Charcoal

carbon · cooking · burning · chemistry

Made from extreme heat. Charcoal is created by heating wood to really high temperatures while keeping oxygen almost completely out. This process removes all the water and soft stuff, leaving only the hard carbon behind.

Light and porous. Charcoal is full of tiny holes that make it much lighter than the original wood. These holes let air and liquids pass right through it, which is why it works so well for grilling and air filters.

Perfect for outdoor grilling. Charcoal burns hot and clean, making it ideal for cooking burgers and hot dogs. It burns longer and hotter than regular wood, so your food cooks evenly.

Artists love it. Charcoal sticks have been used for thousands of years to draw dark, dramatic lines and shadows in art. It's easy to blend and erase, making it perfect for sketching.

Absorbs bad stuff. Because of all those tiny holes, charcoal can trap unwanted chemicals and odors. This is why it's used in water filters and even some toothpastes to help clean things up.