Without oxygen, the raw material can’t catch on fire. So instead, the process “forces” out the more volatile elements within, including hydrogen and oxygen, revealing a carbon-rich product—that, yep, is what you’d know as charcoal.
And how would one go about “activating” the charcoal? Answer: by injecting the charcoal with hot air, carbon dioxide, or steam to create a lattice of tiny pores, vastly increasing its surface area.
One gram of activated carbon has a surface area of more than 3,000 m2 (32,000 sq ft) as determined by gas adsorption. To put that into perspective, that’s about a fifth of the Olympic running track’s area, which comes in at 14,594 m2 (157,092 sq ft).
Bottom line? Activated charcoal is carbon that has been specially treated to increase its affinity for odors, gases, and excess moisture—drawing and removing them from the environment for fresher, cleaner air.
There are two primary reasons.
Better than coal or wood
First, activated charcoal made from coconut shells is incredibly dense in micropores (85% to 95% of its surface area). That means it has way more space to form dispersion forces—sticky forces that act between all substances microscopically—with airborne pollutants, odors, and water droplets.
In other words? Coconut shell activated charcoal is a more potent air purifier, deodorizer, and dehumidifier than that produced from either coal or wood.
Eco-friendly option
The second reason? They’re gentle on our earth. Coconut shells are typically treated as agricultural waste and discarded in landfills. So, upcycling coconut shells ensures that we’re giving them a second lease of life while reducing our reliance on wood-based (which involves cutting down trees) and coal-based (a non-renewable energy source) charcoal.
Effective and sustainable—what’s not to love?
Still have questions?
Can I use BBQ charcoal instead?
No, you cannot. The briquettes you use in your grill aren't the same as activated charcoal. Though they’re both made of residue left from burning carbon-rich organic materials, activated charcoal is oxygenated, making it far more porous.
What we're trying to say here is: save the BBQ charcoal for your weekly cook-off sessions.
Is it safe around pets and kids?
Yes, it’s safe! Our activated charcoal air purifiers are non-toxic, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic; it’s completely safe to use around pets and little ones.
In small quantities, activated charcoal is also perfectly safe to consume—although, we still have to remind you: don’t ingest them.
Does it remove mold, dust, or pollen?
Unfortunately, no. Those are fine particles (i.e., particulate pollutants) better addressed by a HEPA filter.
That said, our activated charcoal air purifiers can remove dampness from the air, keeping mold, mildew, and various airborne allergens at bay.
Can I pour out the contents of the bag?
You can. But we believe the bags help make for a mess-free air purifying experience. And it makes sunning the activated charcoal—which helps keep it working as it should—much easier.
