Binchotan – Maru (Whole)

Binchotan Ware (Split), represents the highest grade of charcoal available today. Japanese Ubame Oak (slow growing, very dense wood) branches are hand selected by 5th generation charcoal craftsmen and then baked in hand-built clay kilns at 1200° C. Using a technique called Pyrosis, these craftsmen limit the amount of oxygen inside the kiln which results in the carbon being captured in the wood. In addition to being 90% carbon at completion, the charcoal is rich in the minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. The pieces are split in two which creates an easier-lighting charcoal that is ready to cook over in a shorter amount of time. Many chefs prefer to start their grills with a couple of strategically organized pieces of split charcoal and then work in larger, whole pieces. Others prefer the split for smaller applications if they may have only a handful of items on the menu to grill over this fuel. Binchotan, or White Charcoal is not actually white, it gets its name from the process used to quickly cool the charcoal when it is removed from 1200° clay kiln. Master craftsman shovel a mixture of sand, soil and ashes over the lava-hot charcoal to lock in all of the benefits of this method, resulting in a 90% carbon, mineral rich, slow burning, almost smokeless and nearly flavorless fuel. This charcoal is the preferred fuel of Japan’s finest chefs for these qualities. Not the hottest fuel, but the most consistent in temperature and burn time. The powerful infrared radiation of this fuel enables the chef to maximize the flavor and aroma of anything they cook over it.