How to Grind Charcoal

Charcoal has many other uses beyond grilling.

Ground charcoal is used in a number of applications. It can be made into black powder for rifles, made into incense, or used as a natural air freshener. Because it removes moisture from the air, it can be used to keep tools from getting rusty and can be mixed with rock salt to keep it from clumping during winter use. A little ground charcoal added to the water for flowers will keep the flowers fresher longer.

Things You'll Need

• Mortar
• Pestle
• Coffee grinder

Instructions

1. Cut the charcoal into small chunks about the size of a nickel or dime. Trying to grind larger portions will take much longer.

2. Place one or two chunks at a time in the mortar.

3. Press the pestle into the charcoal over and over until it is ground into a powder -- or the consistency you want. You don't have to worry about the charcoal igniting from the grinding, but be sure not grind it near an ignition source. For example, it would not be wise to smoke while grinding the charcoal.

4. Use a coffee grinder to grind small pieces of charcoal, if you do not have a mortar and pestle.

References

• Musketeer; Homemade Black Powder; Ulrich Bretscher
• Scents of Earth: How to Make Incense
• Tip Hero; 8 Clever Uses for Charcoal; Sept. 9, 2009