Charcoal ovens existed throughout most of the Alentejo, although we can assume that they were more common near areas where there were more holm oak and cork oak forests.
Theoretically, the wood used to create charcoal comes from the cleaning of trees, an activity that normally takes place between January and March.
After the cutting, the "traça" (wood cutting) is done, which is the cleaning of the trunks. This results in a quantity of wood that is taken close to the place where the oven will be. In some localities, this act of transporting the wood close to the oven is called "rechega" (a kind of "rechega").
The oven is normally built in a previously selected location, on flat land with "good, non-floury" soil.
Text taken from the book: Tradição por Terras Dentro (Tradition in the Lands Within).
Charcoal, a versatile and essential fuel source, is created through a fascinating process that involves converting wood into a concentrated carbon-rich material. Over the years, both traditional and modern methods have been employed to produce charcoal from wood, each with its own set of advantages. Near S. Bartolomeu do Outeiro we can view charcoal makers in laboration...