ChadRex
TVWBB Super Fan
Well I have been looking all over my area for a decent Lump charcoal: that burns long time with little to no ash.
My Top options are based on recommendations and reviews at nakedwhiz.com
#1 Japanese Binchotan:
#2 Coconut Charcoal: great option pleasant odor no little to no ash, no smoke wood flavor
I am disappointing at the limited options available in my area;
Home Depot/Lowes even Costco carries Cowboy & Stubs both packaged by Cowboy known to ship with gravel, plywood pieces and what ever makes it into the bag.
BBQ Galore sells the GreenEgg brand and their own branded. Not too impressive reviews
I have looked all over for highly recommended Wicked Good Weekend Warrior , Royal Oak, or Ono Charcoal which i remember from Hawaii.. no luck.
Charcos is not easily available either.
I have gotten in contact with KK Coco and they will drop ship Minimum 5 boxes at their Carson Warehouse.. = Promising but expensive
I know the best lump is the Japanese Binchotan... and I have looked all over the local Japanese and asian markets in my area, I live near a highly Japanese populated area of Los Angeles, County... even the Japanese markets ( Marukai, Nijiya, Mistuwa) do not have impressive options.
In my search for Japanese grill shichirin..Nori-sans shop came up and I recalled how nice a place it was.
I bought some knives and japanese pull saws from him years ago.. never even knew about binchotan then..
After talking to my wife, we decided to venture to Anzen Hardware Anzen Hardware- located in historic Little Tokyo of Los Angeles ..Privatly owned by Nori Takatani "Nori-San"
I was able to get Japanese Binchotan charcoal..
It is quite expensive at $5.00/lb however well worth it, can be used multiple cooks if done correctly. Nori's service alone made it worth the cost. he generously hand picked th ebest pieces even gave 1/4# extra , the quality is top notch and shipped from Japan.
Nori is the most humble generous business owner, I called him while fighting my way through LA Traffic and although he was closing at 5:30p he not only waited for me before closing, he had all the things sitting out ready for me when I arrived. He even blocked off a space right in front of his shop for me to park!!! He knew exactly what I wanted and explained the details of how properly to light binchotan and the best way to preserve it after cooking with it.
The Binchotan I bought today is very different than lump, it is harder (actually makes a clinging glass like sound when knocking the pieces together.) I cant wait to see how it burns...
I also picked up a takoyaki griddle,
it was a bit over priced at his shop but the service made it well worth supporting small business owners like Nori.
I will fire the grill up tomorrow night and post picks later.. Cant wait!!!!
My Top options are based on recommendations and reviews at nakedwhiz.com
#1 Japanese Binchotan:
#2 Coconut Charcoal: great option pleasant odor no little to no ash, no smoke wood flavor
- KomodoKamado Sustainable Coconut
- Charcos
I am disappointing at the limited options available in my area;
Home Depot/Lowes even Costco carries Cowboy & Stubs both packaged by Cowboy known to ship with gravel, plywood pieces and what ever makes it into the bag.
BBQ Galore sells the GreenEgg brand and their own branded. Not too impressive reviews
I have looked all over for highly recommended Wicked Good Weekend Warrior , Royal Oak, or Ono Charcoal which i remember from Hawaii.. no luck.
Charcos is not easily available either.
I have gotten in contact with KK Coco and they will drop ship Minimum 5 boxes at their Carson Warehouse.. = Promising but expensive
I know the best lump is the Japanese Binchotan... and I have looked all over the local Japanese and asian markets in my area, I live near a highly Japanese populated area of Los Angeles, County... even the Japanese markets ( Marukai, Nijiya, Mistuwa) do not have impressive options.
In my search for Japanese grill shichirin..Nori-sans shop came up and I recalled how nice a place it was.
I bought some knives and japanese pull saws from him years ago.. never even knew about binchotan then..
After talking to my wife, we decided to venture to Anzen Hardware Anzen Hardware- located in historic Little Tokyo of Los Angeles ..Privatly owned by Nori Takatani "Nori-San"
I was able to get Japanese Binchotan charcoal..


It is quite expensive at $5.00/lb however well worth it, can be used multiple cooks if done correctly. Nori's service alone made it worth the cost. he generously hand picked th ebest pieces even gave 1/4# extra , the quality is top notch and shipped from Japan.
Nori is the most humble generous business owner, I called him while fighting my way through LA Traffic and although he was closing at 5:30p he not only waited for me before closing, he had all the things sitting out ready for me when I arrived. He even blocked off a space right in front of his shop for me to park!!! He knew exactly what I wanted and explained the details of how properly to light binchotan and the best way to preserve it after cooking with it.
The Binchotan I bought today is very different than lump, it is harder (actually makes a clinging glass like sound when knocking the pieces together.) I cant wait to see how it burns...
I also picked up a takoyaki griddle,

it was a bit over priced at his shop but the service made it well worth supporting small business owners like Nori.
I will fire the grill up tomorrow night and post picks later.. Cant wait!!!!
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