So, sit back, and prepare yourself for a whole load of information that will help you further in your grilling career. We hope this blog helps you make the decisions in choosing the best charcoal for your grilling needs.
If you are looking for the best charcoal for the YAKINIKU® Kamado, there are several options to consider. We have listed some suggestions below:
BBQ Flavour Marabu Charcoal: The Marabu charcoal is 100% natural and lasts 14 to 24 hours depending on the temperature at which you are grilling. Marabu also develops little to no smoke due to its complete carbonisation. There are no chemical additives in this Marabu charcoal, which preserves the natural flavour of your dishes. Because Marabu burns so long, it is ideal for prolonged cooking sessions. Some of the dishes you can prepare include spareribs, pulled pork and desserts. We have made apple pie, speculoos and applesauce, for example.
BBQ Flavour Acacia Charcoal: Acacia charcoal is ideal to use if you want to grill high and fast. This is because Acacia can achieve very high temperatures in a short time. Also, Acacia does not spatter and is hugely economical to use. Because you can achieve such high temperatures with Acacia charcoal, it is ideal for preparing steaks, burgers, vegetables and grilled shrimps or fish, for example. With this charcoal, the outside of these products becomes crispy and the inside stays nice and juicy.
EldurApi Cocos Briquettes: These Cocos Briquettes are very popular for its eco-friendly nature and even burning performance. These briquettes are made from sustainably harvested coconuts. The charcoal of these briquettes is first charred and then pressed. Coconut Briquettes provide clean and consistent heat, which is ideal for cooking on the Kamado. EldurApi also has the Cocos Briquettes with Cascara and Herbs. Each of these gives a unique flavour to your preparations. These briquettes are great for low and slow cooking sessions but also when you want to add extra flavour to your dish. Use them, for instance, when grilling caveman style. Check out our recipes for puffed pumpkin or roasted leeks.
BBQ Flavour Briquettes Hexagon: These charcoal briquettes are made from compressed sawdust and burn long and consistently. These briquettes are restaurant quality. We supply many (star) restaurants with these briquettes and they use them in their grills or Shichirin. These briquettes are not sensitive to the addition of oxygen and therefore burn extra long. This charcoal is a very environmentally conscious choice as it is made from sawdust. This actually makes these Hexagon briquettes a combination between Marabu and Cocos briquettes because of the long burn time and the ecological aspect.
How much charcoal should you put in the Kamado?
How much charcoal you should put in the Kamado depends on a number of different factors, such as the size of your Kamado, the type of dish you want to prepare and your desired cooking method. In general, we would recommend filling the Kamado to about 75-80% with charcoal for most cooking. This means filling the charcoal to slightly below the rim of your coal basket.
When preparing dishes that require longer cooking times, such as low-and-slow preparations, you may need to use a larger amount of charcoal. In that case, you can apply a thicker layer of charcoal of about 5 to 7 centimetres.
It is also very important to adjust the Kamado's airflow vents to control the desired temperature. More charcoal can generate a higher temperature, while less charcoal to find the ideal amount for your Kamado and cooking style.
Which charcoal suits you?
When choosing the best Kamado charcoal for you, it is also important to consider what your personal preference in this area is and what your cooking style is. You can keep a number of factors in mind when picking out charcoal:
Burn time: Some charcoals have a longer burn time than others. If you want to have longer cooking sessions, you can choose charcoal with a longer burn time such as Marabu charcoal.
Heat: Different types of charcoal produce different heat levels. If you want to cook dishes at high temperatures, you can choose charcoal with high heat output like Acacia charcoal.
Flavour profile: Each charcoal type has its own unique smoke flavour that can add to the flavour of your dishes. Some charcoals, such as Marabu charcoal, have an intense smoke flavour, while others bring more subtle flavours.
Size and shape: Charcoal comes in different sizes, such as small pieces, briquettes or large pieces. The choice depends on your grilling needs and the type of food you want to cook.
It is always a good idea to try out different types of charcoal and experiment with flavours and performance to discover which ones suit you and your Kamado best. For average cooking and novice grillers, we would recommend Marabu charcoal.
How do you light the Kamado?
First fill the coal basket until it is about 75-80% full. Make several craters in the charcoal and place the Wood Wool in them Light the Wood Wool and wait a few minutes for the surrounding coals to take over the heat. Now you can close the lid of the Kamado. Make sure the air vents are fully open so that the fire can take in enough oxygen to rise in temperature. Want to know the best way to control the temperature in the Kamado? Then read our blog: How to control the temperature.
You can also light the charcoal using the Bincho pan. The pan consists of three parts, a lid, a middle piece and a bottom. You start by filling your middle piece with charcoal. Caution! Never use Binchotan in your Kamado as these temperatures reach too high and the Kamado cannot handle this. Now you can place the bottom with the logo down on a fireproof surface. Place 2-3 Wood Wool wokkels in this and light it. Immediately put the middle piece on top. After 15 to 30 minutes, the charcoal will glow and you can fill your Kamado.