Cleaner and greener are the watchwords in the barbecue fuels market.
According to a survey by Standard Brands, which owns firelighter and charcoal brands Zip, Sunny Jim and Drummer, more than a fifth of households have charcoal barbecues, while 13% own a gas one. The barbecue fuel market is now worth £33m [Nielsen 52w/e 3 October] and the range of fuels on offer is increasing.
This year Zip is launching 100% natural Lumpwood Charcoal and Hardwood Briquettes. Zip claims these burn hotter for longer, get to cooking temperature quicker and produce less ash and smoke than other charcoals.
"Barbecue fuels are often used as a loss leader for wine and meat sales but it doesn't have to be that way," says Zip business development and marketing director Simon Bullen. "Our new range, which also includes firelighters and firelogs, gives retailers increased profitability through repeat purchase as a result of consumer satisfaction."
Zip sources its charcoal from sustainable sources and no trees are felled in its production; harvesters prune or coppice the trees, which then grow back. The company also works with Trees for the Future, an agroforestry charity that helps people in developing countries improve their livelihoods through the introduction of sustainable land management projects.
Another producer with strong charity ties is The BioRegional Charcoal Company, which was set up in 1995 to develop sustainable charcoal and firewood products. The products, which it claims are carbon neutral, are stocked in selected The Co-operative Group, Sainsbury's and Tesco stores. Another alternative is BioBBQ corn husks, which are processed as a by-product of corn seed cultivation in France.
The husks, which are also claimed to be carbon neutral, are used in France as barbecue fuel and kindling for wood-burning stoves. They are becoming available over here through independent retailers.
And watch out this year for the BarbeSkew, which made an appearance on Dragons' Den. It is a cross between a barbie and a spit roast, rotating the food slowly to reduce the risk of burning. While Theo Paphitis didn't invest the £180,000 the company wanted, he did buy one for £300!
Focus On Barbecue
According to a survey by Standard Brands, which owns firelighter and charcoal brands Zip, Sunny Jim and Drummer, more than a fifth of households have charcoal barbecues, while 13% own a gas one. The barbecue fuel market is now worth £33m [Nielsen 52w/e 3 October] and the range of fuels on offer is increasing.
This year Zip is launching 100% natural Lumpwood Charcoal and Hardwood Briquettes. Zip claims these burn hotter for longer, get to cooking temperature quicker and produce less ash and smoke than other charcoals.
"Barbecue fuels are often used as a loss leader for wine and meat sales but it doesn't have to be that way," says Zip business development and marketing director Simon Bullen. "Our new range, which also includes firelighters and firelogs, gives retailers increased profitability through repeat purchase as a result of consumer satisfaction."
Zip sources its charcoal from sustainable sources and no trees are felled in its production; harvesters prune or coppice the trees, which then grow back. The company also works with Trees for the Future, an agroforestry charity that helps people in developing countries improve their livelihoods through the introduction of sustainable land management projects.
Another producer with strong charity ties is The BioRegional Charcoal Company, which was set up in 1995 to develop sustainable charcoal and firewood products. The products, which it claims are carbon neutral, are stocked in selected The Co-operative Group, Sainsbury's and Tesco stores. Another alternative is BioBBQ corn husks, which are processed as a by-product of corn seed cultivation in France.
The husks, which are also claimed to be carbon neutral, are used in France as barbecue fuel and kindling for wood-burning stoves. They are becoming available over here through independent retailers.
And watch out this year for the BarbeSkew, which made an appearance on Dragons' Den. It is a cross between a barbie and a spit roast, rotating the food slowly to reduce the risk of burning. While Theo Paphitis didn't invest the £180,000 the company wanted, he did buy one for £300!
Focus On Barbecue
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