Make Charcoal as a Coal Alternative

Why Use Charcoal Instead of Coal

Charcoal works identically to coal in the gunpowder recipe, but you can make it yourself without mining. This is useful if you're far from coal ore or want to preserve your mined coal for other purposes like smelting or fuel.

Smelt Wood to Create Charcoal

Place any wooden logs into a furnace along with fuel (coal, charcoal, wood, or other burnable items). The furnace will cook the logs and produce charcoal. One log produces one charcoal. You can then use this charcoal as a direct substitute for coal in your gunpowder recipe.

Automate Charcoal Production

If you need large quantities of gunpowder, consider setting up a simple charcoal production line. Collect logs from trees, smelt them in a furnace (or multiple furnaces), and store the charcoal. This lets you craft gunpowder repeatedly without ever needing to find coal ore, making explosives production entirely self-sufficient.