Lump charcoal is the traditional fuel for many backyard grills because it burns clean, producing less ash than briquettes. But with so many brands on the market, how do you know which lump charcoals are best?
This blog post will give you a list of the top 8 best lump charcoals that have been put to the test in order to find out which one reigns supreme.
What are Lump Charcoals?
Lump Charcoals are a product of pure natural hardwood lump charcoal. Lump charcoals burn at high heat and last longer than briquettes.
Lump Charcoal does not contain any chemical additives, binders or fillers like the common briquettes found in stores. This means that it will not emit any harmful flavor into the foods and drinks you cook. Lump Charcoal is also more efficient than briquettes, making it a sensible choice when cooking.
Lump Charcoal produces heat quickly and burns to an even ash bed; the result is high quality barbecued food cooked to perfection.
The Benefits For Using Lump Charcoals Over Briquettes Or Wood
Lump charcoals are made by hand from 100% pure ingredients, can be found in different shapes and sizes, burn longer than other charcoals, emit less ash with a cleaner burning fire , and give off more flavor to foods.
A lump charcoal is only burnt down once during the production process into an extremely fine dust called “char”. This makes it significantly easier for your grill to light since the dust contains most of the lighter materials. The resulting higher temperatures mean that this type of fuel also burns much hotter than briquettes or wood so you will have quick heat when grilling . A high temperature means that you can cook faster with still having great results.
Since they are pure charcoal, there is no need for chemicals or other glues to bind the charcoal together.
Lump charcoals also emit less ash than an average briquet due to its uniform packing structure. This makes it much easier to control the temperature of your grill as you want it so you don’t have ashes flying all over your food as it cooks. Lump charcoal will usually last longer than regular briquettes as well since it burns so thoroughly, this means no more having to fix those annoying “snake” coals by turning them over with your tongs or other utensils.
Lump charcoals also give off more flavor than briquettes, which makes them better for cooking certain types of food. Lump charcoals contain fewer impurities than briquettes, giving them less ash and smoke while they are burning. Since the lump charcoals burn so thoroughly, you don’t have to worry about having your grill too hot since there is no unburned material to turn into ashes. Another benefit is that you can use this type of charcoal to cook virtually anything without worrying about toxic fumes coming from the charcoal itself. This means that there is no need for lighter fluid or gas lighters which pollute the air around you.
Learn more: Lump Charcoals Vs Briquettes
The benefits over using wood are that lump charcoals burn at much higher temperatures and produce very little ash. Wood can’t burn as hot and you don’t want it to either since the smoke point is only around 300°F, which is too low for grilling, whereas charcoal can reach temperatures of up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Because you get more intense heat with charcoal, it will sear foods on both sides instead of just one or leaving some parts completely raw. Lump charcoals have fewer impurities than wood so they are cleaner burning which means there is no need to worry about creosote buildup inside your grill’s barbeque chamber. Less char also means easier clean-up.
Lump charcoals are considered the best type of charcoal for barbequing because they burn hotter, cleaner, and longer than other types. Regular briquettes burn much more slowly and produce far too much ash since they contain all sorts of ingredients that make them easier to light up but provide no flavor or heat. Lump charcoals also give food a smoky taste without adding chemicals like other coal products. They can be used with any type of cooking method whether it is grilling, smoking, or barbecuing. Lump charcoals are also easy to light whereas wood needs lots of kindling to get it going which wastes time if you are in a hurry.
Top 8 Best Lump Charcoals Reviews
#1 Kamado Joe KJ-Char Big Block XL Lump Charcoal
Kamado Joe 100% Natural Lump Charcoal is made from solid, hardwood temples. Every wood has a distinct flavor which gives you the perfect bbq taste without adding any artificial chemicals! Burns hotter for moister meats, and burns longer for better slow cooking. Buy Kamado Joe now to unlock your taste buds’ natural ability to appreciate life’s true flavors!
What We Liked:
- Burn time lasts 40% longer than average briquettes and may last up to 12 hours for cooking low and slow!
- It also burns longer and produces less smoke than alternatives like briquettes.
- Made from all natural hardwoods.
#2 Cowboy 24220 Lump Charcoal
This smoky-but-subtle universal flavor booster sets the tone for authentic grill masters everywhere. Delightfully, Cowboy 24220 Lump Charcoal is made entirely out of 100% fresh, natural hardwood materials (no additives like lighter fluid or chlorine here), and because there are no chemicals involved at any step in production it’s safe for everyone to enjoy – even vegetarians!
And best yet? Country charcoals don’t just taste delicious but also last much longer than briquette equivalents, meaning less waste accumulating in landfills across the country. As you light up your fire pit this evening with one of these beauties under their grate pillars, know that you’re making an eco-friendly choice that’ll only help leave the world a more balanced place.
What We Liked:
- Cowboy Charcoal gives your food the same robust flavor of an open pit barbecue!
- Its high heat burns cleaner, lights easier and cooks better than briquettes because it doesn’t produce any chemical pollutants.
- High-heat cooking on this cowboy charcoal preserves natural flavors of food.
#3 Fogo Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal for Smoking Sessions
Fogo is an all-natural hardwood lump charcoal that can be used for everyday cooking or special occasions where you want to replicate the taste of outdoor barbecue with a grill. When barbecuing with Fogo, remember to make sure your heat is low.
Note: If using natural gas, please turn it down to medium-low. That’s enough heat to cook low and slow without burning the meat or wood chunks. If using gas grills, please set it on “low” only if the grill has adjustable settings – otherwise we recommend cooking on high for five minutes before moving down lower so you don’t burn your food!
Of course, when smoking meats like pork shoulders and beef ribs at 225 degrees Fahrenheit and doing reverse sear type cooking, you can adjust accordingly.
What We Liked:
- The unique blend of all-natural hardwoods results in mild, flavorful smoke which enhances the flavor of food without overpowering it.
- It lights fast but stays lit longer so searing temperatures are easy to reach.
- This lump charcoal is restaurant quality, making it easy to reach high searing temperatures quickly while still keeping that delicious OAKY smokey flavor!
#4 Primo 608 Natural Lump Charcoal, 20-Pound bag
Primo 608 Natural Lump Charcoal is perfect for high-quality searing grilling, cooking with less smoke, or using in your backyard fire pit – Primo 601 Natural Lump Charcoal scents fills the air with a delicious use of traditional hardwood sources. It lights fast and long to give you an even flame without having to work at it.
Primo 608 Guarantees consistent quality so you know that every bag will taste great while providing the flexibility to grill anything from steaks, burgers or chicken breasts to vegetables or fish through indirect heat while never needing lighter fluid. Our lump charcoal has made it easy for everyone whether you’re on the barbecue circuit o hearth of meatheads who are just snacking out!
What We Liked:
- This lump charcoals lights fast and lights long, ensuring you’ll reach high searing temperatures quickly!
- This product has a delicious oaky hardwood smoked flavor and uses a blend of tropical hardwoods which gives it a mild smokey flavor.
- The best part is the all-natural lump charcoal is free of tars and other harmful chemical substances.
#5 Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Bring consistency, efficiency, and quality to your cooking style with Jealous Devil hardwood lump charcoal. They start with pure ultra-dense South American hardwoods that undergo an extensive 18+ hour low-heat pyrolysis process for ultimate purity.
The product retains its natural flavor enhancing aromas without overpowering the flavor profiles of the food you are grilling or smoking. Additionally, our charcoal burns much hotter than traditional coals – up to 1170 degrees Fahrenheit!
With twice the number of calories over 7000kcal/gram and increased burn time (4+ hours open grills / 20+ hours in smokers), there has never been a better way to elevate your culinary experience.
What We Liked:
- This lump charcoal is made from pure, ultra-dense South American hardwoods with no fillers, chemicals or scrap materials.
- It comes in large pieces of combustible particles that bring twice the cook power.
#6 Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Rockwood is the world’s best if you’re looking for all-natural lump hardwood charcoal made in America. Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal uses renewable, natural resources to produce 100% clean-burning coal that will not fill your food with ash or bristles.
Unlike most other types of charcoal, this product lights easily and heats up quickly so you can spend less time cooking outdoors and more time enjoying it! It burns boldly so your steaks are greaseless, tastier, and juicier than ever before.
What We Liked:
- With Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal, you can enjoy a delicious BBQ that is infused with the light scent of all-natural hardwood charcoal.
- Dark and gentle flavors from premium Missouri trees will give meat a smoky finish for any taste.
- It burns at a low, even heat with little ash byproduct, so you can cook long and slow or sear your food on high.
#7 Harder HAXLWC33 100 Percent Natural Lump Charcoal
Harder HAXLWC33 100 Percent Natural Lump Charcoal is perfect for grilling and smoking your favorite foods. 100% all-natural XL restaurant-style charcoal that’s handmade from the “axe breaker” Quebracho Wood, this type of wood produces long-lasting heat without excess smoke or sparks. This kind of fuel is ideal for use in ceramic Kamado-style cookers like Primo, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, etc. It’s made without cutting down living trees too!
What We Liked:
- This natural lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than other brands on the market which means less smoky residue to deal with cleaning up after.
- 100% Quebracho hardwood doesn’t contain any polluting chemicals or heavy metals that can be found in other types of coal.
#8 BIG CP 20-pound Bag of Natural Lump Charcoal
Your Big Green Egg grills are fueled by patience and royal-quality skills. The only fuel you need is the dedication to your craft. With carefully chosen Big CP Natural Lump Charcoal, you can get the perfect barbecue consistency every time with no guesswork involved.
Natural charcoal vs briquettes? Who could be bothered? This charcoal is premium carbonized wood with NO additives or fillers of any kind—just pure ingredients for a completely authentic taste that’s worth the wait! Add natural lump charcoals to your cart today because nothing could give you longer hours of uninterrupted Zen but these lumps are too hot to handle!
What We Liked:
- Big Green Egg’s 100% natural lump charcoal burns hotter and more efficiently than briquettes.
- The superior quality promotes better cooking results with less food waste by producing less ash resulting in lower cleanup cost.
How To Choose The Best Lump Charcoal
When it comes to cooking, you need the best equipment. It is no different when it comes to grilling or barbecuing. You can’t just use any charcoal for your barbecue because not all of them are good. The following are some tips on how to choose the best lump charcoal so you can enjoy delicious meals at home without having to spend too much money.
Different types of lump charcoals
There are different types of lump charcoals that people often confuse with each other. One is made from olive oil by-product while others are made from coconut husks and wood scraps. Some come in small cubes while others have a spherical shape. The price also varies depending on what type you get, but if you follow these tips, you can figure out which one is best for your needs.
Check the price
When buying lump charcoals, take note of the prices so you will be able to tell if it’s expensive or not. To know if it’s really worth the money, find something that has good reviews and promises great results without having to spend too much. If you think about it, even just $50 won’t be enough to purchase a small bag of lump charcoal. So before you buy anything, check its reviews first at Amazon or any other website where people share their experiences with certain products they bought before.
See if there are negative reviews
If there are already lots of reviews talking about how bad the product is, then it’s best not to buy it. If you don’t see any bad reviews at all, check the seller first and see if he/she is trustworthy or not. If people who bought this product say that they didn’t like what they got because it doesn’t work as well as advertised, then you might want to skip buying this particular lump charcoal brand.
How fast the lump charcoals burn
After doing your research about different types of lump charcoals, now is the time to choose the one with a good burn rate. When you use lump charcoals for barbecuing food, you need something that will last long and produce high heat so cooking will be fast and quick. Make sure that it can cook a whole slab of ribs in less than an hour.
Quality lump charcoals come from trusted brands
When it comes to cooking, you cannot go wrong with products from known brands. For example, Kingsford is a popular brand for charcoal and firelighters so you can never go wrong if you choose this one over others.
This advice should help you decide which lump charcoals are best for your barbecuing needs. By doing a little research beforehand, you can have an idea about what type will work best for your purposes and which ones are just going to waste money. This way, you can cook delicious meals at home without worrying about spending too much money on ingredients or equipment because the cheapest lump charcoals will also do the job.
FAQs
Q: Why are lump charcoals expensive?
A: There are many reasons, but the main reason is that they are made of denser wood. It takes less volume to create the same heat as briquettes so there’s more fuel in each bag. If you were able to buy their raw materials, collect them, and make your own charcoals, you could expect to pay the same price. However, most people won’t do this because:
- It would be a huge amount of work and time-intensive
- Lump charcoals are more efficient – you won’t need as much in total to cook your food
- These methods aren’t practical so they are much better to just buy them ready-made
Q: Can lump charcoals be used instead of briquettes/lump fuel?
A: Yes, they are fully compatible with briquettes or other types of lump charcoal. You can use any type you want in your chiminea or if you are cooking over a fire.
Q: Can you use lump charcoal indoors?
A: This really depends on which type of lump charcoals you are using. Most of them are either safe to use indoors or they have minimal smoke, so there’s no risk in most cases. You have to consider which are the best lump charcoals for indoor use before purchasing them – it might not be all lump charcoals that can be used in an indoor setting.
Q: Are lump charcoals better than briquettes?
A: This is the main difference between them – lump charcoals are made of compressed wood while briquettes are made from coal dust. They also differ because there’s no binder or filler to hold them together, whereas briquettes have binders like starch, cornstarch, or sawdust. Lump charcoals tend to give you more heat per bag – they are denser and have more volume by volume than briquettes. They also produce less ash so it makes clean-up easier after cooking.
Q: Can lump charcoals be made at home?
A: Yes, it’s possible to make your own lump charcoals using sawdust and other types of compressed wood. It will take time, but if you have the equipment it’s easy to create them at home.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best hardwood lump charcoals in order to cook up delicious meals, this is your article. We recommend these as the best charcoals available because they are 100% natural and produce a wonderful aroma while cooking food. These are also perfect for preparing dishes on gas grills or other outdoor appliances that use charcoal briquettes or pellets too!
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