Gather dry hardwood pieces, branches, or logs
Remove dirt, bark, and moisture as much as possible
Cut the wood into manageable sizes
Place the wood in a metal drum, kiln, or pit
Limit airflow so the wood burns with low oxygen
Heat the wood slowly until it turns black and carbonized
Maintain low oxygen until smoke decreases and the wood is fully charred
Let the charcoal cool completely before exposing it to air
Remove the cooled charcoal from the container
Store the charcoal in a dry place