CHARCOAL GRADES
The three numbers that define a charcoal grade, and how to match the grade to the application.
Three things define a grade
When buyers talk about charcoal grade they are usually talking about three measurable properties: ash content, moisture content and burn time. Everything else is secondary.
Ash is the mineral residue left after combustion. Moisture is the water still held in the charcoal. Burn time is how long a piece sustains a usable flame or ember.
The grade bands
| Grade | Ash content | Moisture | Burn time | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super premium | Under 1.6 percent | Under 5 percent | 2 to 2.5 hours | Premium shisha, restaurant grilling |
| Premium | 1.8 to 2.5 percent | Under 5 percent | 1.5 to 2 hours | BBQ, shisha, retail bags |
| Industrial | Up to 7 percent | Higher | Shorter | Industrial fuel, soil amendment |
Why ash matters
Ash is the main quality signal in charcoal. High ash means more impurities, more dust and a shorter, dirtier burn. For shisha and food grilling, ash directly affects taste and smell. For industrial fuel, ash matters less but still affects the heat output per kilogram.
Why moisture matters
Wet charcoal is hard to light, burns cooler and produces more smoke. For retail and food use, moisture under 5 percent is the standard. For industrial use, higher moisture is sometimes tolerated because the buyer is paying for weight, not performance.
Why burn time matters
Burn time is what the end user experiences. A shisha session should last 90 to 120 minutes without needing to change coals. A restaurant grill should hold temperature through a service period. Burn time is driven by density, fixed carbon content and how the charcoal was carbonised.
What we supply
We adjust ash, moisture and burn time to the buyer's specification. Our current standard sits in the premium band: ash under 2.5 percent, moisture under 5 percent, burn time 1.5 to 2 hours. We can produce to super premium or industrial grades on request.