Lump charcoal, also known as natural lump charcoal, is a type of charcoal made from pieces of wood or wood scraps. It differs from traditional briquettes which are manufactured from compressed sawdust. Lump charcoal has become a popular fuel source for grilling and smoking among backyard barbecue enthusiasts. But what exactly are the pros and cons of using lump charcoal? Here we’ll examine the benefits and drawbacks of lump charcoal to help you decide if it’s right for your next cookout.
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Pros of Lump Charcoal
Burns hotter
One of the biggest advantages of lump charcoal is that it burns significantly hotter than briquettes. Lump charcoal can reach temperatures between 750-900°F, while briquettes only get up to 600°F. The higher heat allows you to properly sear foods like steaks and burgers to get that delicious char. It also means lump charcoal will heat up faster so you can start cooking sooner.
Longer burn time
A chimney starter full of lump charcoal will typically burn for 90+ minutes, sometimes up to 2 hours with adequate ventilation. Briquettes usually only last 60-75 minutes before needing to be replenished. The longer burn time means you have to babysit the grill less when using lump charcoal. Once it’s lit and stabilized, you can let it burn steadily at the desired temp for extended periods.
Natural wood flavor
Lump charcoal retains its natural wood flavor since it doesn’t contain fillers or binders like briquettes. As it burns down, those wood aromas are released which can impart a subtle smoky taste to your food. People often describe it as a lighter, cleaner flavor profile. If you’re looking to highlight the natural taste of your meat or veggies, lump charcoal is a great option.
Environmentally friendly
Lump charcoal is made from leftover wood scrap pieces, so it’s an efficient use of wood waste that would otherwise be discarded. Less processing and manufacturing is involved compared to briquettes. Lump charcoal also tends to burn cleaner with less ash, sparks, and smoke produced. Overall, it’s considered a more eco-friendly and sustainable charcoal source.
Can be cheaper
Surprisingly, lump charcoal is often cheaper per pound compared to briquettes. Since you use less lump charcoal for the same cook time, the cost savings add up quickly. Given its other advantages like longer burn time and hotter heat, lump charcoal delivers more value for your money in most cases. It depends on the brand, but it’s possible to save 30-50% using lump vs briquettes.
Cons of Lump Charcoal
Uneven sizes and shapes
Since lump charcoal comes in irregular chunks and pieces, it can be more difficult to spread evenly and burn consistently across your grill or smoker. You get more inconsistent hot and cool spots which makes managing your temps trickier, especially for low and slow barbecue. It also doesn’t stack neatly like uniform briquettes.
More ash
While lump charcoal does burn cleaner overall, it produces more ashes that need cleaning up after you cook since it’s just charred wood. The ash is also finer and can blow around easily while grilling. The small bits get on your food more often. Briquettes leave behind less ash residue comparatively.
Harder to light
Due to the uneven shapes and sizes of lump charcoal, it doesn’t catch and start as easily as briquettes. You need a chimney starter and more time to get a full load of lump charcoal lit and ready to cook with. Briquettes have binders and fillers that help them light faster and more uniformly with less effort.
Shorter shelf life
Lump charcoal generally doesn’t last as long after opening compared to briquettes. It can absorb moisture over time since it’s raw wood. Lump can crumble faster and be prone to rotting, bugs, and mold if stored improperly. Always keep it sealed in air tight bags or containers to maximize freshness and longevity.
Less heat regulation
It can be harder to precisely control your temperatures when using lump charcoal. The burn isn’t as consistent or predictable compared to uniform briquettes. Lump also reacts faster to changes in airflow which can lead to more spiking temps. You have less leeway and margin of error if trying to hold at a specific temp.
When to Use Lump Charcoal
Here are the best uses and situations for taking advantage of lump charcoal:
– Grilling steaks, chops, burgers, vegetables and anything needing high direct heat for searing and char.
– Smoking foods for short cooks (under 4 hours) like chicken parts, ribs, fish.
– Adding extra wood chunks for more smoke flavor since lump doesn’t have fillers.
– Minimalist open fire cooking like campfires or metal skewers and grates.
– Portable grills, tabletop cookers, or tailgating where high heat and fast cooking are priorities.
– Ceramic cookers like Kamado grills which benefit from lump’s high burn temps.
When to Use Briquettes
Here are the best uses and situations where briquettes perform better than lump:
– Maintaining steady low and slow barbecue temps (225-275°F) for many hours when smoking larger cuts of meat.
– Precise temperature control and heat regulation for complex recipes.
– Longer overnight smoking sessions where charcoal needs to last 10-16 hours reliably.
– Home smokers and grills with smaller cooking chambers that need an even charcoal load.
– In poor weather when lighting charcoal quickly and evenly is a challenge.
– Tailgating or camping when neat uniform briquette stacks are preferred.
Best Lump Charcoal Brands
| Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Jealous Devil | Ultra high heat, minimal ash |
| Fogo Super Premium | Large chunks, long burn time |
| Rockwood All Natural | Great value, big bags |
| Kamado Joe | Specifically for ceramic cookers |
| Royal Oak | Affordable price, easy to find |
When shopping for lump charcoal, look for brands that use high quality wood, have large and consistent chunk sizes, produce minimal ash, and avoid fillers or chemical binders. Premium lump charcoal made in the USA from South American or other hardwood tends to burn the best.
Is Lump Charcoal Better Than Briquettes?
There is no definitive “better” option between lump charcoal and briquettes. Each has advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs:
Lump Charcoal
Pros:
– Burns hotter
– Longer burn time
– Natural wood flavor
– Lower ash
– Often cheaper
Cons:
– Irregular shapes
– Uneven heating
– Harder to light
– Shorter shelf life
– Less temp regulation
Briquettes
Pros:
– Uniform shape for even heating
– Easy, consistent lighting
– Precise temp control
– Long shelf life when stored properly
– Less ash cleanup
Cons:
– Lower burn temps
– Shorter burn times
– Contains fillers and binders
– Can be more expensive
For quick, high heat grilling at higher temps, lump charcoal is usually the better option. For low and slow smoking where precise control is needed, briquettes tend to perform better. Many backyard barbecue cooks use a combination depending on the type of cooking they are doing. Try both yourself under different conditions to see which you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lump charcoal have chemicals?
Quality lump charcoal is made from 100% natural wood with no fillers, binders or chemicals added during processing. Cheaper brands may contain non-wood fillers, petroleum binders, borax or other chemicals as filler. Always check the ingredients if you wish to avoid chemical additives.
Can you reuse lump charcoal?
It’s possible but not recommended. Leftover lump charcoal loses its heat output and lights inconsistently the second time around. The ash content increases with reuse making temperature control difficult. Fresh lump works significantly better. Only reuse intact larges pieces if needed.
Is lump better for smoking?
For short smoking cooks under 4-5 hours, lump can be ideal since you want clean, consistent high heat. But for true low and slow smoking for 10+ hours, briquettes are usually better for precise temperature control and heat management. Many pitmasters use a combo, starting with lump for heat then briquettes to hold temps.
Does lump charcoal have an expiration date?
There is no precise expiration date, but lump charcoal remains fresh for about 1-2 years after opening if stored properly in an airtight bag or container. Over time it can absorb moisture and lose heating performance. Buy from reputable sellers with high turnover to maximize freshness.
Is lump charcoal better for the environment?
Yes, lump charcoal has less environmental impact since it’s made from recycled wood waste that would otherwise be discarded. Less manufacturing and processing is involved compared to briquettes. Lump also burns cleaner and more efficiently producing less carbon emissions, waste, and ash per cook.
Conclusion
Lump charcoal brings some unique advantages to the table for grilling and smoking enthusiasts. The high heat output, long burn times, and natural wood flavor make it a go-to choice for many backyard cooks. However, for those needing precise low and slow temperature control, uniform briquettes still reign supreme. Consider the pros and cons of each to decide which option best suits your barbecue needs and style. Try out different brands of lump charcoal to experience the differences in performance. With a little practice using lump charcoal, you can take your grilling and smoking to the next level.