A video lasting just 22 seconds, posted on Facebook by Cuban content creator Suramia Castro, went viral this week on social media, as it showcased a simple household method for reusing charcoal that remains lit after cooking.
The video of Suramia on Facebook has garnered over 13,000 reactions and nearly 600 comments in just 48 hours, figures that reflect how deeply the issue of coal resonates with Cubans both on the island and abroad.
The Suramia proposal is as simple as it is effective: instead of letting the burning charcoal burn out completely after cooking, it is placed with tongs into a container of cold water to extinguish it immediately.
Once they are cool, they are removed and left to dry completely in the sun before being reignited for the next cooking.
“Here I show you how to recycle your lit charcoal, my love. This method has allowed me to make much more out of a bag of charcoal. It has also helped me save money, as every time I go to buy a bag of charcoal, the prices are rising.”, explained the creator in the clip.
His conclusion is straightforward: “Once this coal dries, you can use it and it will be as good as new without any issues.”
When in doubt about whether water-extinguished coal is still usable, the answer is straightforward: "When it's dry, you can light it again."
Why does this advice resonate so strongly?
The success of the video is not coincidental. Charcoal has become the de facto domestic fuel for millions of Cuban families in the wake of the collapse of the electric supply and the practical disappearance of liquefied gas.
The state-owned company CUPET indefinitely suspended the distribution of liquefied gas in Santiago de Cuba and the eastern provinces since January 2026. Power outages have affected up to 72% of Cuban territory simultaneously in August.
In that scenario, the price of a bag of coal may exceed 4,000 pesos in several provinces, compared to the 900-1,400 pesos it cost in December 2024, and it represents almost half of a professional's monthly salary, which is around 6,930 pesos.
The paradox is that Cuba exported charcoal worth 61.8 million dollars in 2023, ranking as the ninth largest exporter of the product in the world, while its citizens have nothing to cook with.
A trend that continues to grow
The Suramia video adds to a well-established trend of survival tutorials that have flooded Cuban social media over the past two years.
In April 2025, a Cuban went viral on TikTok showing how to light charcoal with oil, gasoline, or paper, with a phrase that summarized the situation: "This is what most Cubans are using to cook."
In November 2025, the sawdust stove gained popularity, capable of burning for up to 24 hours.
In March 2026, creator Yumail published a tutorial on how to light charcoal without fuel using nylon and polystyrene, which also went viral.
The Pinar photographer Mikely Arencibia Pantoja summarized it in July with a widely circulated phrase:
"There was a time when charcoal was associated with farmers, outdoor festivities, or those looking to add a special flavor to their meals. Today, in Cuba, charcoal supports millions of households. How sad that it has been charcoal, and not progress, that ended up sustaining the kitchens of an entire country."
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