I had previously been getting coals out and quenching them in water, but I didn’t think the quality of biochar was as good—very hard and rigid, which makes me think not so porous. Willow is also a softer wood so that may help.
The biochar makes a very musical, clinky sound which as far as I remember indicates a high quality.
This is the video where I saw something like the technique. I haven’t seen it in a while so maybe it’s a bit different: