Critical to the success of any great barbecue is the quality of the lumpwood charcoal. Not the hardware, not technique and not even the ingredients. Surprised? We thought you might be.
Critical to the success of any great barbecue is the quality of the lumpwood charcoal. Not the hardware, not technique and not even the ingredients. Surprised? We thought you might be.
First and foremost are the origins of charcoal. The UK burns 110,000 Tonnes of charcoal each year and 95% of it is imported. The majority of imported charcoal is produced by destroying vast swathes of forests on the other side of the world, with little consideration or acknowledgement of sustainability or appreciation of environmental or humanitarian impact. Its industrial scale production emits toxic gases that damage the environment and harm the people who work there. The wood is mostly unnamed, the species unaccounted for, the lands unnurtured and 10% of the world’s slavery is involved in charcoal manufacturing, including children. The quality is, on the whole, poor.
Transport insurance requires the need for fire retardant sprayed on the charcoal to prevent combustion. Upon arrival on our shores, a fire accelerant is applied to reverse the suppressant. Those nasty chemicals don’t fully burn off and permeate our food when lit. Bottom line: It’s not healthy and it tastes like sh*t.
Using House of Charcoal products means your fire is 100% British made from British trees. It’s 100% natural - free from combustibles, nasties, and made using conscious, consistent and proven production methods. All trees used to create our charcoal are named, sustainable hardwoods from British woodland creating a deeper understanding of our product and allowing us the knowledge to refine heat control, burn length, smoke amounts, ash residue and most importantly - a flavour profile that complements and enhances whatever you have planned for the grill.
