A brazier is a container used to burn charcoal or other solid fuel for cooking, heating or cultural rituals. It often takes the form of a metal box or bowl with feet. Its elevation helps circulate air, feeding oxygen to the fire. Braziers have been used since ancient times; the Nimrud brazier dates to at least 824 BC.
Brazier with burning fire in a rune stone circle at a summer solstice
A brazier being used to grill chicken and steaks.
Ancient Greek brazier and casserole, 6th/4th century BC, exhibited in the Ancient Agora Museum in Athens, housed in the Stoa of Attalus
Simple box-style brazier, with broad grill, intended as a metal container (e.g. kettle/tray) heater/cooker
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this pyrolysis process, called charcoal burning, often by forming a charcoal kiln, the heat is supplied by burning part of the starting material itself, with a limited supply of oxygen. The material can also be heated in a closed retort. Modern charcoal briquettes used for outdoor cooking may contain many other additives, e.g. coal.
Charcoal
Packaging of charcoal for export in Namibia
An abandoned charcoal kiln near Walker, Arizona, US
Wood pile before covering with turf or soil, and firing it (c. 1890)
