Charcoal is a lightweight, black residue, consisting of carbon and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow process-the heating of wood in the absence of oxygen.

Charcoal is better fuel than wood because: When the same amount of charcoal and wood are burnt, charcoal produces almost twice the heat produced by wood. Charcoal produces much less smoke than wood. Charcoal is a compact fuel that is more convenient to handle than wood.