28.08.24

Make the Right Choice

Choosing the right charcoal can transform both your food and your environmental footprint. In this Kadai Know-How guide, we explore how to select sustainable charcoal that’s better for your barbecue and the planet.

  • Person holding a brown paper bag with 'Caradoc' charcoal branding on grass next to a wooden table.
  • Close-up of a grill with charcoal and dirty cooking beetroot

Does the Type of Charcoal Make a Difference?

When it comes to outdoor cooking, the type of charcoal you use plays a crucial role, not only in the quality of your food but also in its environmental impact. It should be treated as an ingredient in its own right, with good quality, sustainably sourced charcoal imparting a clean, natural flavour to dishes.

Charcoal briquettes are one option, made from sawdust and wood by-products. Briquettes burn consistently and slowly, making them good for long cooks, however they often contain chemical additives that can negatively affect your food. Another option is lumpwood charcoal, a great choice for your barbecue. This form of charcoal is 100% natural, lights easily, and reaches high temperatures perfect for searing steaks, fish, and vegetables.

  • Beets with green tops on a bed of charcoal
  • Person pouring hot coals from a metal container into a barbecue grill.
  • Person using a metal container to add charcoal to a barbecue grill outdoors.

What to Look for When Buying Charcoal

Go British to Reduce Air Miles
Opt for British-made lumpwood charcoal. Choosing locally produced charcoal significantly reduces air miles, lowering the carbon footprint of your BBQ. Many imported charcoals come from tropical forests in South America and Africa, contributing to deforestation and long-distance transportation emissions.

Person filming another person filling a charcoal starter up with british charcoal.

Avoid Chemicals and Additives
Cheap, mass-produced charcoal often contains chemicals that can impact your food and the environment. Imported varieties are particularly problematic as they may include:

Fire suppressants to prevent self-combustion during shipping
Fire accelerants to make lighting easier

These additives need to burn off before you start cooking, potentially releasing harmful residues into the air.

Hot white charcoal in the bottom of a Kadai BBQ Bowl.

Look for FSC Certification
For a truly eco-friendly BBQ, select lumpwood charcoal certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This certification ensures the charcoal is made from responsibly managed woodlands, supporting sustainable forestry practices.

Choosing sustainable BBQ charcoal doesn’t just benefit the planet, it enhances your cooking experience, ensuring your food is prepared over natural, chemical-free embers, producing that irresistible barbecue flavour we all know and love.

Alternatively you can make your own at home ...

homemade charcoal

Kadai Award Winning Charcoal Maker

Awarded RHS Sustainable Product of the Year, the Charcoal Maker lets you create your own natural charcoal at home using just wood and your Kadai Fire Pit.

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How to Choose Sustainable Charcoal

Choosing sustainable charcoal is essential for anyone serious about sustainable barbecue. British sustainable charcoal, especially British lumpwood charcoal, offers a clean burn, high heat, and natural flavour without chemical additives. By selecting eco-friendly BBQ charcoal from responsibly managed sources, you reduce environmental impact while improving cooking performance. At Kadai, we recommend using quality sustainable charcoal to honour traditional fire cooking and ensure a more responsible, authentic barbecue experience.