Step Nine: Remove the Can from the Fire
The can will be red hot now, so you will want to stay away from it. Therefore, instead of using your pliers to grab the paint can, you should use the long stick that helped you arrange the fire wood. Carefully lift the can up and do not set it on grass unless you are willing to have that area burned down to a black spot. You can put the can on top of a pile of rocks to prevent any property damage from occurring.
Step 10: Drop a Wet Paper Towel on Top of the Paint Can
From a height of at least a couple of inches, drop a damp paper towel on top of the paint can’s lid. You can use your long stick to press the towel down so that it is firmly on top of the entire lid. This will cause a lot of steam, but it is a vital step because it will keep the oxygen out of the can while the charcoal inside is cooling off.
After the paper towel is firmly in place, use your pliers and the stick to flip the can upside-down. It is best to grab the handle with your pliers, lift up and then put the stick underneath the can to help you flip it. Ideally, the can will end up resting upside down with the paper towel at the bottom. Be very carefully during this step. If your skin comes into contact with the paint can, you will get a nasty burn.
Step 11: Check Your Results!
After about an hour, the paint can should be cool enough for you to pick it up. You will probably need to use a flat-head screwdriver to pop the lid back open. As long as the timing was right and the heat of the fire was hot enough, you will find a can full of charcoal just waiting to be put to good use!
As previously mentioned, this is not a simple process, but it is a cheap one. A paint can shouldn’t cost you more than $3, and everything else can be done with supplies that you already have on hand. If you start making charcoal now, you will have plenty of it on hand if the SHTF.