BBQ Charcoal & Gas

BBQ Charcoal Types Explained

Lump Charcoal

Premium natural hardwood charcoal made from whole pieces of wood. Lump charcoal burns hotter (up to 400°C+), lights faster, produces less ash, and provides authentic wood-fired flavour. Essential for kamado grills like Big Green Egg - the clean burn and low ash production allow precise temperature control and better airflow. Ideal for high-heat grilling, searing steaks, and achieving restaurant-quality results. More expensive than briquettes but offers superior performance and flavour.

Charcoal Briquettes

Compressed charcoal that burns longer and more consistently than lump charcoal. Briquettes maintain steady temperatures for 4-6 hours, making them ideal for low-and-slow smoking, extended BBQ sessions, and maintaining consistent heat. More affordable than lump charcoal and widely available. Good for kettle BBQs, traditional charcoal grilling, and budget-conscious cooks. Produce more ash than lump charcoal.

Binchotan (White Charcoal)

Premium Japanese oak charcoal that burns extremely hot (up to 1000°C), clean, and long-lasting. Used in specialist Japanese grills like Kasai Konro for yakitori and robata cooking. Binchotan provides intense radiant heat for restaurant-quality searing and authentic Japanese grilling. Burns for 4-5 hours with minimal smoke and ash. More expensive but offers exceptional performance for specialist cooking.

BBQ Gas Options

Most gas BBQs in the UK use propane (LPG) in bottles. Propane provides instant ignition, precise temperature control, and reliable performance in all UK weather conditions. We stock Flogas propane in-store at Oaktree Garden Centre. If you're looking for Calor Gas, it's available at World of Water at Oaktree Garden Centre.

Gas Bottle Sizes:

5kg: Portable BBQs and occasional use. Compact and easy to transport.

10kg: Standard family BBQs and regular use. Most popular size for home BBQs.

13kg: Large BBQs and frequent use. Best value for regular outdoor cooking.

Brand-Specific Fuel Recommendations

Big Green Egg: Always use premium lump charcoal - never briquettes. Big Green Egg premium lump charcoal is specifically designed for kamado cooking with clean burn, low ash, and excellent flavour. Essential for optimal performance and temperature control.

Weber Kettle BBQs: Accept both lump charcoal and briquettes. Lump charcoal for high-heat grilling, briquettes for extended cooking sessions.

Kasai Konro: Designed specifically for binchotan (white charcoal). The intense heat and clean burn of binchotan are essential for authentic Japanese yakitori and robata cooking.

Gas BBQs: Use propane (LPG) bottles. Check your BBQ specifications for compatible bottle sizes and regulator requirements.

Charcoal Storage Tips

Store charcoal in a dry location away from moisture. Keep in original bags or sealed containers to prevent absorption of moisture, which affects lighting and burning. Store in a garage, shed, or covered area. Damp charcoal is difficult to light and produces excessive smoke. Properly stored charcoal lasts indefinitely. Never store charcoal near flammable materials or heat sources.

Shop BBQ Products

• Big Green Egg Charcoal - Premium lump charcoal for kamado grills
• Charcoal BBQs - All charcoal BBQ models
• Gas BBQs - All gas BBQ models
• Big Green Egg - Ceramic kamado grills
• Kasai Konro - Japanese charcoal grills
• BBQ Accessories - Tools & equipment

Buy BBQ Charcoal Online with UK Delivery

Shop our range of BBQ charcoal online with UK delivery. Browse premium lump charcoal, briquettes, and binchotan with detailed specifications and brand recommendations. Compare fuel types to find the perfect charcoal for your BBQ and cooking style. Please note: gas bottles cannot be supplied online but are available in-store.

For local customers in Berkshire, Bracknell, Ascot, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead, and Reading, we offer showroom collection for both charcoal and gas. Visit our Berkshire showroom at Oaktree Garden Centre to purchase BBQ charcoal and gas. Flogas propane is available in-store, whilst Calor Gas is available at World of Water at Oaktree Garden Centre. Our specialists can advise on the best fuel type for your BBQ and help with gas bottle selection.

All charcoal and gas products are suitable for UK BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment. Shop online for convenient nationwide delivery of charcoal, or visit our Berkshire showroom for both charcoal and gas supplies.