When it comes to barbecue, the type of charcoal you use of charcoal is important.
Charcoal briquettes vs lump charcoal, which choice is the right choice? The decision you make has a lot to do with how tasteful your next grilling or smoking experience will be.
In this post, we will explore the differences between lump and briquette charcoal. We will take a closer look at their origins, advantages, and disadvantages, and help you determine which type of charcoal is best for your specific needs.
We will also provide some tips and tricks for using each type of charcoal to help you get the most out of your grilling and smoking experience.
Read on to find out which type of charcoal is the best to use the next time you fire up your grill or smoker.
What are Charcoal Briquettes?
Charcoal briquettes are the most popular form of charcoal used for outdoor cooking.
Briquettes are made from a combination of sawdust, coal dust, and binders to help hold them together. Cornstarch is a common binder material used in charcoal made in the United States.
Chemical additives may be used to make the briquettes easier to light and burn more evenly.
Briquettes burn at a consistent temperature and produce long-lasting heat, which makes them great for low and slow cooking.
Charcoal briquettes are widely available and affordable. You can find them at most grocery and hardware stores, making them a convenient option for many people. And, they are usually less expensive than lump charcoal.
Briquettes burn at a lower temperature than lump charcoal, which can make it harder to achieve a high sear on your meats.
When it comes to briquettes, we recommend Kingsford. You just can’t buy a better charcoal!
- Two 16.7 pound bags of Charcoal Briquettes
- Ready to cook in about 15 minutes
- Sure Fire Grooves help coals light faster
- More edges for quick, easy lighting
- Made with natural ingredients and real wood
Briquette Advantages
- Less expensive than lump charcoal
- Easy to light, especially when using briquette-specific lighter fluids.
- Longer burn time at a consistent temperature
Briquette Disadvantages
- Use additives and chemicals in their production.
- Can add unwanted flavors to food
- Produce more ash for harder cleanup
Charcoal briquettes are a are a good choice for those looking for an affordable and consistent fuel source for their outdoor cooking needs.
What is Lump Charcoal?
Unlike charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal does not contain any additives or fillers. Lump charcoal is the product of pure wood logs. It is made by slowly burning wood, such as oak or hickory, in a low-oxygen kiln.
This process removes all the moisture and impurities, leaving behind pure carbon in the form of irregularly shaped chunks or lumps.
Lump burns hotter than briquettes, which makes it ideal for searing meats and achieving high temperatures quickly. Additionally, it lights faster than briquettes, which means you can start cooking sooner.
The irregular shape of the lumps creates more surface area for the smoke to adhere to. So, the food absorbs more flavor and aroma.
Kamado Joe Big Block XL Lump Charcoal is very good. It is what we recommend. Jealous Devil and FOGO also are very good lump charcoals to cook with.
- 30 pounds of 100 percent natural lump charcoal
- Can burn up to 27 hours
- Reusable up to three times
- Made from a blend of hardwood - Guayacan, Guayaibi, Mistal, and White Quebracho
Lump Charcoal Advantages
- No additives or chemicals
- Produces more smoke flavor
- Leaves very little ash
- Burns hotter
Lump Charcoal Disadvantages
- Harder to control temperature and cooking time
- Burn faster and more unpredictably
- Costs more than briquettes
If you value purity, lump charcoal is a great option.
Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes: Comparison and Recommendations
Here’s a comparison of the two charcoal types based on different criteria to help you decide which is the right charcoal to use for your cooking needs.
When choosing between lump charcoal or briquettes, there are some things to consider. They are provided below.
Cooking Method
Briquettes are great for low and slow cooking, while lump charcoal is better for hot and fast grilling.
If you’re planning on smoking meat for several hours, briquettes are the way to go for a longer and slower cook.
But if you want to sear a steak quickly, choose lump charcoal over briquettes.
Cooking Temperature
Both briquettes and lump charcoal can be used for low, medium, or high-temperature cooking.
Lump charcoal burns hotter than briquettes, so it’s better for searing and cooking at high temperatures.
Grill Type
Lump or briquette charcoal can be used with gas, charcoal, or ceramic grills.
However, hardwood lump charcoal is better suited for ceramic grills because they retain heat better than other types of grills.
Food Type
Briquette or lump charcoal can be used to grill meat, vegetables, and seafood.
Lump charcoal is better for adding a smoky flavor to your food.
Flavor Preference
Food tastes better because of the smokey flavor charcoal gives it.
Briquettes produce a mild, consistent flavor.
Lump charcoal produces a stronger, more natural wood flavor.
If you prefer a milder flavor, go for briquettes. But if you want a stronger, more natural flavor, lump charcoal is the way to go.
Recommendations – Briquettes vs Lump Charcoal
Based on the above criteria, here are our recommendations:
- Low and slow cooking: Briquettes
- Hot and fast grilling: Lump charcoal
- High-temperature cooking: Lump charcoal
- Ceramic grills: Lump charcoal
- Smoky flavor: Lump charcoal
- Milder flavor: Briquettes
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for using briquettes and lump charcoal effectively:
- Use a chimney starter to light your charcoal.
- Control the air vents to control the temperature.
- Avoid flare-ups by keeping a spray bottle of water nearby.
- Store your charcoal in a dry place to prevent it from absorbing moisture.
Our Thoughts
Both briquettes and lump charcoal have their advantages and disadvantages. For years, my personal preference has been briquettes.
Who wuns in the briquettes vs lump charcoal battle.
Briquettes are a good choice for beginners and those who want to grill or smoke for a long time.
Lump charcoal is all-natural, and is excellent for high-heat grilling and smoking. It also adds a unique smoky flavor to food.
In the end, the choice between briquettes and lump charcoal comes down to personal preference and the type of cooking you plan to do.
We hope this article has helped you understand the key differences between briquettes and lump charcoal. If you are looking for the best of both worlds when it comes to grilling and smoking, check out our recommended smoker grill combos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the taste of food cooked with lump charcoal compare to charcoal briquettes?
Many people believe that food cooked with lump charcoal has a better taste than food cooked with charcoal briquettes. This is because lump charcoal is made from natural hardwood, which imparts a unique flavor to the food.
How long does lump charcoal typically burn compared to charcoal briquettes?
Lump charcoal typically burns for a shorter time than charcoal briquettes. This is because lump charcoal is made from larger pieces of wood, which burn more quickly than the smaller pieces of charcoal dust and sawdust that are used to make charcoal briquettes.
What is better lump charcoal or briquettes?
Briquettes are excellent for a low and slow cooking. Lump charcoal is perfect for searing and authentic smoke flavor.
