Charcoal Burning

Image: Charcoal burning in the Wyre Forest. A man is raking out a clamp with a “rauble” or rake and using an oak-spade basket to gather the charcoal. A full sack is in the foreground. [Image from: Bewdley Museum, 1950s]

5. Charcoal Burning (3)

The pit was left to burn for two to ten days. A good collier could tell how long the wood would take to carbonize. When sufficient burning had taken place, the pit would be raked out with a rauble. Next the pit was sprinkled with water and the dampened dust placed on the pit to keep the heat in.