Bamboo charcoal is simply a better, all-around product. Ordinary charcoal is made from ordinary trees (not bamboo), so it will take decades for trees to be cut back to their original state. Phyllostachys pubescens is a grass that can be fully mature within 5 years. Regular charcoal production pollutes the air, and bamboo charcoal is a carbon neutral process. Bamboo charcoal is more porous (approximately 10 times), so you need much less bamboo charcoal to cover a larger space.