How Is Our British Lumpwood Charcoal Made?

How Is Our British Lumpwood Charcoal Made?

Have you ever wondered how a piece of British hardwood becomes the charcoal you cook your BBQ over?

At Chiddingfold Charcoal, our lumpwood charcoal is made here in Chiddingfold, Surrey using sustainably managed British hardwood. While the principle of charcoal making is centuries old, the process requires careful control to turn timber into good-quality lumpwood charcoal.

It Starts With British Hardwood

Before there is charcoal, there is timber.

The wood we use comes from sustainably managed British woodland. Active woodland management and coppicing produce a renewable supply of timber while allowing the woodland to regenerate and grow again.

The timber is cut into suitable lengths and prepared ready for the charcoal-making process.

Loading the Kiln

The timber is carefully packed into the kiln.

How the wood is loaded matters. The aim is to make good use of the available space while allowing the heat to work effectively throughout the load.

Once loaded, the kiln is closed and the charcoal-making process can begin.

Turning Wood Into Charcoal

Making charcoal isn’t simply a case of burning wood.

The timber needs to be heated in an environment where the amount of oxygen is controlled. As the temperature rises, moisture is driven from the wood and the process of carbonisation begins.

Rather than allowing the timber to burn completely away into ash, the process leaves behind carbon-rich charcoal.

It’s this transformation that turns heavy pieces of hardwood into the lightweight black lumpwood charcoal that eventually goes into our bags.

Controlling the Process

Charcoal making takes time and attention.

Temperature and airflow need to be controlled as the process develops. The smoke coming from the kiln can also give the charcoal maker an indication of what’s happening inside.

When the carbonisation process is complete, the charcoal needs to be allowed to cool before the kiln can safely be opened.

From Timber to Lumpwood Charcoal

When the kiln is opened again, the transformation is remarkable.

The timber that went in has become lightweight, natural lumpwood charcoal while largely retaining the shape and structure of the original pieces of wood.

The charcoal can then be sorted and graded before being bagged ready for your BBQ.

Made Here in Chiddingfold

For us, charcoal making is closely connected to woodland management.

We’re not simply selling a bag of BBQ fuel. We’re taking British timber produced through woodland management and turning it into a useful, natural product here in Chiddingfold, Surrey.

The result is British lumpwood charcoal that lights quickly, burns hot and is ready for everything from a family BBQ to a pizza oven.

Next time you open a bag of Chiddingfold Charcoal, you’ll know a little more about the journey it’s taken – from British woodland to your BBQ.