Binchotan Charcoal is about 97% carbon. Called 'White Charcoal' due to the white ash residue, the name ‘Binchotan’ comes from a famous Japanese charcoal artisan, Binchoya Chozaemon. Kishu Binchotan Charcoal remains the finest, densest and purest form and is still handmade through a process passed down through generations.
Binchotan Charcoal is a type of Activated Charcoal that has been traditionally made for over 300 years by charcoal makers in the Kishu province of Wakayama, Japan. Perfecting a technique that produced charcoal of extraordinary purity, they use the extra hard Ubame Oak that grows in the forested hills of Kishu, carefully and sustainably choosing branch clippings, stacking them inside large kilns built into the mountains and then burning them at low temperatures over several weeks to control the oxygen flow. Lastly, they increase the temperature inside the kiln to above 1000oC and monitor the colour of the smoke. Once the smoke is clear, all impurities have been burnt away.
Our Binchotan Charcoal is imported and, while we trial and search for a local hardwood charcoal that can burn at the same temperatures as Binchotan Charcoal, this is the best value. This Binchotan Charcoal is sourced from sustainable forests in Thailand. It costs about $4-5 per grill and will give you 2-4 hours of high temperature grilling which is extended if the oven smoker is added.