Buy firewood & charcoal in Dubai: types, amounts and safety

If you are searching for firewood in Dubai or "firewood near me" on the road to Al Qudra, the short answer is: buy it before you get there. There are no shops in the dunes or at the lakes, and a fire without fuel is just a cold evening. This guide explains which wood and charcoal to buy, how much you need, what else belongs in your fire kit and where fires are and are not appropriate.

Firewood and charcoal: what is the difference?

Firewood

Firewood is for the campfire: warmth, light and atmosphere. Buy it dry and ready to burn, because damp or green wood smokes and sulks. Bundles at Zad come in medium (AED 40), large (AED 70) and a 10 kg bundle (AED 45-60). Small split pieces light quickly and bigger logs burn long, so a mix is ideal. Start with kindling or fire-starter cubes, build to the logs, and add a piece at a time rather than loading the pit.

Charcoal

Charcoal is for cooking. It burns hotter and steadier than wood and leaves little flame to scorch the meat. We stock brands such as Flame On, Mr. Charcoal and Fire Up, in bags from 3 kg up to 10 kg (from AED 32; for example Mr. Charcoal 3 kg is AED 32, Flame On 4 kg is AED 37 and Fire Up 10 kg is AED 70). Hardwood lump charcoal lights faster and burns hotter, while briquettes burn longer and more evenly. Either works.

Current prices are listed on our camping and BBQ page, which is the source for the numbers in this guide, and they can change.

How much should you bring?

Rules of thumb that work for most groups. Adjust for weather, group size and appetite.

• Evening campfire, 2-4 people: one medium bundle of firewood.
• Long winter night or a group of 6+: a large bundle, or two mediums.
• BBQ for a family of 4-6: 3-5 kg of charcoal. Bring a spare bag if you will be grilling for hours.
• Ice: one bag per cooler for a day trip, two for an overnight in warm weather. Bags are AED 15 each.
• Starting the fire: fire-starter cubes or gel (AED 8-25), plus a lighter or matches. A lighter alone is hard to use in desert wind.

Buy ice last and keep it in the shade. Pack firewood in a box or bag so sand and sparks do not get in your car.

Ready-made kits

If you would rather not assemble a fire kit item by item, our outing kits do it for you, packed for pickup:

• Campfire Night Kit, AED 129 (up to 6): a large bundle of firewood, fire-starter cubes, a bag of ice and 6 hot karak to go.
• Lake BBQ Box, AED 125 (4-6): foldable BBQ grill, 3 kg charcoal, fire-starter gel, BBQ tongs and 2 bags of ice.
• BBQ Refill, AED 65: for people who already own a grill: 4 kg charcoal, fire-starter gel and a bag of ice.

Fire safety and where fires are (and are not) allowed

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules in the Al Marmoom reserve and around the lakes are enforced by Dubai authorities and can change, so follow posted signs and check the latest Dubai Municipality guidance.

• Never light a fire straight on the sand. Use a fire pit or a BBQ stand. A portable fire pit is AED 63 at Zad.
• Not at the lake edge. Camping and fires at the water's edge are restricted. Read our Love Lake guide and lakes page.
• Distance matters. Published camping guidance suggests keeping the fire's heat at least 50 cm clear of anything flammable and firewood stored about 15 feet (around 5 m) from tents. As a habit, keep fires well away from tents, cars and dry bushes.
• Small, supervised fires only. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep a bottle or two of water nearby.
• Put it out properly. Soak the embers and stir until cold to the touch. Open burning can be fined (reported at AED 1,000 in 2026).
• Never use desert trees. Cutting or burning ghaf and other native trees carries heavy fines. Bring bought firewood.
• Take the ash and rubbish home. Litter fines start at AED 500. Let charcoal cool completely before bagging it.
• Mind the wind. Skip the fire on a gusty day, as embers carry far in a dry desert.

Why buy at Zad?

• Open 24/7. Heading out at 5am for a sunrise BBQ or 11pm for a meteor night? The lights are on.
• Last stop before the desert. Zad is at the Last Exit on Al Qudra Road. After this there are no shops.
• Everything in one stop: firewood, charcoal, ice, fire-starters, grills, tongs, drinks, snacks and hot karak. See the full range and prices.
• Pre-order on WhatsApp and your bags are packed and waiting, so you pull in, grab and go.
• Local advice. We have supplied thousands of Al Qudra trips since 2013 and we will happily tell you what is worth buying and what is not.

Heading out for stars rather than steak? Read our stargazing guide and consider the Stargazing Kit for Two (AED 129). Going to the lakes? Start with the Love Lake guide.

Frequently asked questions

Zad Food Store is open 24/7 at the Last Exit, Al Qudra Road (Seih Al Salam), Dubai, the last stop before the desert since 2013.