Evaluation of different burning characteristics of charcoal.

 
To evaluate the burning characteristics of the different charcoal it is necessary to adopt a lighting method that is suitable for the most difficult to light. The method used is explained below.
   
50 ml of barbeque lighter fluid is used for each sample. This is carefully sprayed onto the coals to avoid waste.
   
A single piece of firelighter is used with each sample and this is placed in the middle of each charcoal pile.
   
Once the charcoal is alight, its temperature is measured using a thermocouple, capable of recording up to 1100 °C.
   
Using the lighting procedure outlined above, the following temperature charcteristics are observed. Note how the sample of English lumpwood reaches both higher temperatures, and a given temperature more quickly. The easy lighting charcateristics of English lumpwood allow users to light the charcoal with no more than rolled paper and a match - fire lighters and lighter fluuid are not strictly necessary.