The best types of wood to use for making charcoal

1. Hardwoods are generally preferred for making high-quality charcoal. Some of the best hardwood options include:

- Oak

- Maple

- Walnut

- Ash

- Fruitwoods (like apple or cherry)[1][5]

2. Mangrove and Mallee root are considered two of the best types of wood for making charcoal. They produce a steady, non-overbearing smoke that imparts great flavor when grilling[1].

3. Avoid using softwoods like pine or cedar. These burn too quickly and don't produce good quality charcoal for cooking[5].

4. Hardwood from old shipping crates can be a good source of wood for charcoal making[5].

5. For grilling and cooking purposes, denser hardwoods are preferred as they produce higher quality charcoal with better heat output[2].

6. When harvesting wood for charcoal, it's best to cut live trees rather than dead ones. This helps thin the forest and allows remaining trees to grow better[2].

7. The wood should be properly dried before being made into charcoal. A minimum of 2-3 months drying time is recommended, with 6 months being even better[2].

8. Orchard wood, like cherry and apple, can make excellent charcoal if it's not rotting[4].

The key factors for good charcoal-making wood are:

- Hardwood species

- Properly dried (moisture content 20% or less)

- Not rotten or decayed

- Dense wood for higher heat output

By selecting the right type of wood and properly preparing it, you can produce high-quality charcoal for cooking, grilling, and other uses.