High-quality bags of lump charcoal will have mostly large, uniform wood-shaped pieces the larger they are, the longer and hotter they burn. This means you'll have to vent your fire differently depending on the makeup of your charcoal, so take this into account. ![]() For example, apple burns at 1190 degrees, while maple burns at 1200. Remember that it's difficult to find single-species lumps you'll usually find them in the form of briquettes.Įach species of hardwood lump charcoal burns at different temperatures. Darker woods (oak and hickory) impart a stronger flavor that's ideal for red meat. Lighter woods, such as maple, impart a sweeter flavor, which is better for cooking white meat. But different hardwood species provide distinct flavor profiles. What you don't want is small bits and dust that only fall into your ash trap.Ī bag of lump charcoal typically consists of a mixture of hardwoods (usually oak, beech, and ash) as opposed to one species. In terms of quality, good lump charcoal has no fillers, additives, or binders. By making sure the lump charcoal is made of hardwood that was sourced sustainably you can assume that the charcoal doesn't include varnish or other chemicals. Lump charcoal can be made from almost any hardwood and it's often created as a byproduct of sawmills. What to Look for When Buying Lump Charcoal Sources and Quality It's easy to light, burns hot, and produces a great smoky flavor. If you're on a budget or are new to charcoal grilling, go for the Royal Oak All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal. Plus, it doesn't spark as much as other products. We chose the Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal for the top spot due to its smooth, inoffensive flavor and how quickly and consistently it heats up. ![]() Wood Type: Oak, hickory, and mesquite | Sizes Available: 20 pounds Many customers are happy with the quality of the charcoal and that it burns very hot, but some say they found a lot of small-sized bits in the bag that either burn too quickly or fall through the grate. This is made from all-natural wood that has been charred and comes in a 20-pound bag, so there’s plenty for family grilling and parties. It imparts a smoky flavor to food without any off-notes for the perfect grilling experience every time. This charcoal burns hot and fast when needed for excellent searing and has the longevity required for low and slow cooking. While it’s not the least expensive lump charcoal you’ll find, the price is reasonable for everyday grilling, whether it’s burgers, ribs, or a roast. Made from a mix of hardwoods, including oak, hickory, and mesquite, this is a great charcoal for folks who are just starting to dabble with lump charcoal and for all those times when premium charcoal isn’t needed. Some say there are too many small chips in a bag Wood Type: Acacia hardwood | Sizes Available: 8 and 15.4 pounds Price at time of publish: $20 (for 15.4-pound bag) The smaller pieces were handy for starting fires or for adding just a little more wood. The mid-sized pieces lit easily and burned cleanly, providing a nice hot burn and consistent heat-which makes sense since it’s all the same wood type. There were also smaller chunks, but that’s to be expected as bags jostle around in shipping and pieces break off. When it comes to using the charcoal, the bags that were tested had charcoal that was reasonably uniform in size, and mostly mid-sized-so, no large branch-like pieces. The charcoal is made from sustainably harvested acacia wood, and the company claims to sell the first FSC-approved charcoal in the United States. The Good Charcoal Company is a new player in the charcoal market, so you may need to look a little harder to find its products, but we were able to sample the product and it definitely earns a spot on this list. We researched lump charcoals-and sampled a few-looking at factors like quality, flavor, size, and burning temperature to help you decide on the right bag of lump charcoal for your grilling needs. "The pieces should be between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball, and you want to avoid brands where the bags contain lots of charcoal dust and pea-sized pieces, as they can hinder airflow." "When you’re buying lump charcoal, look for brands that prominently contain 100 percent hardwoods," says grilling expert Paul Sidoriak of Grilling Montana. The resulting charcoal makes for consistent fires that are easy to control. ![]() While briquette charcoal is commonly sold in stores, many grilling enthusiasts prefer lump charcoal, which is made by burning hardwood pieces in an airtight environment to remove moisture, sap, and more. There's nothing quite like a backyard BBQ! When it's time to fire up your charcoal grill, you're going to need fuel to get it going, and in general, you're going to have to choose between briquette and lump charcoal.
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