MACHANG: Nik Zaki Alhadi Nik Mustapa is willing to drive 110km for return trip between Kota Baru and Bukit Tiu here, to process charcoal briquettes to meet the steady demand for the items from customers throughout Kelantan.
The 32-year-old commutes from his home to a charcoal briquette processing workshop in Kampung Bukit Tiu almost daily since he started the business over a year ago.
He needs to process more than one tonne of charcoal every month to meet the demand from customers.
He sells them through social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok.
"Alhamdulillah, the demand for charcoal briquettes is always there. Assisted by two workers, I can only process between 150 to 250 kg of charcoal a day," he said when met at the charcoal processing workshop in Kampung Bukit Tiu.
Nik Zaki said he also buys coconut shells from coconut milk shops around Machang, Kuala Krai, Kota Baru and Pasir Puteh.
"Because the workshop is located in a residential area, I will gather all the coconut shells collected before sending them to a burner in Kandis, Bachok.
"These coconut shells need to be burned in an open area to avoid thick smoke that could cause air pollution.
"Usually, I hire the coconut shell burner at a price of RM1 per kg of the items. The maximum delivery is 200 kg per week."
He said after collecting the burned coconut shells, he would process them in the workshop using a special mixing machine to crush the entire shell into dust.
"After that, I will dissolve it with water and starch to ensure it is easy to shape into briquettes.
"The drying process takes quite a long time as it is done manually, depending on the weather," said Nik Zaki, who learned how to make charcoal briquettes through YouTube.
He said said the demand for charcoal briquettes more than doubles during Ramadan and festive seasons as
compared to regular days.
"Although there are various modern equipment for grilling, there will always be demand for these charcoal items who prefer traditional methods using natural fuel," he said.
MACHANG, Nik Zaki Alhadi Nik Mustapa , Kota Baru , Kampung Bukit Tiu, charcoal, briquettes , NST, news, Malaysia