Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory 3 May 2015

After we checked out from our hotel at Penang, we were wondering around to look for nice breakfast to eat. We have no idea until we reached the Penang bridge and crossed to the other side of the main land. Daddy goggled through the internet using his hand phone, and found out this very cheap and nice place to eat Dim Sum, called Restoran Chaw Chuan at Butterworth.

We were heading to the shop using Waze App. After driving for quite some time, we finally reached the shop, and both Daddy and Mummy were really amazed by the size and varieties of the type of Dim Sum, such as porridge, bake items, pau items, pan fried items, desserts, cakes, steamed items, etc. We really have a satisfying Dim Sum breakfast with reasonable price.

Daddy just suggested that we left Penang and go to Kuala Sepetang since it is just an hour ride journey.

I just knew that Kuala Sepetang is an interesting place to visit as the small town itself is full of historical moments and the great number of interesting places to visit and experience, along with the abundant heritage, history and culture of the place.

I was already making a quick mental note to return for another visit which we are able to stay longer to explore the town.

While Kuala Sepetang is predominantly a Chinese fishing village, its economy is driven by related industries such as fish farms, shrimp breeding farms, boat building and also the famous charcoal kilns.

When we arrived, we found out that the entire charcoal making location was occupied by a few charcoal factory companies. The scene looked no different from a dusty and dilapidated ghost town with endless rows of wood stacked up along the walls of buildings.

The charcoal factory at Kuala Sepetang is indeed a remarkable hidden gem, at least to me. I am both surprised and ashamed as a Malaysian for not being aware of this intriguing national heritage that produces charcoal the old fashion way.

The straight road opened up to a small square where a rustic sign which read “Chuan Seng” was seen nailed to a louvre wooden wall to my right. And this is the most famous charcoal factory at Kuala Sepetang. We just went in and have a self-guided tour to see around.

The making of the charcoal is in such a way that first, the factory has to procure mangrove logs, cutting them into lengths of 1.6m.

After debarking, logs weighing some 20kg each, are moved to the charcoal kiln, where 1,500 logs are neatly arranged along the wall of the igloo-shaped kiln which is 7m in height.

With only a small ‘door’, a fire is lighted, by burning some other logs of wood, and as the days pass, the opening of the kiln is closed little by little until it is entire sealed, except for four small windows around the side of the kiln.

As you can imagine, the mangrove logs are not burned in the charcoal-making process but instead, water is extracted and dried by the heat.

Through the dampness and temperature of the steam that escapes from the windows, expert workers are able to check on the drying process, until the logs are entirely dry.

The first stage of the process takes about ten days. From a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius, it is increased to 230 degrees Celsius over the next fourteen days in the second stage.

Once the charcoal is ready, all apertures of the kiln are sealed and another eight days are allowed for the charcoal to cool down.

The end product, after some 32 days, is then ready to be removed, a job reserved for the womenfolk.

Going through this process, 100kg of mangrove wood is reduced to only 26kg of charcoal, or colloquially known as “black gold”.

At today’s price of RM1 per kilogramme of charcoal, I wouldn’t say this is a lucrative task. However, this 80+ year old factory continues to thrive as 60% of charcoal produced are exported to Japan.

After the charcoal factory trip, we drove to the town and stopped by buying some snacks to eat, and we spotted the famous Port Weld railway station which was located at the centre of town.

The whole railway line from here to Taiping, which was the first railway line in the Peninsular, is now dismantled, and now only the ticketing booth and the Port Weld railway signboard remain. We took a photo at the signboard.

Then, we left the town and going back home and ended for our short holiday trip ^^.

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