Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue

In recent years there has been a strong increase in interest in the world of barbecues and outdoor cooking in high-income countries. Referring to FAO data, an exponential growth in imports of charcoal was observed in Europe and North America. Italy is one of the major European consumers and importer...

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Main Authors: A. Mencarelli, R. Cavalli, R. Greco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-08-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022013408
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author A. Mencarelli
R. Cavalli
R. Greco
author_facet A. Mencarelli
R. Cavalli
R. Greco
author_sort A. Mencarelli
collection DOAJ
description In recent years there has been a strong increase in interest in the world of barbecues and outdoor cooking in high-income countries. Referring to FAO data, an exponential growth in imports of charcoal was observed in Europe and North America. Italy is one of the major European consumers and importers. On the market it is possible to find material with different characteristics and origins. However, analysis aimed at ascertaining the quality of the material are poorly performed. This research aimed to analyze the energy properties of charcoal commonly available on the Italian market. Twenty-four bags of charcoal and charcoal briquettes were analyzed. Eighteen samples represent the products most easily found on the market, in stores and on websites. In addition, six samples were supplied directly by the producer/importing company. The samples were grouped according to the continent of origin of the material (Europe, North-Central America and South America). Charcoal briquette samples were included together in a group. Referring to the ISO 17225-1 standard, the moisture content, ash content, heating value, volatile matter and fixed carbon were determined. Except for the moisture content, the results of the tests performed on all parameters show a strong variability both between different groups and within the same group. In detail, the European charcoal samples show characteristics more suitable for their use in barbecues. These have the highest values of fixed carbon and heating value and, at the same time, low values of ash and volatile matter. On the contrary, charcoal briquettes have less suitable characteristics for barbecue. The work also highlighted some gaps in the reference standard relating to laboratory analyses. To ensure careful control of the qualitative characteristics of the products on the market, it is necessary to promote the creation of a quality brand.
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spelling doaj.art-b4f8fc3e70e84d8ab14467446e32c8ab2022-12-22T02:09:01ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402022-08-0188e10052Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecueA. Mencarelli0R. Cavalli1R. Greco2Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro (PD), 35020, ItalyDepartment of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro (PD), 35020, ItalyCorresponding author.; Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro (PD), 35020, ItalyIn recent years there has been a strong increase in interest in the world of barbecues and outdoor cooking in high-income countries. Referring to FAO data, an exponential growth in imports of charcoal was observed in Europe and North America. Italy is one of the major European consumers and importers. On the market it is possible to find material with different characteristics and origins. However, analysis aimed at ascertaining the quality of the material are poorly performed. This research aimed to analyze the energy properties of charcoal commonly available on the Italian market. Twenty-four bags of charcoal and charcoal briquettes were analyzed. Eighteen samples represent the products most easily found on the market, in stores and on websites. In addition, six samples were supplied directly by the producer/importing company. The samples were grouped according to the continent of origin of the material (Europe, North-Central America and South America). Charcoal briquette samples were included together in a group. Referring to the ISO 17225-1 standard, the moisture content, ash content, heating value, volatile matter and fixed carbon were determined. Except for the moisture content, the results of the tests performed on all parameters show a strong variability both between different groups and within the same group. In detail, the European charcoal samples show characteristics more suitable for their use in barbecues. These have the highest values of fixed carbon and heating value and, at the same time, low values of ash and volatile matter. On the contrary, charcoal briquettes have less suitable characteristics for barbecue. The work also highlighted some gaps in the reference standard relating to laboratory analyses. To ensure careful control of the qualitative characteristics of the products on the market, it is necessary to promote the creation of a quality brand.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022013408CharcoalCharcoal briquettesCharcoal propertiesProximate analysisBarbecueHeating value
spellingShingle A. Mencarelli
R. Cavalli
R. Greco
Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
Heliyon
Charcoal
Charcoal briquettes
Charcoal properties
Proximate analysis
Barbecue
Heating value
title Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
title_full Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
title_fullStr Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
title_full_unstemmed Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
title_short Variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
title_sort variability on the energy properties of charcoal and charcoal briquettes for barbecue
topic Charcoal
Charcoal briquettes
Charcoal properties
Proximate analysis
Barbecue
Heating value
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022013408
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