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CHARCOAL 101 · 21 March 2026 · 4 min read

How to read a charcoal specification sheet

Six values appear on almost every sheet. Knowing which two matter for your use avoids overpaying for the rest.

Fixed carbon and moisture do the work

Fixed carbon broadly indicates how much fuel is present, and moisture indicates how much of the weight is water you are shipping and burning off. Read these two together before anything else on the page.

Ash and volatile matter shape the experience

Ash content shows up as residue in the grill; volatile matter influences smoke and how the charcoal behaves in its first minutes. For food service, both affect the kitchen more than a marginal difference in heating value.

Insist that the numbers come from a report

A specification is only as good as the laboratory report behind it. Ask for the report, check the sampling date, and be cautious of round figures that appear on every supplier sheet in the market.

If a supplier cannot show the report behind the number, treat the number as a hope.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY

Read fixed carbon and moisture together first.

Weigh ash and volatile matter against your service conditions.

Ask for the laboratory report and its sampling date.

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