Big K

Origins and track record

Big K is a British supplier of barbecue and catering fuels, founded in 1986. After nearly four decades, it has become a familiar name in charcoal and briquette distribution across the UK and continental Europe, serving both home cooks and professional kitchens. It does not make grills or kamados; its focus is fuel, the ingredient that so often decides how a cook turns out.

The product we carry

In our catalogue we list the Big K Lumpwood charcoal in a 10 kg sack. Lumpwood is charred wood in irregular chunks, with no binders or additives, which on paper means a fast light-up, high working temperatures and less ash than a standard briquette. The 10 kg format suits anyone who cooks often and prefers to buy in bulk.

Our assessment

Based on the specifications, the wider user community and our own experience cooking on our Big Green Egg Large, lump charcoal is the natural choice for a ceramic kamado: it reaches and holds temperature well and fouls the firebox less than briquettes. Its honest weakness is inconsistent piece size: as with almost all lumpwood on the market, a sack can mix large pieces with small fragments and some dust, so it pays to sort before a long session. It competes with names such as Weber, Kokoko and Namara in the charcoal category for grills and kamados.

Who it is for

It is a solid pick for anyone after a reliable everyday charcoal in a large format, both for direct-heat grilling and for long kamado cooks. If your priority is a very uniform calibre for fine ember control, you may prefer a hand-selected premium lumpwood; for daily use, Big K does the job.