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Cooking with Charcoal: The Basics
Natural Lump Charcoal v Briquettes
Charcoal is widely available in different sizes, shapes and even flavours. Charcoal fuel is split into two main
categories: Lump Charcoal and Briquettes. Please keep in mind that charcoal should be considered as an
ingredient: the better the quality, the better the flavour.
Natural Lump Charcoal
We recommend using natural lump charcoal with the Everdure by Heston Blumenthal
4K.
Natural lump
charcoal contains no artificial additives or chemicals. It has a low ash content and most importantly, burns
hotter. Natural lump charcoal is processed in a kiln and allowed to dry before packing. Sizes can vary by
quite a big amount, but the
Everdure by Heston
Natural Lump Charcoal is size graded for a consistent
cooking performance and great flavour. See everdurebyheston.com for more information.
Briquettes
Briquettes are a popular choice as they are convenient. Briquettes usually have a consistent “pillow shape”,
though it is worth noting this uniformity is not natural. Briquettes are a manmade, processed fuel that
contain binders, fillers and chemicals. They usually contain around 20% non-combustible materials that
leave behind a much higher volume of ash than natural lump coal does. Briquettes do offer a consistent
burn time, albeit at a much lower temperature than natural lump coal. This type of fuel can be used with
the Everdure by Heston Blumenthal
4K,
however you will achieve a shorter ignition time and better overall
cooking performance using natural lump charcoal.
Wood chips
Wood chips are a great flavour enhancer. The most common flavours are Mesquite, Hickory and Cherry.
Always avoid putting wood chips directly onto the flame and instead, place them slightly to one side of
the burning coal. The indirect heat from the charcoal will make the chips smoulder and smoke, rather than
instantly ignite. This gentle smoke will flavour the food.
Weather Conditions
As the
4K
relies on a clean supply of oxygen to keep the fire burning, it is always worth remembering that
different weather conditions can radically change the cooking time and oven temperature (i.e. a cold, breezy
day will influence the
4K
more than a warm, still or damp day).
It should be expected that the same recipe can take slightly longer or quicker on different days, based on
the weather conditions.
Lump charcoal
Briquettes
