Grilling is a dynamic and fun process. You get to prepare meats, vegetables, sauces, and more, in some unique ways. With such unique functions and benefits, its to see why grills are becoming vital cooking resources in modern-day kitchens. However, getting the right grill and sharpening your cooking skills is just the first aspect of the process.
You also need the right source of energy to power your grill. Let’s face it, the options are endless when it comes to sources of power for your grill. In this guide, we have some of the best lump charcoal products on the market types you should consider. When you have these sources of energy, powering your grill becomes a breeze.
Furthermore, you need to consider the many factors associated with using lump charcoal for the best results. We have this information available in the guide below:
Fogo Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal 17.6-pound Bag
Grilling efficiently is all about getting the correct source of energy. Thus, this is why the Fog Super Premium Hardwood Charcoal would be an excellent recommendation for your needs.
The charcoal comprises of hand-selected and large chunks of hardwood, for the best heat production results. More so, the charcoal also works well to impart a delicious and hardwood smoked flavor to your meals.
Its lights quickly and burns hotter – perfect for preparing meals in your modern kitchen. Even more, the grill is ideal for kamado-style cookers who prefer big green egg, kamado, primo, and more. The charcoal is made using dense Central American Hardwood, with hand-selected pieces. As a result, you are sure of the quality charcoal with each bag of Fogo Charcoal that you purchase.
The fire lights quickly and ensures the grill will be ready to use in as little as 15 minutes. Plus, the grill burns very hotly, to ensure it sears the meat and locks in the flavors. It’s a grill that lasts longer than the traditional charcoal grills you will find on the market. The charcoal is made using thick hardwood trimmings and hand-selected trees with no additional ingredients. As such, you are sure of an all-natural and high-quality grill that will impart your food with a unique taste.
The Good
- Comes with hand-selected and large chunks of charcoal
- Has a delicious and hardwood smoked flavor
- Lights fast, burns hotter and longer
- Made using hand-selected charcoal
The Bad
- Lights relatively slower than most brands
Kamado Joe KJ-Char Big Block XL Lump Charcoal, 20 lbs, Black
The Kamado Joe KJ-Char Big Block Lump Charcoal grill is an excellent recommendation for your needs. The grill can burn up to 18 hours, and it’s highly efficient for cooking in your modern-day kitchen.
Made to be re-usable for as many as three times, you have a reliable grill when you have this unit each time. Since the Charcoal is made using real trees, it burns clean and gives your meals a robust wood flavor. Remember that some brands are made using scrap furniture or processed wood. As such, this means less wood-fire flavor, and charcoal that burns hotter than most meats.
Made using hardwood material, this lump charcoal burns hotter and lets you achieve steak-searing temperatures. You can even use it in conjunction with a ceramic grill, which offers exceptional insulation. Thus, you will use less heat for cooking your food and getting moister meats with each cooking process.
You will be pleased to know that this charcoal lasts longer than most types available on the market today. More so, it also produces less fumes and is perfect for use on your modern-day grill. Plus, it won’t impart your meals with unusual tastes.
The Good
- Can burn for as many as 18 hours
- Made using a unique blend of hardwood materials
- Lights fast and hot
The Bad
- Could use a better surface area for airflow
Char-Broil Center Cut Lump Charcoal, 11 lb
Realize what you have been missing when grilling when you have the Char-Broil Center Cut Lump Charcoal. This unit features high-quality charcoal, which will ensure you can achieve the best grilling results with each project.
It guarantees clean-burning, all thanks to 100% natural and hardwood lump charcoal. Furthermore, the charcoal bag consists of organic and center cut hardwoods – with no limbs, bark, binders, or excessive charcoal dust.
The Char-Broil has also taken things to another level with the uniform 3-inch average briquette size, and 3 percent max ash. These are components that ensure easier use and more reliable results with each grilling process.
The result when using this charcoal is faster starts, better results, and easy cleanup when the grilling process is complete. Furthermore, the hardwood lumps are of uniform size and ensure quality use each time. The preparation process of this charcoal set is also unique because it’s fired for longer.
Thus, you will have a lighter weight, clean-burning, and premium charcoal bag. The result is that you have center-cut charcoal, which is light in weight and exceptional on quality. Water and other natural impurities have been removed, thus providing you with charcoal that surpasses the highest standards of quality.
The Good
- Offers cleaning burning all thanks to 100% natural hardwood coal
- Does not contain any limbs, binders or excessive charcoal fines
- Uniform 3-inch average briquette size and 3 percent max ash
The Bad
- N/A
Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Enjoy the ability to grill like a professional when you have the Rockwood All-natural hardwood lump charcoal. The 100% all-natural lump charcoal is made using Missouri grown maple, pecan, and oak. It’s a slow-burning source of energy, which is coal that will light conveniently. Furthermore, the charcoal also heats quickly and burns boldly for juicier meat.
You will be pleased with the fact that the charcoal will produce more flavorful food, and is suitable for most modern grills or smokers. Made using renewable and natural resources, this lump charcoal is perfect for use in most modern kitchens.
To take things to the next level, the charcoal also comes in a durable and renewable bag. Yes, that’s right! The charcoal will produce a small amount of emissions when in use, and it won’t impart your meals with unusual tastes. The Rockwood brand has done well to ensure all aspects of this charcoal are efficient for a modern cooking setting.
The Good
- Made using oak, hickory, and maple
- Slow burning and ash minimizing coal
- Lights easily and boldly for juicier meats
The Bad
- N/A
Royal Oak Natural Organic Premium Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes
Never settle for subpar charcoal when you can go for the best! Yes, that`s right! We highly recommend the Royal Oak Natural Organic Premium wood as the ideal solution for powering your grill. It’s a unique power source, made using American Oak and Hickory Hardwood. As such, you are sure of a reliable source of energy for your grilling projects.
To make things better, charcoal supports high and low-temperature cooking. As a result, it’s ideal for both high and low-temperature cooking applications. When in use, the lump charcoal will produce very little ash, as when compared to the conventional lump charcoal on the market.
More so, when buying charcoal, it’s good to determine whether it can suit your grill. With the Royal Oak Natural Organic Charcoal, you are sure of a source of power that is suitable for ceramics, smokers, and more. You will find it easy to use to fire up your favorite grill and prepare your meals. Whether its ribs, kabobs, hot dogs, or even slabs of brisket – this grill is perfect.
The Good
- 20 lb. bag of premium hardwood charcoal briquettes
- Made using American Oak and Hickory hardwood
- Suitable for both high and low-temperature cooking
- Produces little ash when compared to other charcoals
The Bad
- Could use a better smoky flavor
Primo 608 Natural Lump Charcoal, a 20-Pound bag
Make your grilling experiences convenient when you have the Primo 608 Natural Lump Charcoal Bag. Its an all-natural lump charcoal bag, which offers top-notch fuel for your grill. As a regular grill user, you will be pleased to know that this charcoal is free of tars and other harmful chemicals. More so, it also weighs less, lights faster and burns hotter for an efficient cooking experience.
When used with a Primo Grill, a single load can be reused several times. When cooking low and slow, the charcoal can burn for as many as 36 hours. With normal use, a 20-pound bag can last for as many as 35 cooks. You will also find it convenient to cook with the natural lump charcoal or combination with some seasoning wood.
Remember to consider the surface area of your chosen lump of charcoal, because it contributes to the efficiency and burning of the coal. In this case, you will be pleased to the Primo 608 lump charcoal has an exceptional surface area, to promote the flow of air.
The Good
- Free or tars and other harmful chemicals
- High carbonized for efficient burning
- Available in a large bag for longevity
The Bad
- Could have a better smoky taste
Black Diamond CharWood BD176 Large Box Lump Charcoal
Realize what you have been missing in your grilling experience when you have the Black Diamond Charwood BD176 grill. This charcoal is reusable for up to five times – perfect for lowering the cost of your grilling sessions. It’s also fully processed to ensure the best levels of carbonization. Carbonized charcoal is lighter and ensures optimal grilling results with each session.
The charcoal does not contain any limbs, bark, or remanufactured waste – which means it sparks well during the start-up process. In fact, the grill features premium “center cut” hardwoods – no hardwood waste. These are crucial factors to consider each time you want to purchase your supply of lump charcoal.
You will be pleased with the industrial weight boxes, which work well to protect against issues such as crushing. It even comes with inner bags that will lock out moisture and ensure that charcoal lights up efficiently each time. The Charwood will outperform the traditional lump charcoal in burn time. As such, it’s more consistent in temperature during grilling and minimizes issues such as ash, smoke, or sparks.
The Good
- Reusable for as many as five times
- Full processed to ensure the highest level of carbonization
- Made using premium “center cut” hardwoods with no waste
The Bad
- N/A
IPPINKA Kishu Binchotan BBQ Charcoal, 3lb of Lump Charcoal
The IPPINKA Kishu Binchotan BBQ Charcoal is also an excellent source of energy for your grill. The 3-pound bag of lump charcoal is excellent for grilling, and its also highly sustainable. It’s all-natural, chemical-free, and will provide long-burning durations.
You will find it easy to use this charcoal to enhance your bbq and grilling experience. It’s a bag of high-grade charcoal, which will preserve the flavorful juices of all your meals. Moreover, it will also give a good sear, and makes all the meals you barbecue exceptionally delicious.
As one of the best lump charcoal brands on the market, you will find the IPPINKA charcoal highly reliable to use. You can use it in both large and small grills, without any compromise on the heat produced.
When it comes to investing in sources of energy for your grill, its best to go for the best because it burns hot and efficiently. Thus, this is why the IPPINKA Kishu Charcoal burns fast and will last relatively longer than most lump charcoals.
The Good
- 3-pound bag of lump charcoal
- All-natural and chemical-free for long burning
- High-quality charcoal is suitable for modern kitchens
The Bad
Could use better surface area for improved flow of air
Laredo Premium – All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal (3, 8.8 lbs)
Equip your chicken with the Laredo Premium All-natural Hardwood lump charcoal. Made using 100% natural hardwood, this charcoal will provide several months of reliable power. It only contains large chunks, which have been hand-selected for optimal airflow. The charcoal also burns quickly and lasts longer than most lump charcoal brands on the market.
Plus, the charcoal will grill your meats tender, and impart a mouthwatering taste to your meats. It’s an all-natural product, which does not have chemical additives or fillers. Thanks to its subtle wood taste, you will find it easy to impart your meats with unique flavors and keep guests coming back for more. The charcoal is an excellent energy source for pit cooking and commercial applications.
The charcoal should be ready to cook in a few minutes, and it also lights easily. Plus, the charcoal will also let your favorite meats capture unique food flavor during the cooking process.
The Good
- Made using 100% natural hardwood
- Has a natural and hardwood smoked flavor
- Lights quickly and burns hotter
The Bad
- N/A
Best Lump Charcoal Buying Guide
At the most basic level, grilling is indeed a simple process. You just light a fire, cook some food over the fire, and eat. That said, as any guy who cares about a cookout knows, there is adequate room for experimentation and fine-tuning the procedure.
If you are grilling steak, would you prefer a high end or a budget-friendly unit. More so, the type of energy you will use in your grill – which type would be most appropriate for your needs. In this guide, we go in-depth into the best lump charcoal and the factors to consider when making a purchase.
Let’s get started
How is Charcoal Made?
Good charcoal mostly comprises pure carbon, otherwise referred to as char. It’s prepared by cooking in a low oxygen set up, a procedure which can take days. More so, it’s a process that helps burn off volatile compounds such as hydrogen, tar, and methane. In commercial processing, the burning process occurs in large concrete or steel silos, and with a small amount of oxygen. The process stops before the coal turns into ash. The process will black lumps and powder.
When ignited, the carbon in the charcoal mixes with the oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, and other gases. Also, the process releases a significant amount of energy. The carbon has more potential energy per ounce when compared to raw food. More so, the char burns steady, hot, and will produce a small amount of smoke when burning.
The process of preparing charcoal dates back to historic times, and there is archaeological evidence of such a practice. Since charcoal burns cleaner, hotter, and more evenly than wood, it was commonly used by smelters for various procedures. Commercial production of charcoal first started in pits that were covered with dirt, by specially trained craftsmen.
What is Lump Charcoal
According to Wikipedia, lump charcoal is similar to traditional charcoal that is made using hardwood material. It’s a material that will produce far less ash when compared to briquettes.
Lump charcoal is perhaps one of the best types of wood, and it’s as fashionable as “organic food” when it comes to eating. It has this appeal of being a more natural energy source. There are more than 75 brands, and some are also highly diverse. These include mesquite, coconut shell, and cherry.
Unlike the conventional type of charcoal, lump charcoal is made using wood scraps from furniture, flooring, sawmills, and building materials. More so, items such as twigs, blocks, scraps, and branches are also carbonized in the process. Each brand is unique, and it almost often never consists of any building materials. The result is that you get charcoal lumps that have an irregular size, which often has the same appearance as lumber and limbs.
Using the Best Lump Charcoal
Similar to the sources of energy you have in your kitchen, there are a few key factors to consider when you want to use lump charcoal. For instance, lump charcoal will produce a small amount of ash when compared to briquettes, as it does not have binders. It’s important to use it in Kamado smokers, such as the Big Green Egg. Why? Well, because they don’t have adequate room for ash collection, during long cooks, which can compromise the flow of air.
The main challenge when using this type of charcoal is that it’s often harder to find and costly than briquettes. Plus, you can expect varying responses when it comes to aspects such as BTUs per pound, wood type, flavor, and impurities. In some cases, some lumps can be overly broad, and won’t fit well in charcoal chimneys.
How to Burn Lump Charcoal Effectively
According to common kitchen knowledge, lump charcoal burns hotter when compared to briquettes. That said, factors such as the arrangement of the coals are crucial. Due to their irregular structures, they might nestle like puzzle pieces, and this might compromise the flow of air. Proper ventilation is vital if you want to make the most of lump charcoal. More so, lump charcoal might contain excessive charcoal powder and crumbs, which might fill the gaps between, and even affect the flow of air.
Cooks Illustrated recently performed outstanding research on using lump charcoal. The experiment involved the use of two six-quart chimneys, whereby one was filled with lump and the other with briquettes. Also, they fitted to similar grills with seven digital thermometer probes and noticed the two burnt with the same result for half an hour. After that, the briquettes held heat for long durations, the lumps converted to ash faster. The test was repeated 11 times.
Lump Charcoal and Food Flavor
A common myth is that lump charcoal often imparts more flavor to food. That said, not if it’s well prepared. If all the wood undergoes complete carbonization, the flavor will be unique from using traditional charcoal. That said, lump charcoal won’t often undergo complete carbonization. As you might have noticed, a bag might comprise large chunks and still consist of lignin, cellulose, and various types of wood components.
When they burn, they spark and smoke, to produce a unique smoke flavor. It can be an excellent way to impart your meals with a unique flavor. The only issue at this point is that it’s not easy to control the smoke. When buying lump charcoal ensure that you check the specific flavors that are available with your chosen brand. It’s crucial for the taste of your meals and meats.
Lump Charcoal vs. Charcoal Briquettes
Lump Charcoal
Otherwise referred to as “lump charcoal,” this refers to the substance you get when wood burns down to coal, with no impurities. It will contain no fillers and binders – just exceptional and straightforward charcoal.
Professional pitmasters know the benefits of this type of charcoal. First, because it’s simple, and also provides several practical use benefits. Moreover, it also burns faster, such that you will find it easy to get your food to the grill. Plus, the charcoal burns hotter, which is crucial if you want deep sear marks on your ribs. It will also produce a small amount of ash, so you won’t have much gunk settling on the bottom section of your grill.
The charcoal also responds well to the flow of air, so you will find it easy to cool things down, such as by calibrating air vents. It can be a helpful resource for barbecuing when you want to use low temperatures. Such a process would be best for smoldering meals, for all-day smoking – perfect for meats.
Even pitmasters love lump charcoal, its costly and less convenient to use. Since hardwood pieces have inconsistent sizes, you may have to pay more attention to the process you use to light the fire.
Pros
- Burns hotter
- Lights faster
- Produces less ash
Cons
- Burns faster which, giving a shorter cooking time
- Slightly costly
Charcoal Briquettes
In their simplest forms, these just refer to coal powder, which has been compressed in a unique shape. In most cases, they are packed with several other components such as sawdust as a filler, limestone for color, starch to help bind the components, and more. The briquettes are often affordable, reliable, and straightforward to use as well.
You will find “quick light” or “match light” types, which are just briquettes, which have lighter fluid. Thus, this makes the lighting process way more convenient and faster. The only challenge is that it can be hazardous, so its good to have added space and nothing flammable closeby. Also, you may have to be patient and let the coal burn off the lighting material fast. Otherwise, you will get a lousy char, and it may impart an unusual taste to your meals.
As far as coals will impart an unpleasant taste, some pitmasters say that food briquettes are not as flavorful as charcoal. That said, this statement is not necessarily true.
Pros
- Cheap and readily available
- Burns slower and consistently
Cons
- Might impart a unique flavor to your food
Overall
When it comes to grilling, your knowledge and expertise in using such resources can have many benefits. That is why we have this best lump charcoal guide to help you make a good decision when investing in sources of energy. Using a grill is not always about getting the right brand; you also have to consider the type of charcoal you want to use on the grill.
Yes, just in the same way you have to select the correct ingredients for your cooking, ensure that you also go for suitable sources of energy. When you have the right source of power, you will find it easy to prepare your meats – and with outstanding results.
- How Long Does Vegan Butter Last? Mystery Solved - January 9, 2024
- How Long Does Vegan Mayo Last - January 2, 2024
- From Pot to Plate: How Long Does Vegan Chili Last in The Fridge? - December 26, 2023
Best Built In Grills