Gift Guide 2015: Where There's Smoke
![Thaan-1 Thaan-1](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e64cb8e-834d-41ff-85a1-fa259b750420_200x134.jpeg)
When binchotan charcoal first came on the market it had a cult following - and cost a fortune. The Asian charcoal is very popular with grill masters because it's long burning and gives off very little ash. The Japanese credit it with all manner of beneficial characteristics: they even believe it filters the air that you breathe.
Andy Ricker, of PokPok, began importing Thaan charcoal last year. It's the Thai version of binchotan, although it's a lot less expensive. And also easier to find; at the moment you can buy a five pound box on Amazon for $15. An easy gift that would make any griller grateful.