Black Powder from Literally Nothing. Part 2

Charcoal, the next thing you need for your self made black powder.

No, you can't just use commercial charcoal briquettes, they are not the same as the charcoal we are going to make. Don't ask me why, I don't remember why, just that they don't work. Something about them being compressed.

Anyway, you will need a 55 gallon drum for your fire. Cut a 12" wide by 10" tall hole in the bottom of the drum so that you can tend the fire you will build in there.

Drill four holes in the drum 90 degrees from each other about 8" above the bottom, and put rebar through the holes as a support for a 16 gallon steel drum. Cut the top off the 55 gallon drum.

Cut several 3/8" holes in the bottom of the 16 gallon steel drum. Fill the 16 gallon drum with dry wood. Build a fire in the bottom of the 55 gallon drum, and place the 16 gallon drum, with lid on in the 55 gallon drum.

Place the cut off top of the 55 gallon drum on top of the drum, but supported about 3/4" off of it. This will keep the heat in and allow the fire to vent.

Allow the fire to burn until the gasses escaping the 16 gallon no longer burn.

Open and you will have charcoal.