7 hours ago, Dave the Cook said:anthracite coal, cornstarch, limestone, sawdust and boric acid. The first thing to know about all of these ingredients is that they all occur in nature.
Do you dispute that coal contains heavy metals? These metals do, obviously, occur in nature, but do you want their combustion products and residue in your food?
Bear in mind that coal is added to briquets, whereas any heavy metals in lump charcoal had to make it into the tree(s).
I used to cook a lot on a solid-fuel stove, using wood, charcoal and anthracite coal. The coal burned much hotter, so much hotter that it required special grates and doors. Made for great wok hei, though.
If you need citations, compare the Btu ratings for charcoal and anthracite.
