Lump charcoal vs Briquettes: Which is the best?

Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes: Which is The Best?

The controversy between lump charcoal vs briquettes has been a subject of discussion for so long and still continues to be. Even as you purpose to quench your curiosity with our opinion, we believe you have your own inclination. Whether you are for the lump charcoal or briquettes, you are right as long as your grounds are valid and justifiable.

Our intention is to eliminate uncertainties by increasing awareness and full understanding of the differences that exist between the two necessities. In our final verdict, we have come up with our choice, also based on solid and valid grounds.

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Join us to get through one after another. At the end, it will be easier to make out why we have arrived at a conclusion.

What are the Best Charcoal Briquettes?

The best charcoal briquettes for smoking are a type of compressed charcoal fuel obtained through manufacture of wood by-products. Briquettes therefore consist of bound-together pulverized charcoal with a number of filters such as cornstarch. 

They are made through compression and addition of additives. These additives enhance easier lighting and burning when used as fuel thus they burn consistently.

Their steady and reliable burning is also as a result of their composition, standardized size and the convenient shape. Briquettes are available in batches. A single batch comprising of 45 briquettes burns consistently for 1 hour.

When shopping for the best briquette charcoal, we recommend choosing those made of solid hardwood. These usually burn cleaner and are hotter. Their highest heat production can go up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Meat thermometer is perfect to control meat temperature.

Want to know how to calibrate smoker thermometer? Read here.

We don’t recommend using briquettes impregnated with lighter fluid because the smell is unfriendly and may taste in your food.

Pros and Cons of Charcoal Briquette

Pros:

  • Burns longer than lump charcoal.
  • They are easier to maintain consistent temperature.
  • They are cheaper compared to lump charcoal.
  • Consistent heat production.

Cons:

  • Briquettes take longer to light.
  • They may contain some chemical smell.
  • Produces larger volumes of ash.
  • Heat produced is lower compared to the lump charcoal heat.

What is the Best Lump Charcoal for Smoking?

Best lump charcoal for smoking is lump charcoal refer to pieces of charcoal prepared through burning of wood in the absence of charcoal. They have no additives. Although their burning is usually hotter, temperature produced is variable and not as consistent as briquettes. 

However, with a little experience in managing the process of cooking, there isn’t a reason you should fail to obtain great results.

The basic difference between lump charcoal vs briquettes is that lump charcoal burns up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. Briquettes are a little bit limited in terms of heat production as seen above.

Likewise, these high levels of temperature can be an advantage or a disadvantage. If your food requires lower temperatures, it requires utmost keenness to regulate the temperature.

Pros and Cons of Best Lump Charcoal for Grilling

Pros:

  • Burn hotter and cleaner compared to briquettes.
  • Free from chemicals and unpleasant odor.
  • Less ash production compared to briquettes.
  • It is natural, thus more preferred by majority.

Cons:

  • Heat production is not as consistent as briquettes.
  • A bit demanding when it comes to temperature adjustment.
  • More expensive.Burns faster.
  • Most users find lump pieces too small to use.

Final Verdict: What We Prefer Between Briquettes and Lump Charcoal

Between briquettes and lump charcoal, the final verdict lies with you. However, as experienced users who have tested the two types of fuel, we definitely have our choice. We always consider your basic needs our priority in making judgments like these. Your health is definitely your priority and you wouldn’t certainly like to destroy yourself.

Additionally, there is a transformation in the lifestyles of people all over, accompanied by migration from artificial to natural. Between the two types of fuel, lump charcoal is off-course, more natural than briquettes.

Disadvantages of the best lump charcoal for grilling are obviously manageable when you engage some degree of expertise. In this regard, maintaining lower temperature even if lump charcoal burns extremely hotter is not a big deal. For these reasons, we conclude that lump charcoal is generally better than briquettes.

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Theresa Lori
 

Hi, I'm Theresa. My passion for grilling delicacy gradually built during the time I was living with my parents. My family members especially my mother was a great fan of grilled dishes to and from the love of food. I started preparing smoked food with my mom. This bonding helped me to know more and more about to smoke, grill what always I share on SmokeGears.com. So, in two words you can call me a BBQ lover.

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