Everything You Need to Know About Charcoal: The Do’s, Don’ts & Why Local Matters

With barbecue season in full swing, it’s tempting to grab the nearest bag of charcoal and fire up the grill. But not all charcoal is created equal—and choosing the right one can make a world of difference to your food, your fire, and even your health.

Here’s everything you need to know before you next light the barbecue

🔥 The Do’s of Buying Charcoal

✅ Do choose lumpwood charcoal.

Lumpwood is made by burning hardwood in a low-oxygen environment, leaving behind pure carbonised wood. It lights quickly, burns hot, and adds a natural smoky flavour to food.

✅ Do buy from a trusted, local source.

Locally produced charcoal tends to be fresher, drier, and more sustainable. At Kent Charcoal theirs is made in small batches from British hardwoods, meaning you get high performance with a low environmental impact.

✅ Do store it properly.

Charcoal should be kept somewhere dry. If it absorbs moisture, it’ll be harder to light and may smoke excessively.

✅ Do ask what’s in the bag.

 Good charcoal should be made from 100% natural wood—no additives, no binders, no nonsense. Our Kent Charcoal is exactly that: just pure mixed hardwood, and nothing else.

❌ The Don’ts of Charcoal Buying

🚫 Don’t buy the cheap supermarket stuff.

Yes, it might be tempting, but many cheap bags are full of compressed briquettes soaked in chemicals to help them light. These can give off nasty smells and taint your food.

🚫 Don’t use lighter fluid.

If you’re using high-quality lumpwood, you won’t need it. Not only is lighter fluid unnecessary—it can be dangerous, and your food will taste like petrol.

🚫 Don’t forget your kit.

A chimney starter is the best way to light your charcoal quickly and evenly without chemicals. Pair it with our natural firelighters and you’re good to go

Why Buy Local Charcoal?

Local charcoal supports small-scale producers who do things properly. Ours is made from sustainably sourced British hardwoods and produced in traditional retorts. It’s low-smoke, high-heat, and ready to go when you are.

By buying local, you’re also cutting down on emissions—no shipping halfway around the world—and keeping your money in the local economy. It’s a win-win

Free Delivery from Sevenoaks Firewood

Whether you’re topping up your firewood or prepping for a summer of grilling, we deliver our premium-grade charcoal straight to your door—with free local delivery included. 

It’s clean-burning, chemical-free, and comes in recyclable 3kg bags.

Final Thoughts

Barbecue season shouldn’t be a battle between convenience and quality. With the right charcoal, you get better flavour, safer cooking, and a more enjoyable experience from the first spark to the last bite.

So skip the cheap stuff, support local, and get yours delivered the easy way.