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Which Is More Efficient, Briquettes or Charcoal?

IT DMK Cargo
Oct 3
2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

When it comes to fuel for cooking or grilling, the most common options are usually briquettes or charcoal. Both are popular, but they have different characteristics. The question is, which one is actually more efficient?

What Are Briquettes and Charcoal?

Charcoal is produced by burning wood with limited oxygen until it turns into carbon. Its shape is irregular, with pieces that can be large or small depending on the wood cuts used.

Briquettes, on the other hand, are made from biomass materials such as sawdust or coconut shells that are compressed into a certain shape. Since they are molded, briquettes are denser and more uniform, making them easier to stack and store.

Heat and Calorific Value

In terms of heat, both perform well. Coconut shell briquettes, for example, have a relatively high calorific value, especially when their moisture content is low.

However, charcoal also delivers strong performance. Charcoal made from high-quality hardwood can produce higher heat compared to some types of commercial briquettes. In other words, heat efficiency depends largely on the raw material used.

Stability While Burning

When it comes to stability, briquettes usually take the lead. Because of their uniform size, the heat they produce is more consistent. This is particularly useful for long cooking or grilling that requires steady temperatures.

Charcoal, on the other hand, is more fluctuating. Smaller pieces burn out quickly, while larger ones take longer to ignite. As a result, the fire temperature can rise and fall unevenly.

Durability

Briquettes are known to last longer, which means you don’t need to add fuel as often during the cooking process.

Charcoal, in general, burns out faster, especially if the pieces are small or fragile. This sometimes makes it less practical to use.

Ash and Smoke

High-quality briquettes usually produce less ash and smoke. However, if the quality is poor or mixed with impure materials, the residue can be higher.

Charcoal, particularly when made from hardwood, can burn relatively clean. But overall, it tends to produce thicker smoke compared to briquettes.

Environmental Impact

From an environmental perspective, briquettes are considered more eco-friendly since they are often made from agricultural waste or sawdust. Besides serving as fuel, their use also helps reduce waste.

Charcoal production, on the other hand, raises concerns. If not managed properly, the process can contribute to deforestation and put additional pressure on forests.