Charcoal calculator
How much charcoal do I need?
Tell us which kamado you have, the temperature you will cook at and for how many hours. We tell you how much charcoal to load, whether it fits in the firebox in one go, what the session will cost and which charcoal suits that use.
Approximate consumption by size and temperature
Kilos of lump charcoal per hour of stable fire, with the kamado closed. Briquettes give similar heat but weigh more and leave more ash. In cold or wind, add a quarter.
| Size (diameter) | Firebox | Low100-130 °C · smoking | Medium150-200 °C · roasts | High220-260 °C · grilling | Pizza300 °C or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini (up to 35 cm)Joe Jr, MiniMax, Monolith Junior | ≈1.4 kg | 80 g/h | 140 g/h | 330 g/h | 540 g/h |
| Small (36-42 cm)Kamado Bono Mínimo 40 | ≈1.9 kg | 100 g/h | 170 g/h | 410 g/h | 680 g/h |
| Classic (43-51 cm)Classic, BGE Large, Monolith Classic | ≈2.7 kg | 140 g/h | 280 g/h | 550 g/h | 900 g/h |
| Large (52-58 cm)LeChef, Bastard Large, KettleJoe | ≈3.5 kg | 180 g/h | 350 g/h | 690 g/h | 1.13 kg/h |
| XL (59 cm or more)Big Joe, BGE XL, Summit E6 | ≈4.5 kg | 230 g/h | 460 g/h | 910 g/h | 1.49 kg/h |
How we calculate it
Consumption. We start from a consumption table by kamado size and temperature band, drawn from manufacturers' manuals and published tests, and adjust it for fuel and conditions. A closed kamado burns little because the ceramic insulates; what drives usage up is opening the lid and cold air.
Load. We multiply consumption by hours and add a 20% margin, with a minimum load so the fire starts well. If the load exceeds your kamado's firebox capacity, we warn you: either refill halfway or change the plan. Whatever is left when you close the vents can be reused.
Tips to burn less charcoal
- When you finish, close both vents: unburnt charcoal is reused next session.
- Do not fill the chamber to the top if you do not need to: you get surplus charcoal and the heat runs away.
- Fine pieces and dust at the bottom choke the fire; put big pieces down low.
- Shake out the ash before each load: it blocks the grate holes and starves the fire of air.
Frequently asked questions
How much charcoal does a kamado use in a session?
Far less than an open barbecue: a classic kamado at 110 °C burns about 0.3-0.4 kg per hour, and around 0.6 kg at 180 °C. A short grilling session takes 1-1.5 kg; a 10-hour smoke, 3-4 kg plus the margin. What does not burn can be reused.
Should I fill the firebox to the top?
For long cooks, yes: fill to the rim of the firebox (not the chamber) and light in a single spot; the fire advances slowly and holds the temperature. For a short grill session half a firebox is enough: less charcoal, less ash and less waste.
Lump or briquettes?
For a kamado, lump charcoal: less ash (important in a closed chamber), more heat for pizza and searing, and no binders. Briquettes give a very steady temperature and suit medium roasts, but they make more ash and can choke the draft on long sessions.