Best Lump Charcoal Of 2023

After spending hours researching we recommend:

  • #1 OUR PICK
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Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal - 20LB

What We Liked

  • Low ash production
  • Mild flavor enhancement
  • Longer burn time and hotter temperature
  • No sparking or popping
  • Does not have filler, chemicals, or scrap

Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood, Extra Large Lump Charcoal

What We Liked

  • Extra-large lumps
  • Burns cleaner and longer
  • Easy and quick lighting
  • Offers food and excellent flavor

Pok Pok Thaan Thai Style Charcoal Logs, 5 lb

What We Liked

  • Eco-friendly
  • Cheaply priced
  • Nice fruity taste
  • Burns for a while
  • High maximum heat

Best Lump Charcoal Of 2023

You might be wondering exactly what makes good lump charcoal exactly and how can I purchase the best one that suits my needs.

But before that, do you know what lump charcoal is? Lump charcoal is a method of grilling your food when you do not have enough space to start a fire for grilling, or you cannot afford gas or electric grills, or perhaps, it is the distinct aroma of lump charcoals makes you want to stick to it.

Lump charcoal is great replacements for firewood as they light faster than briquettes, as well as offering you with hot coals in a matter of minutes.

RANK

IMAGE

NAME

SHOPS

N0 1.

Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal - 20LB

N0 2.

Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood, Extra Large Lump Charcoal

N0 3.

Fogo Premium Oak Restaurant All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal for Grilling and Smoking

N0 4.

Pok Pok Thaan Thai Style Charcoal Logs, 5 lb

N0 5.

Kingsford Easy Light Bag, 2.8 Pounds

N0 6.

Fire & Flavor John Wayne Briquette Charcoal

N0 7.

Royal Oak 100% All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal

N0 8.

Rockwood Premium All-Natural Lump Charcoal

N0 9.

B&B Charcoal Oak Lump Charcoal, Flavor Oak, 20 lbs

Buying Guide for Best Lump Charcoal

Like it has been earlier mentioned, getting a proper quality lump charcoal that suits your needs may be a little tasking.

No worries, as we’ve got you covered. A significant consideration when you want to get your lump charcoal is to ensure you find a brand that makes use of sustainable sources of wood. A lot of manufacturers in the U.S use sustainable practices actually to protect the forest.

But this may not apply to brands that are imported from other countries. This is just one of the factors to consider when you want to get lump charcoal. Thus, the factors include the following:

The Lump Sizes

Several lump charcoals come with inconsistent sizes, but you should know that many brands also display products that feature large chunks of coal.

The size and the shape of lumps that come with the one you buy are significant. Some grills require large chunks for good heat as well to be able to retain heat in the coal-burning chamber.

Peradventure you buy a bag with inconsistent sizes, the probability of the charcoal getting smashed during transport is very high. It is necessary to know that different hardwood makes various shapes and sizes of lump charcoal. Although, quality coal remains the same after a while, is it stored well?

Burning Temperature

It is not possible to say which lump charcoal can accurately sustain its temperature, but you can find out the kind of heat that suits you cooking perfectly.

The heat retention of lump charcoals varies from one brand to another, and this would be written on the package somewhere around. Note that there is no highest limit as lump charcoals can go as high as 1200 or 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.

A rule that can be used to measure it is; the brighter the wood, the more golden the temperature. Never forget that you can control the burn rate of charcoal grills by just adjusting the dampers.

 

Different Wood Species with Different Taste

It is widely known that different types of wood produce different tastes. It can be quite challenging to get which taste is peculiar to the forest, but we will make it simpler for you.

  1. Apple- this is a wood with a flavor that isn’t new to people as it was readily available and abundant. The ‘apple’ wood is used for daily meals in a lot of restaurants as it makes meat milder than hickory or Oak. This flavour is recommended for all kinds of meat.
  2. Oak- this is one which is very common in lump charcoals mixtures as it has been thoroughly tested.

The Oak usually enhances your grilled food with a slightly bitter and strong taste. This is the taste that gets people to grill most times. Some people do go ahead to mix this flavour with other ones.

  1. Cherry- this wood provides your meat with an unusually mild and sweet aroma. Cooks even use it for tender meats like duck meat, chicken or low-fat fish.
  2. Hickory- this particular flavour is considered one of the most excellent grill taste enhancers’ asides oaks. The hickory feeling produces an intense sensation in both the aroma and taste.
  3. Birch- this flavor is referred to as the ‘high risk- high rewards type. This is because people use it to smoke both freshwater and salt fish. Though, if the carbonization of the wood isn’t correctly done, your meat may taste bitter. Therefore, you are to test a sample before cooking everything.

Quality

The very best of lump charcoals are supposed to be 100% natural hardwood, pure in such a way that it is free from binders, chemicals and other additives.

The dust from the wood should be minimized. Woods of good quality is usually large, and they burn longer, so also, they do not produce large amounts of ash. It is not impossible to find pieces that resemble mouldings from a cabinet maker.

A good wood doesn’t spark excessively. If it does, that implies that the wood is lightweight. Thus, it would burn out faster than it should.

Debris Portion

Bags that are used for packaging lump charcoal usually come with debris. It is essential to know much the debris covers. It is better and safer to stay away from bags with a lot of trash.

Top 9 Best Lump Charcoal

1.

Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal - 20LB

The larger ratio of extra-large lumps is one major factor that would leave most grillers impressed that buy the Jealous Devil because it infers that the majority of the charcoal can be used.

What We Liked

  • Low ash production
  • Mild flavor enhancement
  • Longer burn time and hotter temperature
  • No sparking or popping
  • Does not have filler, chemicals, or scrap

What We Didn't Like

  • It is a bit expensive
  • The bag can be a bit dirty to handle

Detailed description

Apart from the large chunks, this lump charcoal would also offer temperatures of up to about 1170°F which is relatively higher than what you would typically get from most of the other lump charcoals in our review.

And so, this would be perfect charcoal for searing meat as it can even help lock in in all the sweet flavors. Also, this charcoal should be able to last for about 4 hours in an open grill or up to an incredible 20 hours when smoking food which infers that a little of this would help go a long way.

Like some of the top-rated lump charcoals that we have, it would also produce ash, with no sparking or popping, and it does not have any chemicals, filler, or even scrap materials. What the design of the bag represents is that it can be a bit dirty to handle, but this is not so much of a big deal because handling charcoal is always a messy task.

And though this is one of our most expensive product in this review, as the price is for two 35-pound bags which in turn means that you would still be able to obtain good value for your money.

2.

Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood, Extra Large Lump Charcoal

The Kamado Joe KJ-Char Hardwood, Extra Large Lump Charcoal is indeed one of the best lump charcoal you can get out there.

What We Liked

  • Extra-large lumps
  • Burns cleaner and longer
  • Easy and quick lighting
  • Offers food and excellent flavor

What We Didn't Like

  • Some pieces are a bit large
  • Lower burning temperature

Detailed description

Lump charcoal with larger bumps is always ideal as they tend to burn hotter and for a more extended period than most of the smaller ones.

But, the KamadoJoe has decided to take things up a notch by going for extra larger lumps that serve to make it one of the best lump charcoals for Kamados out there. The chunks would also light up way faster than other models and tend to burn longer to help to make sure that you do not make use of a lot of charcoal.

And they can be reused for a total of three times. This lump charcoal comes 100% natural without any forms of fillers, additives, fillers, chemicals or scrap material, and this makes sure that your food would enjoy an incredible wood-fire flavor.

Also, apart from the denser and larger lumps, you would get a nice mix of smaller pieces that would prove to be crucial for igniting the fire.

Although the 750°F burning temperature is somewhat lower when you compare it with what others on this list have to offer, it is still ideal for searing steak and any type of cooking.

3.

Fogo Premium Oak Restaurant All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal for Grilling and Smoking

The Fogo Premium Oak Restaurant All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal for Grilling and Smoking is a trendy brand because of the quality it boasts of.

What We Liked

  • Oak smoke flavor
  • Large 35lb bag
  • Ready to burn in the space of 15 minutes
  • Hot burning
  • Sustainably made from Central American hardwood

What We Didn't Like

  • Some lumps may be a bit big for your grill
  • Might take a while to ignite as bigger lumps
  • Some users may realize that it sparks more than other products

Detailed description

Fogo represents Portuguese for fire, and you’ll understand that this charcoal burns hot and long. It is made from trimmings and Central American oak hardwoods. They intentionally select the most significant pieces to export.

The bags have up to 85% medium to large pieces. The larger size makes room for adequate and longer cooks in any smoker or grill, as well as ceramic and Kamado style cookers. FOGO contains less than 5% dust and chips, which is quite low when you compare it to other brands, and why it has become a standard item for a lot of restaurants around the country.

This fuel burns typically at a lower maximum temperature of about 859°F (459°C) than some other brands but still offers a lot of heat for any grilling purpose.

4.

Pok Pok Thaan Thai Style Charcoal Logs, 5 lb

The Pok Pok Thaan Thai Style Charcoal Logs, 5 lb. is high-quality charcoal that has to feature on this review because of its incredible features.

What We Liked

  • Eco-friendly
  • Cheaply priced
  • Nice fruity taste
  • Burns for a while
  • High maximum heat

What We Didn't Like

  • Can be a bit difficult to find

Detailed description

This stuff was made as a friendly replacement of the Japanese binchotan which is not only pricey but typically also got from endangered trees.

This charcoal equivalent is a very cheap one, and it is also more environmentally friendly than the traditional Japanese charcoal, although it has to be a bit less effective.

Thai style charcoal burns for a while at very high temperatures, thus offering you the perfect opportunity to sear heat for fish and different meats, while still giving you plenty of burn time for everything as well as slow smoking.

Thai charcoal is incredibly one of the best types of charcoal available on the market today, and it has a sweet fruity taste to it. As an advantage, it’s also inexpensive, with a fair price tag for this 5 lb. Bundle. 5 lbs. Might not look like a significant deal, but when you think of how long it can burn overall, you would be left feeling that it is truly worth every penny you spend on it.

5.

Kingsford Easy Light Bag, 2.8 Pounds

The Kingsford Easy Light Bag, 2.8 Pounds, is one of the best lump charcoals in this review because of so many reasons which are not quite farfetched.

What We Liked

  • Offers a smoky flavor
  • No lighter fluid required
  • Two 2.8 pound single-use bags
  • Made with real wood and natural ingredients

What We Didn't Like

  • Time-consuming to light all of the coals

Detailed description

The charcoal pieces can be lit quite easily, and they do need any form of lighter fluid or any preparation.

They are made using real wood pieces and natural ingredients. It offers a genuinely incredible and authentic smoky flavor to help improve on the taste of the food you are grilling. This lump charcoal is a pack of two single-use bags which can offer you the room to charcoal grill anywhere.

You just have to turn the bag on its side, and then pull the bottom flap out as you also follow the instructions for lighting the kit. You would be thrilled to note how natural this charcoal is to use!

6.

Fire & Flavor John Wayne Briquette Charcoal

Fire & Flavor John Wayne Briquette Charcoal lumps are very easy to light up so that you do not necessarily need to wait for a long time to commence cooking.

What We Liked

  • These lumps tend to burn for a while
  • They can be started quickly
  • While burning, they are clean

What We Didn't Like

  • Features bags that are relatively smaller to other brands

Detailed description

You can generally begin to cooking after about 15 minutes when you light the lumps. They can maintain their heat for a while to ensure that the foods that you are cooking get heated evenly. These charcoal lumps are reliable and clean.

You can light them quickly. Once they start burning, they can maintain their heat for a long time.

You can make use of these lumps for basically any type of food and still maintain a reasonable level of control over the grilling or smoking so that nothing gets cold or burned in some spots. The oak and hickory base of these lumps serves to ensure that you enjoy a natural flavor in virtually everything that you cook.

There are ridges of the lumps that help to make them a lot easier to light. This also improves on a more excellent airflow so that everything cooks cleanly and consistently.

7.

Royal Oak 100% All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal

The Royal Oak has the USA emblem, as it comes from renewable maple oak, hickory, and walnut hardwoods.

What We Liked

  • Slow and hot burning
  • Maple, Oak, walnut, and hickory blend
  • Made from renewable American hardwoods
  • Ready to cook within 15 minutes

What We Didn't Like

  • Small 8.8lb bag
  • Might require a starter chimney to ignite it
  • Variation in lump charcoal size in the bag
  • Smaller lumps may fall from the grate on first burning

Detailed description

The kit we took a look at had little dust, which is an advantage if you plan on paying for the weight. The pieces were distributed evenly between medium, small, and large. It works perfectly in ceramic and Kamado grills.

Royal Oak only refers to two brands on their website, which are Star Grill Lump and 100% All Natural Hardwood Lump. The major highlight of that is both brands have the same description.

Other brands that Royal Oak packs include Best Choice, Chuckwagon, Grill Time, Big Green Egg, Real Flavor (Walmart), Wegmans,  and finally Nature-Glo. Some of these bags do not possess the USA logo and probably can be traced to Central American sources if you have issues with sustainability practices.

8.

Rockwood Premium All-Natural Lump Charcoal

The Rockwood Premium All-Natural Lump Charcoal makes use of premium Missouri oak, hickory, and maple, which are all solely sourced from Missouri.

What We Liked

  • Low waste and low burn
  • Designed in the US
  • Made from Missouri hardwoods
  • A hickory and oak mix with pecan and maple
  • Suitable for all smokers and grills

What We Didn't Like

  • Does not have a high temperature as other products
  • Occasionally has debris in bags
  • The charcoal lumps have different sizes

Detailed description

The three-pack of Rockwood charcoal is designed in the US from using 100% waste Missouri hardwoods – a mix of hickory and Oak with some maple and pecan.

It can be used for all smokers or grills but majorly kamado-style grills. As natural charcoal, it comes in different sizes and lumps which can infer that there would be wastage sometimes with smaller chunks falling off the grate.

Although it might not burn well when it is at high temperatures, as it may be more ideal for more relaxed and slower burns.

There is also a probability that some users might notice debris or stones in this charcoal. This is quite common with lump charcoal, so it is always important to take a quick check when placing any type of charcoal on the grill.

9.

B&B Charcoal Oak Lump Charcoal, Flavor Oak, 20 lbs

This is a 20-pound bag of 100% natural oak lump charcoal. The B&B Charcoal brand has been at the forefront of producing lump charcoal for about 50 years and counting.

What We Liked

  • 100% natural oak
  • No lumber scraps
  • Burns longer, hotter, and cleaner than most charcoals

What We Didn't Like

  • Might take some time for the coal to get heated up

Detailed description

By making use of a very distinct process, B&B has been able to rid their wood of so many unwanted foreign material.

This includes acids and resins that are mostly found in a couple of other brands. What this means is that what you would have left is the natural fibre of the wood, which explains the natural flavor that your grilled foods tend to capture when making use of B&B Charcoal.

These charcoal pieces burn longer, hotter, and even cleaner, as they are environmentally friendly. There are no forms of fillers, additives, or lumber scraps that come included in this oak lump charcoal.

If you are trying to grill meat, this charcoal would help you sear meat quicker, capturing the natural flavor so that you are allowed to savour the taste long after the grilling has finished.

Try not to miss out of this flavorful charcoal product, as you would love the results that you’d get from using the B&B charcoal!

Conclusion

The Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal – 20LB has to be our favorite pick in the review for the best lump charcoal. Apart from the large chunks, this lump charcoal would also offer temperatures of up to about 1170°F which is relatively higher than what you would typically get from most of the other lump charcoals in our review.

And so, this would be perfect charcoal for searing meat as it can even help lock in in all the sweet flavors. Also, this charcoal should be able to last for about 4 hours in an open grill or up to an incredible 20 hours when smoking food which infers that a little of this would help go a long way.

Like some of the top-rated lump charcoals that we have, it would also produce ash, with no sparking or popping, and it does not have any chemicals, filler, or even scrap materials. What the design of the bag represents is that it can be a bit dirty to handle, but this is not so much of a big deal because handling charcoal is always a messy task.

And though this is one of our most expensive product in this review, as the price is for two 35-pound bags which in turn means that you would still be able to obtain good value for your money.

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