If you’re a charcoal barbeque enthusiast, then you probably already know the advantages of cooking with lump charcoal over traditional briquettes.
Lump charcoal burns cleaner, offers a customizable flavor profile depending on which hardwood it’s sourced from, and can even be reused for your next cookout. The best lump charcoal is furthermore typically all-natural whereas briquettes often contain additives such as limestone and borax that may negatively affect flavor. Read on below to take a closer look at the pros and cons of briquettes vs. lump charcoal, as well as for more info on the specific flavor profiles of different source-woods.
Our top list of the best lump charcoal has pinned down a variety of different options each offering their own unique cooking experience so you can select just the right fuel source for your pitmaster endeavors.
Consisting of a blend of South American hardwoods including White Quebracho, Caoba, Guayacan, and Aromo, this option offers a characteristic and pleasant aroma resulting in a mild, friendly flavor profile, so it’s great for cooking all types of meat and fish. This is a great option for pitmasters with lots of different courses on the menu due to its versatility in regards to flavor-compatibility.
The particularly high density of the source woods furthermore means this charcoal burns especially clean and with very little smoke output, so there’s not much cleanup necessary after cooking with Marabu! The large, dense lumps also offer an especially long burn time, so this is a great choice for all-day beach barbeques, family cookouts, hosted events, and more!
Made from pure, ultra-dense, 100% legally sourced South American hardwoods
Smooth and mild-smokey flavor is a wonderful flavor enhancer without being overpowering
Utilized hardwoods are up to 30% denser than oak or hickory resulting in longer burn times at hotter temperatures
High density of the utilized wood is rated for 4+ hours of cooking with open grills and 20+ hours in smokers!
All natural – made without fillers, chemicals, or scrap wood
Bag is waterproof, dustproof, and resealable with a zip-lock closure
Jealous Devil’s All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is a fantastic go-to option for those seeking a long burning charcoal option that burns at an especially high temperature. Camp chefs, in particular, will love having this brand of charcoal at the ready in their camp kitchen due to its low maintenance, and long cook time.
Made from pure, ultra-dense,100% legally sourced South American hardwoods, the brand has come up with a charcoal blend consisting of utilized hardwoods up to 30% denser than oak or hickory. Simply put, once you get cooking, this results in less charcoal, and more heat, so your 35-pound bag will go a long way!
The brand has even gone ahead and packaged this lump charcoal in a resealable, waterproof bag, so you can toss the remnants of your charcoal bed right back into the bag once they’re cooled off for reuse. While it’s easy enough to use a ziplock for leftover lump charcoal, we nonetheless find this to be an exceptionally underrated feature that will ensure you actually salvage and reuse your charcoal.
The source wood used here results in a smooth and mild-smokey aroma that’s reviewed as a wonderful flavor enhancer without being too overpowering. If you want to explore the flavor influence of utilizing lump charcoal vs. other fuel sources, you’ll taste the difference between cooking with charcoal briquettes with this one! That being said, the flavor profile remains fairly neutral, so you can absolutely add to the aroma and resulting food taste by mixing in your favorite hardwood chips or chunks.
It should be noted that this option although exceptionally dense, is noted for being a bit smoky, so if you’re seeking lump charcoal that burns particularly clean and sparkless, you may want to explore some other options.
In regards to its flavor profile, oak has a medium smoky flavor that is bolder than apple and cherry, but lighter than mesquite and hickory. It’s a more or less neutral option of source wood that offers a nice flavor profile both on its own, as well as when paired with other woods or charcoals.
In other words, this option is not particularly bold, so you can build a more specific flavor profile by adding wood chips or chunks of your choice for more extravagant culinary endeavors cooking any type of meat!
Full of mostly large pieces measuring at least four inches long, the brand has engineered a charcoal option here that’s great for low and slow cooks, lasting up to an impressive 18 hours! The larger size pieces furthermore result in less ash cleanup, easier coal maintenance once cooking, and greater potential for re-use at your next cookout!
Handmade from exceptionally hard and dense South American Quebracho wood
Designed for extreme long-lasting heat with minimal smoke and sparks
Easy to light and maintain lump charcoal making for a particularly user-friendly cooking experience
Quebracho wood is sustainably harvested from South America without cutting down trees
Particularly great for ceramic grills
All natural not containing any chemical additives
33 Pound bag at this price point is a great value!
This 33-pound bag of Restaurant Style Lump Charcoal by Harder Charcoal is a wonderfully affordable option for pitmasters shopping on a budget that are nonetheless unwilling to sacrifice the quality of their charcoal.
Handmade from exceptionally hard and dense South American Quebracho wood, this is a very highly reviewed charcoal option that’s praised by barbeque enthusiasts of all kinds.
Putting off a mild aroma and characteristic but neutral flavor, this charcoal will pair nicely with wood chips or chunks of your choice for further customizing your intended flavor profile. In other words, it’s a great performing charcoal option with a close to clean-slate you can build upon in regards to flavor influence.
Designed for extreme long-lasting heat with minimal smoke and sparks, Harder Charcoal’s Restaurant Style Lumps are particularly easy to light and maintain, so those new to the charcoal cooking world will furthermore find a friend here. Whether you consider yourself an expert or not, this charcoal option is a breeze to cook with, so those seeking a user-friendly grilling or smoking experience will likely love this choice.
It should be noted that the Quebracho wood used to create this charcoal is sustainably harvested from South America without cutting down any trees. The brand has also been sure to leave out any and all chemical additives, so this is a truly all-natural charcoal option.
Affordable, easy to light and maintain, and sustainably sourced, Harder Charcoal is a solid go-to for amateur and expert pitmasters alike!
Made from big lumps of QBE White Quebracho ultra-dense hardwood
Characteristic, pleasant aroma adds mild flavor without being too bold, making it a great choice for cooking essentially anything!
Burns especially clean without sparks or flame and leaves behind very little ash
Density of the utilized wood makes it a bit intensive to light, but then in turn offers particularly high heat and long burn times
Sustainably sourced and ecologically mindful charcoal derived from controlled pruning vs. timber harvesting is in compliance with FSC, PEFC, and REACH certifications
Josper’s 100% All Natural Lump Charcoal is a high quality, sustainably sourced option that’s great for grilling and smoking at particularly high temperatures for long durations.
Made from big lumps of QBE White Quebracho ultra-dense hardwood, these pieces of lump charcoal burn exceptionally clean, putting off very little sparks or flame and leaving behind next to no ash. The high density of the utilized wood makes this option a bit more intensive to light compared to some of the competition, but is well worth the added effort if you’re seeking particularly high heat and long burn times out of your fuel source.
The source wood for this charcoal results in a characteristic, pleasant aroma that adds mild flavor without being too bold, so this is a friendly choice for cooking essentially all meat and veggies. You can always go ahead and add some wood chips or chunks of your choice to your coal bed for a more specific flavor profile.
Ecologically minded barbeque lovers will be thrilled to know that this charcoal is sustainably sourced from controlled pruning vs. timber harvesting and is furthermore in compliance with FSC, PEFC, and REACH certifications. The price point might be just a touch higher than the budget competition, but it’s worth knowing your charcoal has been ethically sourced with the health of the planet in mind!
100% all-natural lump charcoal made from Missouri grown oak, hickory, maple, and pecan for a wonderful aroma
Light, smoky flavor profile remains neutral without being too overpowering
Lights and heats quickly and easily – great for getting the show on the road ASAP
Burns clean with low smoke once properly lit, great for cooking meat, poultry, and fish
Sustainably sourced, made exclusively from hardwood leftover from timber milling
Paper bag and soy-based inks are recyclable, landfill-safe, and won’t produce harmful fumes if burned
Rockwood’s All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is an especially ecologically mindful option that’s offered at a more than reasonable price point considering its quality and sustainability story.
This is a 100% all-natural lump charcoal made from Missouri grown oak, hickory, maple, and pecan resulting in a wonderfully blended aroma. The resulting flavor profile is light and smoky without being too bold, so it’s a stellar choice of fuel source for cooking most all meats and fish
This option is also well reviewed for lighting and heating quickly, so it’s a great go-to for pitmasters who struggle with patience in regards to their barbeque-prep. Once lit, this blend of lump charcoal burns nice and clean with low smoke output, once again affirming itself as a particularly versatile option.
To top it all off, Rockwood has made some serious efforts to sustainably source this lump charcoal. It’s made exclusively from hardwood leftover from timber milling, and therefore does not require any deforestation. Even the paper bag and soy-based inks are recyclable, landfill-safe, and won’t produce harmful fumes if burned – the brand hasn’t cut any corners with this one!
Made from natural Brazillian Eucalyptus in order to generate authentic Brazilian steakhouse flavor
Mild, oaky flavor pairs nicely with smoking chips/chunks for further customizing your flavor profile
Clean burn resulting in very little smoke and ash
Eucalyptus charcoal is renowned for fast lighting, high heat, and long burn times
All natural – no fillers, nitrates, chemicals, or petroleum products
Produced using sustainably grown eucalyptus in a manner that includes soil and water preservation efforts with no deforestation
Big Green Egg’s 100% Natural Brazilian Hardwood Lump Charcoal is a clean-burning, high heat charcoal option that’s perfectly suited for culinary endeavors in which you want to promote authentic Brazilian steakhouse flavor.
This 17.5-pound bag might be a bit on the pricey side, but once you cook with this charcoal once you’ll understand why barbeque enthusiasts are happy to spend the money on this one!
Eucalyptus charcoal is renowned for fast lighting, high heat, and long burn times, so it’s no wonder that it’s a popular choice of fuel source in traditional Brazillian barbeque. Its mild, oaky flavor is furthermore quite neutral, so it pairs nicely with smoking chips and chunks for further customizing your desired flavor profile.
This is an all-natural lump charcoal including no fillers, nitrates, chemicals, or petroleum products, so rest assured you’ll taste nothing but subtle smoky flavor when cooking with this option. This eucalyptus sourced charcoal furthermore burns exceptionally clean, so there is very little smoke and sparking during cooking, and next to no leftover ash.
Big Green Egg has furthermore produced this product using sustainably grown Brazillian eucalyptus in a manner that includes soil and water preservation efforts without deforestation. Sourced from such an ecologically diverse and biologically important region, you can rest assured the brand is doing its part not to degrade the environment.
Crafted from Acacia from the Namibian bush in Africa, the source wood here is denser than hardwoods such as oak and hickory, so you can expect long burn times, and especially hot temperatures. This makes the Good Charcoal Company a great option for intensive barbeques where you have a lot of meats and veggies to get through and want to ensure your fuel doesn’t quit on you too soon.
Offering a rich and smoky flavor, chances are the flavor profile is a bit different than what you’re used to if you typically cook with traditional hardwoods.
As the name of the brand implies, the Good Charcoal Company works to have a positive impact on the environment. Acacia bushes in Namibia are a threat to open grassland habitats, so the brand has focused on protecting wildlands and mitigating the effects of “bush encroachment”. In summary, this is a great quality brand you can feel good about buying!
Made from sustainable Brazillian Eucalyptus hardwood
Unique, mild smokey flavor is great for grilling and Rodizio style cooking
High density of the source wood results in particularly hot and long burns
Burns clean leaving very little ash behind
All-natural with no chemical additives
Fogo’s Ecualytpus Lump Charcoal is another stellar choice for pitmasters interested in hosting their own authentic Brazillian barbeque. Perfectly suited for Rodizio style cooking (all-you-can-eat, Brazillian style of restaurant service) this is a quality option offered at less than half the price point of Big Green Egg’s comparable eucalyptus-sourced option.
The high density of eucalyptus as a source-wood results in particularly hot and long burns, as well as very little ash clean up after cooking. This is a reliable and easy to maintain charcoal option once lit, but getting it going may require a bit more attention than less dense alternatives.
Offering a unique, mild smokey flavor on its own, you can absolutely add your favorite wood chips or chunks to this charcoal in order to add to its flavor profile. Produced without any chemical additives, Fogo has furthermore ensured this is an all-natural option of lump charcoal.
Highly affordable, clean burning, and sustainably sourced, this is without a doubt the go-to option for barbeque enthusiasts seeking a eucalyptus-based lump charcoal without breaking the bank.
Higher carbon content than lump charcoal results in more consistent, hotter, smokeless infrared heating
Offers an exceptionally long burn time for its size and shape
Very willingly re-used
Great for Yakitori style cooking!
Recommended to utilize a charcoal chimney for optimum lighting
If you’re a diehard barbeque nerd who’s just as passionate about your cooking process as you are about the end result, then you likely already know about Binchotan charcoal, or “white charcoal”. This high-grade charcoal option from The Bincho Grill has been specially crafted to imitate the same properties and burning profile as authentic white oak Kishu binchotan charcoal, at a FAR lower price point.
Traditional binchotan charcoal is produced from regionally-specific, Japenese white oak Kishu by pyrolyzing wood in a kiln at ~240°C for 120 hours and raising the temperature to ~1000°C. The charcoal then undergoes several other processing steps in order to raise the carbon content far higher than standard lump charcoal. The unique source wood and intensive processing result in an astoundingly expensive finished product, but the performance of binchotan charcoal is more or less unrivaled in the barbeque world.
The Bincho Grill has utilized a highly comparable natural hardwood grown in Laos to produce this binchotan-alternative, and the finished product is impressively close to the real deal.
This 22-pound box comes in mixed sized pieces ranging from 2 to 10 inches that are very willingly ignited again for re-use. It’s the heightened carbon content (a whopping 90%) that causes the charcoal to burn even cleaner, hotter, and longer than standard lump charcoals. This binchotan alternative furthermore burns nearly smokeless and essentially sparkless, so it offers particularly consistent heat once properly ignited.
While this option offers exceptional performance once lit, it can be a bit difficult to get going, so it’s recommended to utilize a charcoal chimney for optimum lighting.
If you’ve always wanted to experiment with Yakitori style cooking or simply want to experience the renowned quality of grilling with binchotan charcoal for yourself, this is a wonderful opportunity to familiarize yourself without having to spend the big bucks on difficult to source, authentic white charcoal. No doubt a wonderful gift for yourself or a fellow pitmaster that’s perfect for those special occasion get togethers!
Our top list of the best lump charcoal has pinned down a variety of different options all offering their own unique cooking experience so you can select just the right fuel source for your pitmaster endeavors!
