As title really, where can I get some charcoal at this time of year, Derby / Nottingham area?

Cheers,
Duane

eBay, Amazon or possibly a garden centre.

Yer, it’s tricky at this time of year and I’ve been caught out in the past (so stock up at end of conventional BBQ season).

Garden centres are always worth a check if not it can be got online e.g. http://www.planetbarbecue.co.uk/sffurn.htm

Argos usually have some – not particularly cheap though.

Petrol station forecourts too.

I get mine from Amazon. Only makes sense if you want a lot though.

4 x 12kg lumpwood charcoal

12kg lumpwood charcoal

Booker cash and carry usually have restaurant grade at reasonable prices, it’s all I use all year round, some nice big pieces generally

EDIT: It’s the stuff in the amazon link above but about £9 a bag

Be careful of the costco lump, it’s shit (same as amazon link). I bought two bags and at least half of it was slag. Order some aussie heat beads.

aussie heat beads

I think he asked for charcoal didn’t he? not the sweepings off the floor compressed into a briquette…

Be careful of the costco lump, it’s shit (same as amazon link). I bought two bags and at least half of it was slag. Order some aussie heat beads.

I have used the stuff in teh Amazon link for a couple of years and I find it excellent. No slag at all.

At least they have been compressed! Very popular in competition BBQ, where they’re very highly thought of.
That restaurant grade stuff I had was so small it fell through the grates. Complete shite.

That restaurant grade stuff I had was so small it fell through the grates

Sounds like you got a bag that’d been thrown around a bit

Sounds like you got a bag that’d been thrown around a bit

Two in fact!

Cheers all. I popped down to B&Q, and they had a lot of the indoor charcoal stuff, like this;

http://www.coalproducts.co.uk/product/ecoal-instant-light

It didn’t say anywhere obviously that it could be used for cooking, but it also didn’t say that it couldn’t…

Thoughts?

It didn’t say anywhere obviously that it could be used for cooking, but it also didn’t say that it couldn’t…

Thoughts?

I wouldn’t go to a BBQ at your place!

Are you serious?

Any fuel merchant /yard type places near you? .. I used to work for one years ago, sold all sorts of fuel, coal, logs, charcoal, various bottled gasses.

Gobuchul – well that was kind of the point of asking the question… 🙂

You can make your own fairly simply, just need a fire and a suitable metal container.

Doesn’t pretty much every petrol station have bags of the stuff outside?

If it is smokeless coal it won’t work. We tried it once when I injured my ankle and sent my wife out to buy the fuel. Took hours and gave out no heat.

http://www.hotsmoked.co.uk they also have a cracking range of woods, etc etc

Walk into a supermarket.

Have you got anycharcoal in the back?

Walk out.

Hasn’t failed yet.

I tend to buy either from the local garden centre or, if I’m going for expensive Weber briquettes, from BBQ World (actually Dawsons dept store in Clitheroe).

I keep meaning to try the Oxford Charcoal Company but haven’t got round to it yet.

http://ben-law.co.uk/product-category/wood-fuel/

Jesus wept, is Dawsons still going? I used to love trawling round there with my grandfather when I was little, I’ve probably not been in since the late 80’s.

Get ours through our local coal merchant. They do the blue bags of restaurant grade. Works out to the same price as the rubbish from the supermarkets, but with actual pieces of charcoal (often have the break up some of the big bits with a hammer).

Summary:

Try your local coal merchant

Jesus wept, is Dawsons still going? I used to love trawling round there with my grandfather when I was little, I’ve probably not been in since the late 80’s.

It would seem so. I happened upon it for the BBQ stuff. The place is certainly a fascinating time warp…!

I have a friend involved here. http://www.heartwoodproject.co.uk/
They produce charcoal.
Maybe there is something similar in your area?

That blue bag restaurant coal is of variable quality. I get mine from a local farm shop for £9.95 a bag. Some bags good others very slaggy. Good for grilling though gets mega hot ideal for steaks, smells good too. For lid on low and slow Aussie Heat Beads are the best. The Range sell them. Or WOWBBQ are good online supplier

If you want good quality charcoal, and be sure its sustainably produced and want to support UK woodlands – look no further than – http://ncfed.org.uk/public/charcoal-suppliers/

has anyone used http://www.liverpoolwoodpellets.co.uk ?

Looks like good value when buying in bulk.

I took a punt and brought 10 bags, first BBQ tonight and it worked a treat… Well with aldi giant prawns, 1/2 price tesco’s cowboy chops + a bottle of finest malbec it would have been hard to scew it up!!

Very popular in competition BBQ

I have led a sheltered life 😀

andybach – Member

If you want good quality charcoal, and be sure its sustainably produced and want to support UK woodlands – look no further than – http://ncfed.org.uk/public/charcoal-suppliers/

What’s the average price per kg? I mean what’s the good price for “smokeless” charcoal …

I needed to buy some BBQ charcoal in early Jan once. I went in our local garage and asked. They didn’t have any on display on the forecourt but had a couple of bags in a storeroom that he was happy to sell to me.