When you’re shopping for briquettes, it’s important to know that not all are created equal. One of the best ways to ensure you’re buying high-quality briquettes is by checking if they meet certain industry standards.
These standards are designed to guarantee that the briquettes are made from clean materials, are environmentally sustainable, and will provide reliable heat when you need it.
In Europe, the most respected certifications include ÖNORM M7135 from Austria and DIN51731 from Germany. There are also EU and British equivalents like BS EN 15210-1 2009 and BS EN 15210-2 2010.
While not every great briquette is certified—because the process can be lengthy and expensive—knowing what to look for can help you make the right choice for your home or business.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key industry standards to look for, and how to ensure you’re getting top-quality briquettes, even if they’re not certified.
Why Are Product Standards Important?
Product standards play a crucial role in helping you choose the best briquettes for your heating or grilling needs. These industry standards ensure that the briquettes you’re buying meet specific requirements for quality, safety, and environmental impact. By following strict guidelines, manufacturers produce briquettes that burn cleaner, last longer, and are made from sustainable materials.
When you see a certification on a bag of briquettes, it means the product has been tested to ensure it meets these key criteria. Standards like ÖNORM M7135 and DIN51731 are designed to guarantee that the briquettes are made from clean, renewable materials, without harmful additives or excess moisture. This not only helps protect the environment but also ensures you get reliable, efficient heat.
Knowing that your briquettes comply with recognized standards gives you peace of mind. It’s a sign that the product is trustworthy, sustainable, and of high quality, making your heating or grilling experience better and more efficient.
European Standards for Briquettes
When it comes to briquettes, European standards are some of the most reliable indicators of quality and sustainability.
These certifications ensure that the briquettes you’re buying meet strict criteria for composition, environmental impact, and performance. Here are the key standards to look for:
ÖNORM M7135 (Austria)
This Austrian standard focuses on ensuring that briquettes are made from high-quality, clean wood without any harmful additives.
It also sets guidelines for moisture content, density, and overall product quality. Briquettes certified by ÖNORM M7135 are guaranteed to burn efficiently and produce minimal smoke and ash.
DIN51731 (Germany)
Germany’s DIN51731 certification ensures that the briquettes are made from renewable, traceable sources.
This standard also emphasizes the use of eco-friendly production methods, ensuring that the briquettes are sustainable.
In addition to environmental criteria, DIN51731 briquettes are tested for consistency in burn time and heat output.
BS EN 15210-1 2009 and BS EN 15210-2 2010 (EU and UK Standards)
These European and British standards are similar to the Austrian and German certifications. They focus on the composition of the briquettes, ensuring that they are made from renewable, clean wood materials.
These certifications also guarantee that the briquettes are free from chemicals and other harmful substances, making them a safe and reliable choice for heating or grilling.
By choosing briquettes with any of these certifications, you can be sure you’re getting a product that’s been tested for quality, sustainability, and performance.
What Do These Standards Ensure?
When briquettes meet recognized industry standards, it means they’ve passed several important checks for quality and sustainability. Let’s break down what these standards guarantee:
1. Composition
Industry standards ensure that the briquettes are made from clean, high-quality materials—usually renewable wood or biomass. This means no harmful chemicals, glues, or additives are mixed in, which could otherwise release toxic fumes when burned. By meeting these standards, you know the briquettes will burn cleanly and efficiently.
2. Traceability
Certified briquettes must come from traceable sources. This means the manufacturers must be able to prove exactly where the raw materials came from, ensuring they are harvested or recycled in an environmentally responsible way. This level of transparency helps you trust the product and its environmental impact.
3. Environmental Sustainability
These standards also guarantee that the briquettes are produced in a way that minimizes harm to the environment. The materials used are renewable, and the manufacturing process follows strict sustainability guidelines. This ensures that the briquettes are a greener alternative to traditional fossil fuels like coal or oil.
4. Product Quality
Finally, industry standards set high bars for briquette quality, covering everything from moisture content to density.
Certified briquettes are designed to burn efficiently, last longer, and produce less ash. This gives you a reliable fuel source that delivers consistent heat with less waste.
In short, briquettes that meet these standards are better for the environment, safer to use, and offer reliable performance, making them a smart choice for anyone looking for high-quality fuel.
Are Non-Certified Briquettes Trustworthy?
While certifications are a great way to ensure quality, not all high-quality briquettes carry these labels. The certification process can be costly and time-consuming, which is why many responsible manufacturers choose not to go through it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean their briquettes are lower in quality.
High-Quality Without Certification
There are many excellent briquettes on the market that aren’t certified but still meet or exceed the standards for composition, sustainability, and performance. These manufacturers often follow the same practices as certified brands but choose not to pursue certification due to the expense involved.
How to Know If Non-Certified Briquettes Are Good?
To ensure you’re buying a quality product, even without a certification, it’s important to look for key details. Responsible manufacturers will be able to provide information on their briquettes, including moisture content, calorific value, and the materials used.
Transparency is key—if a manufacturer openly shares details about their production process and the origin of their materials, it’s a good sign that they prioritize quality.
Ask for Information
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Reputable sellers will be happy to provide details about their briquettes, even if they aren’t certified. They can offer insight into how their briquettes are produced, what materials are used, and how the product will perform.
In conclusion, while certifications can be a helpful shortcut to identifying high-quality briquettes, non-certified products can still be a great option if you do a little extra research.
How to Identify High-Quality Briquettes Without Certification
Even if a briquette doesn’t carry an official certification, you can still ensure it’s high quality by looking for a few key indicators. Here’s how to make sure you’re getting a good product:
1. Check Moisture Content
High-quality briquettes will have a low moisture content, typically below 10%. This ensures they burn efficiently and produce more heat.
Moisture content is usually listed on the product packaging or provided by the manufacturer. Briquettes with too much moisture will be harder to light and produce less heat, so it’s an important factor to check.
2. Look for Calorific Value
The calorific value measures how much heat a briquette will produce. A higher calorific value means the briquettes will burn hotter and longer, making them more efficient.
Good briquettes will have a calorific value of around 4,800 to 5,000 kWh/tonne. You can often find this information on the packaging or ask the seller to provide it.
3. Research the Manufacturer’s Practices
Even without certification, a responsible manufacturer will be transparent about their production process.
Look for companies that use sustainable, renewable resources and follow eco-friendly manufacturing methods. Many manufacturers will have this information on their websites or available upon request.
4. Buy from Reputable Sellers
Purchasing from well-known, trusted retailers can also help ensure you’re getting quality briquettes. Established sellers are more likely to stock reliable products, even if they aren’t certified.
Read customer reviews and look for detailed product descriptions to learn more about the briquettes you’re buying.
Conclusion
While certifications like ÖNORM M7135 and DIN51731 provide an easy way to ensure quality and sustainability, they aren’t the only way to find high-quality briquettes.
Many non-certified briquettes meet or exceed the same standards, offering excellent performance and eco-friendly benefits.
When shopping for briquettes, always check for key details like moisture content, calorific value, and the manufacturer’s production methods.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions—reliable manufacturers will always provide the information you need. By doing a little extra research, you can find briquettes that burn hotter, last longer, and are better for the environment, even if they aren’t officially certified.
Ultimately, whether certified or not, choosing briquettes that meet high-quality standards ensures you’re getting a dependable and sustainable fuel source for your home or outdoor needs.