Few other methods of cooking can match grilling with charcoal when it comes to taste, especially if you love that smoky flavor. While most people put a lot of thought into choosing their grill, they’re considerably less picky when it comes to the fuel source and often just grab the first bag of charcoal they see on the shelf at their local store. This is a mistake, as charcoal plays a bigger role in the flavor of your food than the grill itself.
There are two types of charcoal: lump and briquettes, and each offer its own benefits.
Shop this article: Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal, Cowboy 24220 Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal and Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Lump charcoal is made by burning wood until all the sap and moisture have been released. What you’re left with is pure carbon charcoal with no impurities, which is why many purists swear by it. Lump charcoal lights quickly and generally burns hot and fast, making it ideal for getting a heavy sear on meats. Because it has no impurities or additives, it doesn’t produce too much ash and will never impart a chemical flavor on your food.
Jealous Devil All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Made of an ultra-dense hardwood and completely free of chemicals, this lump charcoal burns hot and for a long time with minimal popping. This makes it a good choice for both low-and-slow and high-temperature grilling.
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Cowboy 24220 Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Eco-conscious consumers will appreciate that Cowboy Lump Charcoal comes from renewable sources and is made following sustainable practices. It has no additives, so the only flavor it imparts on your food is the one you want from the smoke.
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Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Thanks to its mix of oak, hickory, maple and pecan woods, Rockwood All-Natural imparts a unique flavor to your food. In addition to using wood left over from timber milling as the source, the company also packages it in recyclable bags printed with soy-based inks.
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When most people think of charcoal, they’re picturing charcoal briquettes. These are what you see stocking the shelves of every big-box retailer when spring rolls around. Usually, they’re made from a combination of sawdust, fillers and other additives, though there are also some pure options. Many people like briquettes because they burn for a long time and maintain a steady temperature.
The downside to briquettes is that they leave behind a lot of ash and can be difficult to light if you don’t have a chimney starter or aren’t using lighter fluid. Also, some claim the additives can impart an unwanted flavor on foods.
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Original Natural Charcoal Hardwood Briquettes
Unlike many other briquettes, Original Natural is made without any fillers or additives. Despite that, it holds together well and can be lit without the need for lighter fluid. It’s a chef-grade option suitable for pitmasters and serious barbecue enthusiasts.
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Kingsford Professional Competition Briquettes
Kingsford Competition is designed to burn hotter and longer than their popular original variety. If you can handle the extra heat, it’s great for getting a hard sear on meats or for events where you’ll be grilling for hours.
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Jealous Devil Maxxx XL All Natural Hardwood Charcoal Pillow Briquets
These extra-large briquettes are twice the size of most others, so they burn hot and for a very long time. If you don’t like to have to deal with constantly adding charcoal to your fire during extended backyard barbecues, these are the ones for you.
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Brett Dvoretz writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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