How to Store Charcoal and How Long it Lasts

Charcoal has been an reasonably priced and invaluable power supply for hundreds of years. In the present day it performs an important function in summer season barbecues and, in some much less developed international locations, producing warmth throughout chilly winter months.

Barbecue fans is likely to be questioning about charcoal shelf life as they mud off their barbecues every spring and assess left over charcoal from the 12 months earlier than. Preppers is likely to be questioning about how you can retailer charcoal for attainable grid-down conditions which may require out of doors cooking and the gas to make it occur.

One examine from the Division of Earth and Environmental Science, College of Pennsylvania described charcoal this manner:

Around the globe, charcoal has endured as an power useful resource and retained unequivocal dominance within the power consumption mixture of some nations a few years on since fashionable alternate options have been invented. Moreover, it has secured unyielding significance as a commodity on native and worldwide markets and remained an aggressive competitor to electrical energy and gasoline for cooking.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/8/4/183/htm

Preppers with ample cupboard space is likely to be clever to retailer charcoal for the long-term, notably in the event that they have already got a style for, and the abilities to make use of, charcoal-based cooking.

Whereas charcoal is available by simply strolling right into a retailer and buying some, you might be accountable for preserving them in order that they maintain their efficacy. This information will help you in understanding the charcoal shelf life and the best storage choices for holding it protected for an prolonged interval.

Charcoal vs Charcoal Briquettes

Earlier than we get into shelf life and storage choices, it’s vital to tell apart between charcoal and charcoal briquettes. Whereas related, they’re not the identical. The large distinction between charcoal and charcoal briquettes is the chemical components in charcoal briquettes. 

Charcoal is a pure product from burning wooden or fallen bushes, usually hardwood, in a low-oxygen atmosphere with excessive warmth. Charcoal is also referred to as “lump wooden charcoal,” and the method of its creation requires no chemical substances or components. Whereas charcoal briquettes observe the identical means of creation as charcoal, the supplies used are totally different, and after the burning, chemical substances and components are added to the combination. 

Charcoal briquettes, however, are constructed from compressed sawdust and wooden particles with added chemical substances to facilitate combustion and management burn charges. Examples of those components and chemical substances are limestone, starch, borax, and so forth.

Charcoal is understood to have irregular shapes as each the dimensions and form of every piece are distinctive. Charcoal briquettes have common uniform shapes, one characteristic you should use to distinguish between them. Because of the irregularity of the shapes, charcoal can require extra cupboard space than charcoal briquettes.

Whereas charcoal and charcoal briquettes are each gas sources, they every have totally different makes use of. Charcoal burns quick, however the heat lasts simply a short while. This makes direct barbecuing a wonderful use for it. For instance, lean, delicate steaks like filet mignon will profit from a short sear over a lump of wooden charcoal warmth to provide their most refined flavors. 

Charcoal briquettes require extra time to burn, however their temperature stays fixed. In consequence, oblique grilling and smoking are their main makes use of. Lump wooden charcoal is superior for high-heat searing and grilling and provides wonderful taste. Briquettes are preferable for regulated, low, and gradual smoking.

Charcoal Shelf Life

Charcoal doesn’t expire or deteriorate over time so long as it isn’t uncovered to moisture, warmth, or dust. 

Lump wooden charcoal usually has a median of 2- 3 hours of burn time as a result of it doesn’t include chemical substances and components. Whereas it has a shorter burn time in comparison with charcoal briquettes, It usually burns at a temperature of a minimum of 1400 °F (760 °C), which is much hotter than what will be reached with charcoal briquettes.

You need to relaxation assured that, so long as it hasn’t absorbed an excessive amount of moisture, 100% pure charcoal with none components or chemical substances will nonetheless burn correctly after an extended time period.

Charcoal Briquette Shelf Life

Typical charcoal briquettes have an limitless shelf life as long as they’re saved in a cool, dry atmosphere. The exception to this are briquettes that include mesquite and specialty “match mild” charcoal briquettes. These specialty briquettes have a use by date of 1 to 2 years if saved appropriately. If left to the weather they are going to deteriorate extra rapidly because of the added solvents evaporating.

Whereas charcoal has an extended shelf life than charcoal briquettes, charcoal briquettes burn longer than charcoal. The common burn time for two kilograms of charcoal briquettes is 5 hours, however there are a number of variables that may have an effect on this time, similar to the kind and materials of the tools getting used and the amount and high quality of the charcoal briquettes used. 

You will need to additionally think about environmental parts such because the out of doors temperature and wind.

Greatest Option to Retailer Charcoal

In accordance with scientific analysis on the topic, charcoal is a porous, lightweight carbon residue. It rapidly absorbs moisture when in shut contact with a moist floor or when uncovered to damp air. In case you expose a bag of charcoal or charcoal briquettes to the air they usually turn into moist, the charcoal briquettes will go dangerous and turn into unusable. Lump wooden charcoal could also be unfold out and dried when it has already come into contact with moisture to be reused. 

You need to use waterproof containers in a cool, dry place to retailer charcoal.

There are a couple of essential elements to think about whereas in search of a location to retailer your charcoal storage container. Your storage containers shouldn’t be in moist areas and needs to be stored out of direct daylight. A chilly and dry storage or barn is greatest for storing charcoal. 

In case you’re holding charcoal in a container outdoors, hold it raised off the bottom. In case you can solely retailer your charcoal in your basement since you don’t have a storage or an out of doors shed, use a dehumidifier to remove the additional moisture within the air.

5 Greatest Charcoal Storage Containers

There are a number of methods to retailer charcoal and charcoal briquettes so long as they’re stored dry, cool, and freed from extreme strain, however among the best is to make use of designated storage containers. Whereas there are particular charcoal storage containers, there are some out-of-the-box concepts you may implement to get your individual charcoal storage container. 

1) Kingsford Charcoal Dispenser

This purpose-built container holds charcoal upright and permits for straightforward meting out of the charcoal. It’s fabricated from plastic, which is waterproof, corrosion-proof, and allows an hermetic closure between the lid and container physique, so it’s a nice storage possibility for charcoal wants.

The dispenser additionally contains a deal with, making it handy to dump charcoal out. The quilt locks in place, making certain that your charcoal stays dry, cool, and prepared to be used when required. The black coloration additionally blocks out mild.

What I don’t like about this container is that it’s restricted in measurement. It’s nice for handy use/meting out of charcoal, nevertheless it’s not a really reasonably priced approach to retailer massive portions of charcoal.

2) Steel Trash Can

These cans are a wonderful various to charcoal dispensers. Steel is just not as porous as plastic and is immune to warmth and fireplace. This is a superb various for individuals who wish to retailer quite a lot of charcoal, and also you would possibly already personal one which you should use.

Good for preppers to know, these cans may also be transformed into home made Faraday cages.

It’s advisable to line the within of the can with a rubbish bag since metallic trash can lids don’t create an hermetic seal when involved with the container physique. This further warning lowers the potential for moisture within the air reaching your charcoal and interfering with its effectiveness.

The draw back to those containers is that they will rust out if left on a moist floor. Due to this fact, elevating metallic cans a couple of inches above the bottom is vital in probably damp areas.

3) 5-Gallon Plastic Pails

The usual plastic pail is an effective, low-cost possibility for storing charcoal and charcoal briquettes. Simply make sure that you simply get a correct becoming lid. Pails can be utilized to segregate numerous sizes of charcoal or to fill with briquettes. They’re waterproof and have hermetic seals (with a correct lid).

Regardless of their small measurement, they’re respectable choices for storing bulk charcoal as a result of you may stack them. To maintain humidity at bay, use an hermetic plastic bucket and seal it shut with glue or a gamma lid for those who’re uncertain whether or not it’s hermetic.

4) Plastic Trash Cans with Wheels

These huge containers are a preferred alternative amongst common barbecuers. These make it easy to maneuver massive portions of charcoal round. You might choose the dimensions that greatest meets your wants from numerous hermetic, weatherproof, and measurement choices.

The apparent draw back to those are their measurement. They’re huge.

5) Plastic Storage Bins

These additionally make a wonderful alternative for folk who use smaller quantities of charcoal. Many individuals have some already they usually can generally be discovered low-cost at yard gross sales.

They’re stackable, however watch out if you’re utilizing these to stack massive quantities of charcoal as the burden may turn into important if the totes are stacked too excessive on high of each other. They’re not made for bearing weight, simply storing objects.

Charcoal FAQs

Are you able to reuse previous charcoal?

Sure, you may reuse previous charcoal so long as it has not crumbled into bits. The unburnt charcoal is simply pretty much as good as contemporary charcoal you haven’t used.

Can I grill with damp or moist charcoal?

So long as the charcoal hasn’t turned to mud and also you’ve taken the time to let it dry within the solar, you could grill utilizing moist charcoal. Charcoal briquettes are extra apt to be compromised by dampness, nevertheless.

How do I get rid of previous charcoal briquettes?

First, soak the previous charcoal briquettes in water for an hour to get rid of them. After you might be executed, wrap the soaked charcoal briquettes in a non-combustible materials or container. Then you definitely throw it within the regular bin. Nevertheless, provided that they’ve a nearly limitless shelf-life, simply use them as an alternative!

How A lot Charcoal Ought to Preppers Inventory?

That is an unimaginable query to reply for you. It’s one thing you need to determine based mostly in your obtainable cupboard space, how many individuals you hope to prepare dinner for, and for the way lengthy.

If in case you have some expertise cooking with charcoal then it is best to have an concept on how a lot charcoal is required for every meal you make for your self or your loved ones. Then you may mission how a lot charcoal is required for the variety of days you’re making ready for.

Variety is essential when prepping. I retailer charcoal as a result of I like cooking with it, but additionally as a result of it provides variety to my gas sources. I’ve propane, firewood, and charcoal. Between storing these 3 gas sources, I’m creating loads of choices for grid-down cooking.

Abstract

We thought of two main components when evaluating charcoal with briquettes: value and performance. Briquettes are cheap and simple to make use of, however they don’t create very excessive temperatures and produce quite a lot of ash and smoke upon ignition. Charcoal, however, is costlier than charcoal briquettes however makes a lot better barbecuing circumstances due to its excessive warmth ranges and cleaner burn.

The excellent news is that both kind (excluding mesquite and simple burn briquettes), the shelf-life is nearly limitless. That ought to carry a smile to each prepper’s face!