[JMJKD]

As some of you new folks learn about survival techniques. I just wanted to mention the use of charcoal as a resource. Never pick charcoal from an unknown fire source for use in water filtration or as a remedy for internal use, nausea, diarrhea or ingestion poisoning.

You never know what type of wood or what else was burned that could contain chemicals. I would suggest if you want to use charcoal make it yourself.

I may be over cautious but better safe then sorry.

[TaintRight]

Also, for what its worth, there is charcoal and there are charcoal briquettes. Do not confuse the two.

Briquettes are mostly corn starch bound to a little bitty amount of actual charcoal with sodium nitrate and other binders. The slurry is formed into a briquette in a hydraulic press like a salt block or aspirin tablet. Do not grind up briquettes and filter water through the dust. Do not grind up and ingest briquettes for any reason. Its not really charcoal.

Lump charcoal is the real deal. But I wouldn't even use it for filtering water or treating internal ailments. There is no control on where their wood came from. I have bought some brands which obviously used scrap wood from flooring or cabinet making operations. You could make out the milled shapes. Who knows what lacquers or solvents were present on the scrap wood?

I'd recommend learning how to make your own charcoal. Neither process is very complicated. And the stuff has a lot of uses.

[garret]

i used to make tons of the stuff back in the uk (for blackpowder) i always used willow coppice wood to make charcoal as it re grows so quickly you always have a good supply on hand

plus the inner bark of new shoots is a good suorce of natural asprin (willowfine) so you can even cure your headache whilst making charcoal

[sypher96792]

I ususally use kiawe or mesquite is the english name.....good burning wood and great coal if you can keep the logs from breaking apart,not hard to do just don't move it around while it's burning you be alright.

[SwampRat1]

Great point jm. i am amazed at how many people don't know the diffrence between charcoal and charwood. and no, you never know what others may put in their campfires.

[cuttoheal]

Does anyone know the best type of woods to use for this. I don't have mesquite where I live, have oaks, pine, maples, sweet gum, etc.....

[JMJKD]

Sure any natural wood is fine as long as you pick it and you are the one who burns it. If you think the tree has been sprayed don't use it as a precaution.

No store bricketts, bagged charcoal etc.
Just use Natural wood.

[SwampRat1]

i have heard that hardwoods are better, same reason as for a normal fire, they burn longer. but this is just what i have heard, not personnal experience.

[jamesraykenney]

Originally Posted by JMJKD

Sure any natural wood is fine as long as you pick it and you are the one who burns it. If you think the tree has been sprayed don't use it as a precaution.

No store bricketts, bagged charcoal etc.
Just use Natural wood.

No, no, no... Not ANY natural wood.
Some, hemlock for example, are deadly poisins!!!

[Camdor]

Also, for filtration and ESPECIALLY for internal use, you need to use activated charcoal or active carbon.

The term "active" simply means it has been infused with a positive charge

In a pinch, it is usually best and safer to simply make your own

HERE is a link to a site that both sells activated charcoal at a decent price AND shows step by step how to make natural charcoal suitable for practically any application.

HTH