what is charcoal made of

Quick Scoop: Charcoal is made by heating organic material, usually wood, in very little oxygen so most water and volatile compounds are driven off, leaving mostly carbon behind.

What it’s made from

• Wood is the most common source.
• It can also be made from coconut shells, peat, or other plant material.
• Some commercial briquettes may include coal, clay, and a binder like starch.

What’s left in it

Charcoal is not pure carbon, but it is mostly carbon. Depending on how it’s made, it typically contains carbon along with smaller amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and ash.

Simple way to think about it

If wood is “cooked” without enough oxygen to fully burn, it turns into charcoal instead of ash.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between charcoal, briquettes, and activated charcoal.