Eli5: How is Charcoal activated and what makes it different from normal charcoal?

Question

I’m trying to see if I can make my own activated charcoal diy, from bonfire charcoal and if it is equally as good as the purchased activated charcoal.

In: 817

Answer 1

It’s heat treated with steam which causes it to kinda puff up similar to popcorn, which gives it more surface area to ‘catch’ stuff.