Charcoal

Charcoal is a black substance that resembles coal and is used as a source of fuel. Charcoal is generally made from wood that has been burnt, or charred, while being deprived of oxygen so that what's left is an impure carbon residue. While charcoal is used in the manufacture of various objects from crayons to filters, its most common use is as a fuel.

One of charcoal's most common fuel uses is for cooking. Charcoal produces a heat that is hotter and burns cleaner than wood, making it ideal for cooking. Though charcoal as a heat source has been around for centuries, Henry Ford is credited with cornering the US market for mass produced charcoal for backyard grilling.