After cleaning and cutting the coconut shells into small pieces, the next step is drying them. The coconut shell pieces are placed in an area exposed to direct sunlight or in a well-ventilated room. The purpose of drying is to reduce the moisture content in the coconut shells so they are ready for the subsequent burning process. Dry coconut shells are more efficient in producing quality charcoal. Ideally, coconut shells should be completely dry before the burning process to ensure even and effective results.
Burning to Charcoal
Burning coconut shells into charcoal is a critical step in making charcoal briquettes. Once the coconut shells are prepared and well-dried, the pieces are placed in a heat-resistant container or furnace. The burning process involves controlling temperature and ventilation to optimize charcoal formation.
When heated, organic materials in the coconut shells break down, leaving behind charcoal as a solid fuel. This process requires sufficient time and supervision to ensure the coconut shells burn completely without leaving unburned residues. The final result is hard and stable charcoal, ready to be crushed into fine powder and mixed with binders for forming briquettes.
Crushing and Mixing
After becoming charcoal, the next step is crushing it into fine powder using a crusher. The charcoal powder is then mixed with natural binders like tapioca flour or cornstarch in appropriate ratios. The mixing process aims to form a thick paste that can be easily shaped into briquettes.
Forming Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquettes
Forming briquettes from the produced charcoal starts with mixing fine charcoal powder with natural binders like tapioca flour or cornstarch in the right proportions. This mixture is stirred with a little water to form a thick, easily moldable dough. The dough is then shaped into small briquettes using a specialized mold or formed manually. This process ensures that the briquettes are compact and neat, ready to be used as efficient and environmentally friendly alternative fuels for cooking and heating.
Final Drying
Once the briquettes are properly formed, allow them to dry thoroughly in a shaded area protected from moisture. Final drying is crucial to ensure the briquettes are completely dry and ready for use. Drying can be done under sunlight or in a well-ventilated room to prevent excessive smoke emission when the charcoal briquettes are burned.
Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquette Producers
That’s the explanation of how to make coconut charcoal briquettes easily and practically. However, for those who want to get high-quality coconut shell charcoal without making it themselves, you can rely on Little Briquette. Little Briquette is the best producer of coconut shell charcoal briquettes that prioritizes quality. Contact them at this number to experience cooking using coconut shell charcoal briquettes effectively.