charring

A char is a small amount of wood or charcoal used for heating or cooking.

When people think about using a fire or stove to cook their food, they often need something called a char. This can be a piece of wood or charcoal that's been partially burned down and turned into a glowing ember. The char is added to the flame to help get it started, keep it going, or even give a certain flavor to the cooking. For example, if you're making a BBQ sauce for grilled meats, you might add some char to the mixture for extra smokiness.