Binchotan (Japanese white charcoal)

Fired at very high temperature until it rings like stone when struck. It produces almost no smoke and almost no flame, just even radiant infrared heat for four hours or more, which is exactly what yakitori needs and why it is worth the price on a small konro grill. It is genuinely difficult to light: you need a chimney or a gas burner, and ten to twenty minutes of patience. Do not waste it trying to smoke with it.