Selecting quality charcoal briquettes is essential for achieving the optimal BBQ and shisha experience. High-quality briquettes provide longer and more stable burning while reducing unwanted smoke and odor. Here are some tips to help you choose the best charcoal briquettes for your BBQ and shisha needs.
1. Choose the Right Base Material
The base material of charcoal briquettes can affect their quality and burning performance. Quality briquettes are typically made from natural materials such as coconut shell charcoal or hardwood.
- Coconut Shell Charcoal: It has high density, provides longer burning time, and produces consistent heat. These briquettes also produce less ash and smoke, making them ideal for both BBQ and shisha.
- Hardwood Charcoal: Generally more affordable and still offers good performance for BBQ. However, these briquettes may produce more ash compared to coconut shell charcoal.
2. Consider the Size and Shape of the Briquettes
The size and shape of charcoal briquettes can impact the burning duration and heat distribution. Choose briquettes with the size and shape that suit your needs:
- BBQ: For BBQ, cube or cylinder shapes are often preferred as they provide stable and even burning.
- Shisha: For shisha, small cube shapes are preferred as they are easy to arrange on the shisha bowl and provide consistent heat without burning the tobacco too quickly.
3. Check for Chemical Content
Quality charcoal briquettes should not contain harmful chemicals that could contaminate food or the smoke you inhale. Ensure that the briquettes you choose are free from chemical additives, dyes, or artificial binders. Natural and organic briquettes are usually the best choice.
4. Evaluate Ash and Smoke Levels
High-quality charcoal briquettes should produce minimal ash and smoke. Low ash levels make cleanup easier after BBQ or shisha sessions, while less smoke ensures the food remains delicious without a burnt or bitter taste.
5. Check Burning Duration and Calorific Value
The burning duration and calorific value are key indicators of charcoal briquette quality. High-quality briquettes should have a long burning duration and high calorific value.
- BBQ: The ideal burning duration is around 4-5 hours, with a high enough calorific value to maintain stable heat.
- Shisha: The ideal burning duration is around 1.5-2 hours, with sufficient calorific value to ensure an enjoyable shisha session without frequent charcoal changes.
6. Consider Briquette Stability and Strength
Good charcoal briquettes should be strong and stable, not easily cracking or breaking during transport or use. Test the strength of the briquettes with a simple pressure test: quality briquettes will not easily break or turn to dust when pressed.
7. Choose a Trusted Brand
Trusted brands usually provide consistent quality that has been tested by many users. Look for reviews and recommendations from other users to ensure you get high-quality briquettes.
8. Ensure Availability and Price
The price of charcoal briquettes can vary depending on their quality and base material. However, make sure you choose briquettes that offer the best value for your money. Additionally, ensure the briquettes you choose are readily available in the market or through trusted sellers.
Conclusion
Choosing quality charcoal briquettes for BBQ and shisha is not difficult if you know what to look for. Focus on the base material, size and shape, chemical content, ash and smoke levels, burning duration, stability, brand, and price and availability. By considering these factors, you can enjoy an optimal BBQ and shisha experience with high-quality charcoal briquettes.
