The differences between Dorset hardwood charcoal and charcoal briquettes:

Dorset Hardwood Charcoal: 100% natural hardwood from well managed local woods.

Ingredients: 100% natural charcoal for a real wood-grilled flavour.

Charcoal briquettes: Briquettes are manufactured with charcoal powder combined with fillers (i.e. sand, straw, etc.). The briquettes are then coated with a petroleum product to maintain its shape. The grey ash colour appearing while it burns is caused by this product. If fact, it also causes the briquettes to take a much longer time to turn on and reach ideal barbecuing temperature. You also evidently need a liquid lighter fluid.

Ingredients: Other brands composed of a mix of ingredients (may contain):
• Lignite coal and sulphur   • Sodium nitrate   • Limestone
• Starch   • Borax   • Charred sawdust.

The difference between Dorset hardwood charcoal and gas barbecue:

What a question!

There is one main reason why gas barbecues are amongst us today; its because its practicality and that is about it, but even this can be disputed with the ease with which Dorset charcoal lights and reaches cooking temperature. Gas does not come close to charcoal its terms of taste. In fact you have to add flavoured wood in order to compensate. Gas barbecues do not reach desired temperatures and exposes your meal to a high amount of humidity. These two elements prevents proper searing of your meats and vegetables. You may as well be cooking indoors!

How can a product that’s been transported half way around the world claim to be environmentally friendly?

Energy savings have been quantified, showing that on average the supply of local British produced charcoal products compared with imports from S. America or S. Africa use only 15% of the energy required for transport. Local production of charcoal and firewood for local needs has positive environmental and social implications. Bringing coppice woodlands back into rotations encourages a greater diversity of flora and fauna. Retaining our countryside heritage with locally based industries promotes rural employment and a greater sense of well being amongst the community.

Charcoal and firewood can be a good use for low value wood. Moreover, local deliveries eliminate the necessity for long-haul transportation and the production and supply of local charcoal has been shown to reduce fossil fuel consumption by over 85%.

Chemical Analysis

Carbon - 75 - 90%
Oxygen - 5.5 - 20.0%
Hydrogen - 1.5 - 3.5%
Nitrogen - 0.01 - 0.05%
K - 2,400 - 9,400 mg/kg
Ca - 9,000 - 32,000 mg/kG
Mg - 1,200 - 3400 mg/kg
Porosity - 80 - 94%
pH - 8.5
Reducing agent (antioxidant)