Charcoal House Introduction
Near the intersection of Fengcheng Road and Xinhud Road in Baoshan Township, there is a household that has been producing smoke for many years. Curious drivers passing by will surely be attracted by the people seeking shade under the trees. They might invite you to taste a homegrown orange or enthusiastically explain the ancient method of charcoal making that has been preserved. This is the home of charcoal, revived eight years ago by the Li family, who built a new kiln with the aim of preserving this traditional industry. They want to use ancient methods to produce the best quality charcoal. Having spent the last decade refining the quality, Li Yongxing returned to his hometown from Taipei and possesses the strong physique of a farmer. He recalls watching his grandfather and uncles make charcoal since childhood, and how their lives were spent tending to the kiln year-round amid farming seasons. As living standards improved, the demand for charcoal decreased, coupled with competition from low-priced imported charcoal, leading to the closure of many kilns. Fortunately, the former township head of Baoshan wished to revive this craft, and Li Yongxing was unwilling to let the skills of his grandfather and uncles fade away. With the technical guidance from his father, Li Shenghua, and funding support from the township office, he equipped the kiln with a handwoven “straw hat,” stacked acacia wood tightly inside the kiln, and reignited the signature of charcoal-making. The phrase "unwilling to give up" may sound easy, but carrying this burden is no small feat. Li Yongxing mentions that thankfully his children have grown up so the economic pressure is lessened; otherwise, producing and selling charcoal barely yields a profit. From timbering on the mountain to preparing firewood and stacking it in the kiln, the preliminary work alone takes about ten days. The charcoal-making process itself takes 20 to 25 days, followed by another 15 to 20 days for complete cooling of the kiln (if the timing is off and the kiln is opened too soon, the uncooled charcoal will ignite upon exposure to air, turning to ash). In total, this process takes a minimum of a month and a half. However, over twenty thousand pounds of acacia wood yields only six thousand pounds of charcoal, selling for 20 NTD per pound, leaving only enough profit to cover labor costs. Without that sense of “unwillingness,” who could persist? The charcoal home operates around two or three in the morning, as even in winter, the kiln room remains quite warm right after opening. The heavy labor of moving charcoal leads to sweating soon after starting the work. Additionally, due to the dark color of the charcoal, everyone quickly ends up looking like they are covered in soot. The charcoal, thick as a man's thigh, is pulled out, fully carbonized due to the long production time, resulting in smoke-free and durable quality. Enticed buyers familiar with good charcoal often wait nearby. For those interested in the charcoal-making process, it is advisable to inquire about the kiln opening hours. Given the rarity of the experience, it attracts many photography enthusiasts who come to help move the charcoal and "become blackened." Interestingly, when this article is published, it coincides with the Lunar New Year, the peak season for producing navel oranges and Ponkan tangerines. The citrus crops cultivated by Mr. Li Shenghua have won awards. The kiln opening signifies the harvesting season. Whether coming to lend a hand or to harvest citrus, visiting the charcoal home during this New Year will surely yield extraordinary rewards!
