Nothing, either propane or briquettes, prepare an authentic grilled/smoke meal like lump charcoal. It offers your dishes a distinct smoky aroma or flavor.
Sadly, finding the best lump charcoal on the market is never an easy task. Obviously, you now know the substantial impact of the type of fuel you use in cooking on your food.
Typically, cooking with lump charcoal offers a deeper, darker color on whatever you’re smoking. Therefore, if you’re looking to add an entirely tasty profile to your meat, here’s a list of the best lump charcoal available on the market.
Best Lump Charcoal For Grilling and Smoking Reviews by Consumer Reports
Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood Lump Charcoal – Best Overall
Our top choice for the best lump charcoal is a new upgrade, including the packaging for those who are concerned.
In comparison, Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood Lump Charcoal is well packed in an enclosed bin, which ensures this unit does not get damaged during transportation. Thus, it’s a lot easier to store and transport.
What’s more? It is 100% natural and burns for a long time for more than 12 hours, producing an even and consistent heat temperature. This allows your steak to grill over 750oF.
At this high temperature, you can easily achieve a perfect steakhouse-styled grilling experience with the unique smoked flavor. Speaking about longer burning time, the charcoal cooks at high heat and slowly producing moisture meat.
Further, this unit gets easily lit up without a lot of hassle. Plus, it works well with origin Kamado joe lighter. Within the first 15 minutes, the desired cooking temperature is achieved.
Even better, this product allows you to focus more on grilling than keeping the charcoal burning. However, if you are bothered about consumption, adding new champs of Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood Lump Charcoal makes it reusable for more than twice times.
Lastly, this unit comes with an affordable price and can be reused, which makes your grill very useful. Another impressive advantage is its ability to burn clean without leaving a lot of ash after grilling.
What I Like
- Burns slowly and longer
- Clean burn with few sparks and little ash
- Impressive box packaging
- Achieve over 750 degrees Fahrenheit
What I Don’t Like
- Not everyone loves the odd smell
Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
The Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal has a lot of top-selling features including its re-designed bag, which protects the charcoal from damages during shipping. This means you have your lump charcoal in larger sizes and less residue and dust.
While this selling point might seem like a small thing, it can be all the difference when hitting your coal.
Unlike the coal made from oak, this coal is actually made from South American hardwoods which do not come with that unpleasant bitterness that often finds its way into your meal.
More so, it offers a mild, smooth flavor, without overpowering your food’s flavor irrespective of how your style of cooking – slow and long or fast and short. The wood is handpicked for coal making and further processed manually in brick kilns built especially for that purpose. After this, only the largest and most intact lumps are picked.
Even better, this wood, unlike other products on the market, sparks less. Thus, Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is a tad safer and not so dramatic when lighting and using.
That’s not all: this product light easily and burns for an extended period. Jealous Devil can reach an optimal temperature of 1172 degrees F. As mention above, this lump charcoal is free from foreign objects and contains a minimal amount of dust.
Also, its scent isn’t anything like the American hardwoods and might take a while to get used to. Besides, it’s an excellent choice for smoking/grilling.
What I Like
- A great choice for grilling
- Lights up easily and quickly and burns exceptionally hot
- Doesn’t pop with little ash
- Even heat distribution
What I Don’t Like
- Come with few amounts of large charcoal chunk
Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal – Missouri Oak, Hickory, Maple, and Pecan Wood Mix
While this lump charcoal is one of the budget options, it is highly sought after by users. Plus, it comes in a pack of three 20-pounds bags which makes it an economical choice.
Rockwood Lump Charcoal is an excellent value for those looking to do a lot of barbecuing and grilling. With several chefs and websites recommending this unit, no doubt most competitive barbecue teams use this lump charcoal.
In addition, the coal is made from Missouri hardwoods and majorly contains hickory and oak, along with pecan wood and maple. Altogether, it offers a rich aroma from woods, thereby adding a rich flavor to your food.
Instead of cutting wood for the primary purpose of making charcoal, the leftover wood was used. This makes it eco-friendly as well as for your grill.
Sadly, this product, unlike other lump charcoal reviewed on this list, Rockwood lump charcoal is slightly harder to light. On the other hand, this unit will burn for an extended period.
Even better, this charcoal produces a very minute amount of ash, which makes it a perfect choice for slower, more prolonged grilling/smoking. However, Rockwood lump charcoal can reach a maximum of the temperature of 900 degrees Fahrenheit, thus making it a top choice for those looking to sear at high heat.
What I Like
- 100% all-natural lump charcoal
- Produces a minimal amount of ashes
- Heat quickly and super hot
- Impressive packing
- Eco-friendly
What I Don’t Like
- The bag might contain significant about of charcoal dust
IPPINKA Kishu Binchotan BBQ Charcoal
Another lump charcoal ranking high on our list of the finest charcoal is IPPINKA Kishu Binchotan BBQ Charcoal. While this unit comes with a hefty price tag, it offers premium benefits worth every penny.
The coal itself is made from Japanese oak (binchotan wood) grown in Kishu, Japan known to burn hotter and longer than most types of charcoal. This feature is a result of the wood type and processing, which makes it burns at a super high temperature followed by incredible fast cooling.
However, when using this charcoal chimney ensure you use a spark screen or arrestor when lightening it. Also, the area around the grill and chimney should not contain combustible materials.
What I Like
- Offers better BBQ experience
- High-grade BBQ charcoal
- Preserves flavorful juices
- Burns at a super high temperature
What I Don’t Like
- This product may be a bit overpriced
Royal Oak All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
For people in the market for affordable lump charcoal, then you should be on top of your list. Despite being an excellent choice for new users looking to explore this type of fuel, experienced smokers or grillers opt for this option for the smokey flavor.
Its coal is made from hickory, walnut, maple, and oak. Thus, you should expect more smoke than other brands. Moreover, it’s easy to light and burns a bit faster, as well.
Unfortunately, a number of customers have complained about the product’s inconsistencies as the package includes metal or rock present in the bag’s bottom. But on the bright side, lots of users find this product satisfactory and perfect for them.
What’s more? Royal Oak All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal does not include any additives or chemicals. It burns super hot and sears your meat beautifully without let those juicy flavors get lose during the process. Still, it adds a remarkable smoky taste.
What I Like
- Even temperature cooking
- High cooking temperature
- Budget-friendly
- No additive or chemicals
What I Don’t Like
- There are inconsistencies in the product, as some include rocks
Wicked Good Charcoal Charcoal Lump Bag
This charcoal lump is sought after because of its ability to burn forever without producing a disturbing amount of smoke. Its charcoal is made from the Brazilian wood and certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council.
Another excellent feature is its size distribution. The bag contained a minute amount of dust and chips. The charcoal comes with a pleasant mild smell often known as perfumey smell, which is familiar with tropical wood charcoals. Thus, grillers who love to cook with little smoke flavor in their food will find this unit perfect.
Now, let’s talk about lighting this charcoal. Wicked Good Charcoal Charcoal Lump Bag is a bit difficult to light compared to other models reviewed in this list. This lump charcoal took more than three sheets to get you started.
Therefore, you should expect Wicked Good Charcoal Charcoal Lump Bag to last long, as denser charcoal takes a while to light and offers a longer burning time. Users may experience a little trouble lightening this charcoal, but once it’s light, you will have no problems achieving 800 degrees F to cook your steaks.
Further, let’s take a closer look at its longevity. As said earlier, this unit contains dense charcoal weighing about 22 pounds. This lump will offer about 13 hours of cooking time, staring at 230 degrees Fahrenheit and climb through to 330 degrees F and higher slowly.
What I Like
- Dense hardwood
- Last longer
- Burns incredibly hot
- Little ash produce
What I Don’t Like
- The charcoal chunks could be bigger
- Takes a while to light
COCO-BBQ Eco-Friendly Barbecue Charcoal
The COCO-BBQ Eco-Friendly Barbecue Charcoal is made from all-natural compressed coconut shells. The materials are organic compounds which means they are eco-friendly. Plus, it offer your taste bud a flavor they can’t resist.
Speaking about an eco-friendly solution, this lump charcoal is free from GMO and burns more than three times the regular charcoals. This product offers the perfect balance between not enough smoke and too much.
Unlike other cheap alternatives, COCO-BBQ Eco-Friendly Barbecue Charcoal burns surprisingly hotter without burning out fast. With this charcoal, you don’t need to empty a bag of lump charcoal because you want to smoke/grill your streak.
One briquette roll pack should be enough for a grilling session, except you are cooking for a large group of people. COCO-BBQ Eco-Friendly Barbecue Charcoal helps bring your cooking to perfection with rich and refreshing flavors. It’s an ideal option for people looking to use lump charcoal with outdoor charcoal grills, smokers, and barbecues.
What I Like
- A wide range of pack options
- Eco-friendly
- Burns more with less fuel
- Great for low ‘n’ slow cooking
What I Don’t Like
- Doesn’t last as other brands reviewed in this piece
Cowboy Brand Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Its charcoals are made from tree limbs, with a primary aim of adding that smoky flavors to your vegetables and meat. While Cowboy charcoal may not be the best lump charcoal on this list, it offers what really counts – unique taste in your food.
The Cowboy Brand Hardwood Lump Charcoal is lump wood barbecue charcoal burns with little ash produced. Further, this product is a good option for in-house smoking/grilling purposes as it leaves no chemical odor in your dishes.
Even better, its charcoals made from kiln-dried hardwoods offer exceptional heat production, which makes it great for searing pork and chicken and other types of meat. This lump charcoal has proven excellent for low ‘n’ slow cooking.
Again, grillers will enjoy the gentle, less overpowering smoky flavor and clean burning. Above all, you don’t have to break a bank to get started with this option.
What I Like
- Affordable
- Burns very hot
- Offers a gentle smoky taste
What I Don’t Like
- Burning time could better
Cowboy 24220 Lump Charcoal
Needless to say, grilling is one of the oldest methods of cooking. However, its characteristics – inviting aroma and hearty flavor – are why its cuisine is still being preferred.
Cowboy claims to continues this tradition using lump charcoal – a blend of maple hardwoods, hickory, and oak. Its supreme heat quickly retains the moisture and seals in the flavor in your meat and vegetable.
More, this unit will impart a distinct charcoal flavor. Its all-natural charcoal burns cleaner without any hassle lightening it up. Besides, this product cooks better and quicker than briquette and requires less charcoal.
What I Like
- 100%, all-natural hardwood lump charcoal
- Burns really hot and sear in flavor fast
- No need for lighter fluid
- No off flavors or tastes from additives
What I Don’t Like
- Broken pieces of charcoal
What’s Lump Charcoal?
This charcoal is made from natural hardwoods, burnt in an environment with no oxygen. it contains about 89% carbon and looks just like charred or burnt wood.
While this process seems like a breeze, it’s labor-intensive. It requires about 90 lbs of wood to make a 15 lbs of lump charcoal or 1.5 tons of wood to make 0.24 tons of charred or burnt charcoal.
Usually, tree limbs, scraps from sawmills, and short logs are used to produce lump charcoal. They burn these materials in an oxygen-free kiln until black carbon is all that’s left.
Burning in an oxygen-free fashion purifies the wood. The volatile alcohol, oils, and water in the wood are vaporized as smoke. Thus, you have clean-burning black charcoal left behind.
Why Lump Charcoal Is Best For Grilling
Grillers with limited time will prefer charcoal to briquettes as it easier and faster to light, and in a couple of minutes produces hot glowing coals.
Unlike wood or the best briquettes, it burns hotter and leaves less ash. Because lump charcoals are more reactive to oxygen, the temperature and flame are more comfortable to control using adjustable air vents of the grill.
Lump charcoal made from wood is the best choice for fast, superheat cooking for indoor juicy medium-rare and sizzling outdoor sear. Certain hardwood species offer a high burning temperature of about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, it doesn’t translate to being unable to smoke or grill low ‘n’ slow, like chicken or pork chops. All you have to do is simply use the vents to adjust the airflow and hence the cooking temperature.
Many grill masters take advantage of these exclusive lump characteristics for heating their grills/smoker because it’s eco-friendly and 100 percent natural. On top of that, it will include a gentle smoky flavor.
Besides, lump charcoal burns cleaner than briquettes, since it lacks any filler ingredients or additives. Even better, smoke produced by burning lumps is not intense compared to raw wood, which most time releases an overpowering smoky flavor.
Irrespective of your choice: low well-distributed heat for smoking or hot grill fire, you will need to purchase lump charcoal for a quality brand.
Characteristics of the Best Lump Charcoal
The best lump wood charcoal should not contain binders, fillers, chemical or other additives i.e., 100% all-natural hardwood.
A good lump brand will only come with little dust at the packaging bag’s bottom and similar sized chunks. Large pieces have superior quality, thereby, burning longer with a bit of amount of ash left behind.
Here are other important characteristics to bear in mind, high-quality charcoal will not produce excess sparking.
While excessive sparking offers that lovely fireworks feeling at night, a lot of things can go wrong in a jiffy. Besides, sparking may mean your fuel is made from lightweight woods and will definitely have a short burning period.
Also, lump charcoal from the top, quality brands will not include foreign objects such as unburnt wood, dirt, or nails in the bag.