How is charcoal made

How Charcoal Is MAde

By our British artisans

STEP 1

Tree collection

Trees are collected from our beautiful British woodlands and forests. They are all either wind fallen, coppiced or felled as part of a forestry programme. Each tree is identified by species and taken into account to ensure we’re in-tune with the tree population's health and nurturing its regeneration.

STEP 2

Seasoning

Trees are stacked in Charcoal yards to season. A newly felled tree can have up to 70% moisture and for great charcoal, it needs to be closer to 20%. The only natural way to do this is through exposure to the elements, time and patience. Seasoning lasts from 6 months to 2 years.

STEP 3

Preparing for fire

The seasoned logs are split and if necessary, further kiln dried to achieve the perfect moisture levels. The dried logs are then placed systematically into a specialist oven called a charcoal retort (which come in lots of different shapes and sizes).

STEP 4

Lighting the Flame

Once loaded and sealed, the retort chamber is super heated from an adjacent fire box, to anywhere from 300°C - 500°C depending on the species of wood. Such high temperatures enable the wood breakdown process - expelling moisture, oils and flammable gases from the wood.

STEP 5

The Pyrolysis Process

Pyrolysis is thermo-treatment where wood is exposed to high temperatures in an oxygen-starved chamber. It creates chemical and physical separation without ever making contact with a direct flame. This carefully monitored process carries on until gases are completely burnt off, indicating that the wood has completed the conversion process and is now 90% carbon, incredible charcoal and worthy to be part of the House of Charcoal family.

STEP 6

Cooling, Grading, Packaging

Once the charcoal is below 40C, it’s emptied from the retort and is ready for grading. The charcoal passes over a filter which sorts the chunks, leaving dust and small bits behind and allowing the larger pieces to graduate into craft bags. Each craft bag is hand-sealed to keep the contents clean and contained.

STEP 7

Storage and Delivery

After that, our British charcoal is stored and awaiting your next order.

About Birchwood

Birchwood is located in the lower Wye Valley of Herefordshire. John, his brother and four generations of the Jackson family have nurtured their woodland for over 40 years. Granted the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1985, John and the team at Birchwood continue to maitain their Ancient Semi-Natural high forest with an outstanding population of daffodils and bluebells. Their natural charcoal making process is focused on respecting their forest, efficiency, fewer pollutants and sustainability - creating a high quality charoal that produces less smoke and a cleaner burn.

Shop Birchwwood

Our British Charcoal. Your essential ingredient

Bring out true flavours, wow your guests, reduce the carbon footprint.

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Mixed Hardwood Charcoal

Yorkshire Charcoal Company

An exclusive from god’s own county and our founders beloved Yorkshire, this medium density mixed hardwood charcoal delivers consistent heat, with subtle smoky flavours and a long burn.

£31.00 8KG

Beech Charcoal

Whittle & Flame

A dense charcoal that is suited perfectly for low and slow and also for cooking directly on the coals. Sustained heat, low smoke and very little ash residue. Definitely worth the experience!

£22.00 4KG

Norwegian Maple

Whittle & Flame

Every now and again the local forests around Whittle & Flame throw up a surprise and this is a perfect example! We have a very limited stock of this precious charcoal, so you’ll need to move quickly. Enjoy as its unlikely ever to return.

£25.00 4KG

Oak Charcoal

Slate Hill Charcoal

Despite the perception that Oak charcoal delivers a strong smoke flavour, that’s not the case because of the high carbon levels so you’re buying this for its great burn properties. This is a hugely versatile charcoal and a great all rounder!

£28.00 4KG

Mixed Hardwood Charcoal

Dorset Charcoal

This charcoal from deepest Dorset is an amazing all-rounder for all types of cooks and delivers a subtle, sweet and smoky flavour. This is great charcoal!

£23.00 5KG

Sycamore Charcoal

Whittle & Flame

A less dense charcoal so your bag will be full! Perfect for medium / high heat and a very subtle smoky flavour. A beautiful, shiny charcoal!

£22.00 4KG

Ash Charcoal

Whittle & Flame

One of our all-time favourites and a go to charcoal when you need a solid all-rounder to barbecue different types of cooks. You can’t go wrong with this lovely stuff!

£20.00 4KG

Ash Charcoal

Slate Hill Charcoal

This is a brilliant single species charcoal that tends to have larger chunks. Takes easily, burns quietly with no hissing or popping delivering a light smoky taste.

£25.00 6KG

Mixed Hardwood Charcoal

Birchwood Charcoal

A brilliant, all-round mixed hardwood charcoal from the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. The aromatic smoke absorbs into food and delivers a very balanced, light smoky flavour.

£27.00 6KG

Birch Charcoal

Whittle & Flame

If we are able to say this without coming across a bit weird, this charcoal is beautiful! It has a stunning sheen, is the favourite for many a flame-connoisseurs for lamb and fish – subtle smoky taste with a hint of sweetness. Amazing charcoal!

£23.00 4KG

Ash Charcoal

Stag Charcoal

One of our all-time favourites and a go to charcoal when you need a solid all-rounder to barbecue different types of cooks.

£27.00 6KG

Purechar Whittlebricks

Whittle & Flame

These smokeless and totally neutral 100% natural Purechar bricks add a clean, natural heat and extends burn time for fire cooks for up to 4 hours! Game changers.

£22.00

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It’s an ingredient. Simples. But not the kind you’re used to. We are huge advocates of the subtle flavours charcoal can imbue...