How to Make Char

Char Cloth is probably the best type of tinder for starting fires I have ever used. It is making Charcoal from anything that is 100% cotton.

Making the Char

In order to make char, you can use anything that is 100% cotton. I used cotton twine and cut it into pieces of vary lengths, nothing to short. If using cotton fabrics like t-shirts I would cut these in to 2" squares. Do not use black colored cotton as it is difficult to tell whether the cotton is finished cooking. I use a small metal candy can, a small altoids can will work if only doing a small amount. The can that I use is roughly 3 x 4 x 3. In the center of the lid I put a small hole in order to let the gases escape. If you don't have a lid, you can use aluminum foil tighly wrapped on top with a small hole in top.

Pack the cotton into the can loosely and put the top on. I make mine right on the forge without adding air to it. Just scrape the cold coke to a layer of hot coals. This can also be done on your charcoal grill without the grate. I wouldn't do it in the house due to the smell of charring coal is not a pleasant odor. I leave the coals for about 6 mins. After you put it on the coals, smoke will start to escape from the hole in the top. What is happening inside of the can is that all the gasses that are in the fabric are being pushed out. The gases are combustible and at this point I apply a match to it and allow it to burn. When the gases stop burning on top of the can it is finished.

Using a pair of tongs that open wide enough to go around the can, pull the can off and leave sit until it is cool to touch. Remove the lid and you will see that the cotton has turned black and the texture of the cotton has changed to that of a satiny feel but you can still see the threads. Do not remove the lid until it is cool. If it is still hot and air hits it embers can form and ruin your batch of char.

TEST THE CHAR

You can test the char a couple of ways. Find an ash tray or a shallow non-combustible dish to place the cloth in. You can light one end with a match and it will get red hot but not flame up. This will create an ember that you can blow onto that will then flame up as long as you keep blowing on it. Now that you have your char, you are ready to make a fire using a Flint Striker.

If you are like I am, sometimes you just need to see it being done. You can do this by going to You Tube at http:/www.youtube.com and do a search under char.

-- RebStaup - 28 Jan 2008