Binchotan charcoal

The charcoal that originated in Japan is Binchotan. One of the main reasons why most people like using Binchotan charcoal is because of its efficiency and the heat it produces. A remarkable fact about Binchotan is that it can burn for about 4 to 6 hours, and once it is extinguished, you can still reuse it.

Binchotan is a type of charcoal with a high carbon content. Which makes for an almost pure composition, and you can taste that. Binchotan is made in a traditional way, in kilns made of stone and clay. Burning this charcoal requires a lot of experience that there is a separate trade for it: Binchotan burner.

Producing Binchotan is a difficult and time-consuming process. One cycle of making about four hundred kilos of Binchotan takes 15 days. That cycle starts with collecting wood and ends with it being packed into boxes. Herewith a small overflight of what happens in between. The collected wood is first carefully placed in the kiln and heated at about 200 °C for about 10 days with minimal oxygen supply. This minimal oxygen supply ensures that the wood does not burn but decomposes. Because so little oxygen is supplied, an almost completely pure composition of carbon is eventually formed. When the smoke coming out of the kiln is just the right colour, the wood has decomposed and the oxygen supply is increased. The kiln reaches a temperature as high as 1,000 °C. This stops as soon as the charcoal takes on a red glow. The final step is rolling the charcoal in ash and sand, giving it its distinctive grey glow. After all, it's not called Binchotan white for nothing.

Want to buy Binchotan charcoal? Check for a dealer near you, or browse the entire range in charcoal.

Caution! Do not use Binchotan charcoal kamado. If you use Binchotan in your Kamado, your Kamado can be damaged by the high temperatures of the Binchotan.

Which is better Binchotan or Marabu?

You can't really compare Binchotan and Marabu because they both have different purposes. Binchotan is meant for in a Shichirin because it releases little smoke. Marabu is best used in your Kamado, because Marabu allows you to control the temperature well. With Marabu, you can therefore use different cooking techniques such as hot & fast and low & slow.
 

What varieties of Binchotan are there?

And so you have Binchotan, with a wonderful carbon percentage of no less than about 95.9%. Binchotan gives no smoke, does not splutter and burns at a constant temperature. Compared to Marabu charcoal, it burns quieter and neater. There are different types of Binchotan. Here are the differences:

• Binchotan Eucalyptus has a carbon percentage of 95.9%. The charcoal bed can reach a temperature of 870 to 1000 °C. The total burn time is on average 4 hours.
• Binchotan Maitiew has a carbon percentage of 96-98%. The charcoal bed can reach a temperature of 1000 to 1200 °C. The total burn time is 6 hours on average.
• Binchotan Lychee has a carbon percentage of 95.9%. The charcoal bed can reach a temperature of 870 to 1000 °C. Total burn time is 4.5 hours on average.

How do you light Binchotan?

Because Binchotan is tricky to light, it is best done in these two ways.

Way 1

1. In your Shichirin, make a charcoal bed of, say, Acacia or Marabu.
2. Put a Fire Lighter or Wood Wool between the charcoal and let it burn
3. When the charcoal is lit, you can place your Binchotan on top of it.
4. The Binchotan will light by itself due to the glowing coals.
    

Method 2

1. You start by filling your centrepiece with Binchotan. Place the pieces of Binchotan straight up in the middle piece
2. After this, place the bottom with the logo facing downwards on a fireproof surface. Place firelighters or another firestarter on the bottom. Then place the middle piece on top.
3. After 15-30 minutes, the Binchotan will glow and you can fill your grill. CAUTION: always do this with tongs or heat-resistant gloves.

 
Versatility of Binchotan!

Binchotan can also be used for other table barbecues. Once you've tried these coals on your BBQ, you won't want to live without them. The coals are of the best quality. 

You can use Binchotan not only in a table grill, but also for other purposes. As a water filter, for example, Binchotan filters all bad substances out of the water and can itself release minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium into the water.

You can also use it to get rid of all the foul odours in your house or fridge. If you keep Binchotan in your fridge, you get rid of all bad smells and your products stay a lot fresher. Also, if you break it up into pieces and place it in your houseplants, it adds nutrients to the soil that will help the plant grow.