What is sawdust charcoal?

What is Sawdust Charcoal?

Sawdust charcoal, also known as “Ogatan” in Japanese, is a type of charcoal made primarily from sawdust (a byproduct of the wood processing industry). The sawdust is compressed, heated, and shaped into charcoal, effectively reducing waste and utilizing recycled materials.

In the past, sawdust was discarded, but due to its potential, it began being processed into fuel charcoal. Nowadays, thanks to advancements in manufacturing technology, sawdust charcoal has become an easy-to-use and cost-effective product, widely used in restaurants and food establishments for cooking purposes, particularly for grilling.

Although sawdust charcoal is produced in several countries, the unique features of Vietnamese sawdust charcoal set it apart, and the following sections will explore these differences.

The Emergence of Sawdust Charcoal in Vietnam

Sawdust is a byproduct of the wood processing industry, mainly derived from hardwoods such as ironwood, ebony, and others. Traditionally, sawdust was either discarded or poorly processed, leading to wasted resources. However, with advancements in production technology, sawdust has become a crucial raw material in the creation of sawdust charcoal, which brings significant economic value.

Since the 2000s, sawdust charcoal production in Vietnam has been developing rapidly. Factories have been using sawdust from hardwoods available in wood processing areas to manufacture charcoal. Modern production technologies, such as high-temperature carbonization, have enabled the creation of high-quality sawdust charcoal. The development of this industry has also helped address waste in the wood production process, increasing income for households and businesses.

The sawdust charcoal industry in Vietnam not only meets domestic demand but is also exported to many countries. Vietnamese sawdust charcoal is gaining popularity for its good quality and reasonable price. Producers are investing in new technologies to improve productivity and minimize environmental impact, ensuring the sustainable development of the industry in the future.

Shape and Characteristics of Sawdust Charcoal

Sawdust charcoal is made by compressing and heating sawdust into a block shape, followed by high-temperature carbonization. The charcoal takes uniform shapes, such as cylindrical, square, hexagonal, or smaller block forms, depending on the production process, is tightly compressed, and has a hollow interior (like a tube or with a hole in the center). This distinctive feature helps reduce the risk of explosions (commonly known as “popping” in traditional charcoal) during combustion and ensures stable burning.

Due to its structure, which has fewer sealed gas pockets, sawdust charcoal experiences less risk of explosion during combustion, making it safer. The ash produced after burning sawdust charcoal is generally minimal; however, the amount of ash may vary depending on the type of wood used and the production region.

The raw materials used to produce sawdust charcoal in Vietnam are primarily high-quality woods such as ironwood, ebony, and others. These woods produce charcoal with superior burning stability and longevity. These woods not only increase the combustion temperature but also reduce smoke and odor, ensuring safety and convenience during use.

The production process of sawdust charcoal involves compressing and heating sawdust in a furnace at a temperature of around 1,200°C. After this, the charcoal is removed from the furnace and naturally cooled. This process results in a product similar to white charcoal. Some large-scale production facilities may automate this process to improve production efficiency.

Thanks to its easy ignition and stable combustion, Vietnamese sawdust charcoal can maintain high temperatures over an extended period (4-6 hours), making it an ideal choice for outdoor activities like BBQs. Additionally, when buried in ash, sawdust charcoal can continue to burn for over 12 hours.

Characteristics of The Charcoal Co.’s Sawdust Charcoal

Our sawdust charcoal is produced from sawdust of high-quality woods such as ironwood, ebony, and others. After being compressed and heated, it forms charcoal with remarkable characteristics. Here are the special features of the sawdust charcoal we supply:

Distinctive Metallic Shine

Our sawdust charcoal has a unique metallic shine when viewed across its surface, making it stand out clearly from other types of charcoal. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the product but also increases its durability and heat resistance, helping to maintain stable temperatures throughout use.

Conductivity and High Stability

One of the standout features of our sawdust charcoal is its conductivity, which opens up various applications in industries requiring conductive materials. Additionally, the product can maintain a high combustion temperature over an extended period (4-6 hours), providing superior performance in grilling or BBQ activities without the need to add more charcoal.

Long Burning Time, Low Ash

Our sawdust charcoal produces minimal ash, with no smoke or unpleasant odors during combustion. Thanks to its special structure, the product not only burns for a long time but also leaves very little ash behind after use. This is a significant advantage for those looking for efficiency and convenience in cleaning and using charcoal.

Uses of Sawdust Charcoal

Our sawdust charcoal is uniform in shape and quality across all grades, affordable, and maintains high temperatures for long periods. With its special structure, which ensures even heat distribution and no risk of explosion, this sawdust charcoal is an ideal choice for restaurants specializing in grilled dishes such as meat skewers and chicken BBQ. Additionally, it is increasingly popular in outdoor activities like camping and BBQs due to its long burn time, low smoke, and absence of unpleasant odors.

Sawdust Charcoal Production Process

Raw Material Collection
We source our raw materials, primarily sawdust, from reputable traditional craft villages. These villages are known for their sustainable wood processing practices, ensuring that the sawdust used is free from contaminants. This high-quality raw material serves as the foundation for producing premium charcoal.

Drying
Once collected, the sawdust undergoes a drying process to reduce moisture content to 10-15%. This step is crucial for ensuring efficient briquetting and carbonization, preventing issues that may arise from excess moisture.

Briquetting
The dried sawdust is then compressed into solid briquettes. These briquettes are carefully formed to ensure they are strong and uniform, providing the perfect foundation for producing durable charcoal with higher carbon content and consistent performance.

Carbonization (Pyrolysis)
The briquettes are subjected to a controlled pyrolysis process, where they are heated in the absence of oxygen at high temperatures. This process converts the sawdust into charcoal, enhancing its carbon content and producing a more robust structure. The resulting charcoal exhibits a distinctive metal-like sound when tapped.

Weathering Process
After carbonization, the charcoal is removed from the kiln and allowed to cool naturally in the open air. This natural cooling process helps the charcoal stabilize, ensuring that it maintains its integrity, smooth surface, and minimal cracks, ready for the next stages of production.

Quality Control During Production
Throughout production, we implement strict quality control measures. Each batch of charcoal is tested to ensure it meets our high standards for performance, including being odorless, spark-free, and smoke-free. Our charcoal is also guaranteed to be stronger, with a higher carbon content compared to conventional charcoal.

Packaging Process
Once the charcoal has passed all quality control checks, it is carefully packaged to maintain its integrity. Packaging is done in a way that preserves the charcoal’s smooth surface and solid structure, ensuring it remains in top condition during transportation and storage.

Quality Control When Purchasing Sawdust Charcoal
Before shipment, we perform an additional round of quality checks to ensure that the sawdust charcoal delivered meets the specific needs of our customers. This ensures that every batch retains its strength, high carbon content, and optimal burning characteristics.

Export Delivery
Once quality control is complete, the charcoal is packed securely for export, meeting all international shipping standards to ensure it arrives safely and ready to use.

Ready to Grill
When it reaches your location, our premium sawdust charcoal is ready to deliver an exceptional grilling experience. With its longer burn time, high carbon content, and the absence of odor, smoke, and sparks, it is perfect for creating top-tier grilled dishes with ease.

With our high-quality sawdust charcoal, you can enjoy a superior grilling experience, with stronger, higher-carbon content charcoal that is free of odors, smoke, and sparks. Its smooth surface, excellent heat conduction, and durable performance make it a perfect choice for those looking to achieve the best grilling results.