Traditional method of producing beech charcoal on Ćićarija mountain is divided into 4 phases:
ARRANGING THE CHARCOAL KILN (Karbunica)
It takes 2-3 days to get the karbunica assorted, where for single karbunica 40-50 m3 of raw wood is used (70 - 100 m3 exceptionally). Arranging the wooden structure of karbunica begins with assorting half meter-logs in square-alike chimney (approx 2 m high) called the heart of karbunica. Afterwards the chopped meter-logs are arranged around chimney concentrically in 5m diameter. Next to it the meter-logs are arranged in two rows towards the top which makes the structure appear like the dome. At the top of karbunica a cap made of shorter pieces of wood is arranged which encircles the form.
COVERING THE CHARCOAL KILN
In this phase karbunica is covered with the metal cap, after which the structure is sheeted with straw. Straw is afterwards topped with layer of wet dirt 5-10 cm thick and mixed with ash made of previous burnings.
BURNING AND COMBUSTION
After karbunica is arranged and covered, supporting quantity of ember is prepared to be inserted inside the very heart of karbunica through the top vent in order to initiate the burning process. Thus the chimney is filled with small quantities of wood of 10-15 cm length. The process is known as ‘bokanje’. It is repeated for the first three days of combustion so that the karbunica would not lose its shape nor collapse inside due to volume decrease. Inside the dirt-layer of kiln’s top holes are drilled with the metal stick for smoke release. Afterwards the cap is closed and starts the process of carbonization.
EXTRACTION, PACKING AND STORAGING
Ready made charcoal is extracted in layers. It’s been taken out starting from the half meter depth, from the bottom toward the top . Follows separation from the dirt with the special forks which allows 1st class large charcoal to be separated from the tinier 2nd class goods. The extracted charcoal is cooled down for at least two hours before packing it in jute-sacks (Net. weight of approx. 35 kg). After storing it in adequate packaging allowing better air circulation it is transported to the end-users where it comes in recognizable paper-sacks.
