My charcoal pit didn't work.

[Nightweaver20xx]

And I followed how to make one exactly as it was described on the wiki, too. 3x3 pit, filled every single square to the top with firewood, sealed it all around with dirt, left the center square open to light it, lit it, sealed the hole, and waited the requisite 18 hours (longer, actually). But when I opened it up, it was completely empty! What's going on? EDIT: Oh wait, I lit the actual wood before I closed it up. You're supposed to put a firepit on TOP of the wood, light that, then seal it. The wiki didn't make that very clear.

Edited March 9, 2025 by Nightweaver20xx

[Foxtrot150th]

I did the same thing !!! lol 

 

[Maelstrom]

On 3/9/2025 at 6:53 AM, Nightweaver20xx said:

You're supposed to put a firepit on TOP of the wood, light that, then seal it. The wiki didn't make that very clear.

Welcome to VS and the forums!  Be prepared for a lot more of those facepalm moments.  Even after playing for 4 years, I'm still facepalming.

[Volgrem]

OMG....I've been trying to figure this out for 2 days!  I've done it twice and came back to an empty hole!

[Iggy Darsa]

Hi all,

New player here.

I have the same issue. not sure what I'm doing wrong but I enclosed the pit with rammed earth (is using rammed earth an issue?) and the dimensions are 3x3x2 (2 being Depth), does it have to be at least 3 depth?

Thanks!

[Vexxvididu]

8 hours ago, Iggy Darsa said:

Hi all,

New player here.

I have the same issue. not sure what I'm doing wrong but I enclosed the pit with rammed earth (is using rammed earth an issue?) and the dimensions are 3x3x2 (2 being Depth), does it have to be at least 3 depth?

Thanks!

just a depth of 1 or 2 works.  You got to make sure you are filling it completely with firewood, then lighting a fire pit on top of it (not directly lighting the fire wood stacks) then sealing it with dirt (rammed earth is fine) as soon as you light it.  Any gaps in the firewood stacks will ruin it.  Lighting the firewood directly ruins it.  not sealing the the pit 30 seconds after lighting the firepit ruins it. Post a picture of your setup before lighting it if still in doubt.

[TJ Pepler]

Here you go...  This works for sure every time without fail.  You will lose a few pieces of coal from the process but you will have plenty to get going.

Come back the next day when there's no more smoke and bring a shovel

 

Edited December 7, 2025 by TJ Pepler

[Iggy Darsa]

I figured, I didn't close it in 30 sec. *facepalm*

[TingleDingus423]

On 12/6/2025 at 10:50 AM, Vexxvididu said:

just a depth of 1 or 2 works.  You got to make sure you are filling it completely with firewood, then lighting a fire pit on top of it (not directly lighting the fire wood stacks) then sealing it with dirt (rammed earth is fine) as soon as you light it.  Any gaps in the firewood stacks will ruin it.  Lighting the firewood directly ruins it.  not sealing the the pit 30 seconds after lighting the firepit ruins it. Post a picture of your setup before lighting it if still in doubt.

I've used packed dirt as well 

[Khoronzon]

I love how helpful this community is

 

[Slam]

The community giving helpful months later.