When it comes to firing up your Green Egg grill, you will need fuel that works well without producing too much ash. The two main choices are briquettes and lump charcoal. Briquettes made of wood dust, shards of wood, and some filter items to allow air to flow through, but these produce a lot of ash.
While briquettes are the much sought-after solution, several grilling enthusiasts prefer lump charcoal that is made by burning hardwood pieces in an airtight environment to remove impurities and moisture. The result is pure charcoal that responds really well to oxygen and makes controlled heating much easier.
So, if you are in the market looking for the best charcoal for the Kamado grill, you will need to choose between these two. To make it easier, we have studied the Internet and shortlisted some of the best products based on their performance and customer reviews.
Read on to find the complete review of the brands handpicked by our team after careful analysis and comparison. If you don’t have the time to read until the end, we recommend that you go with our editor’s pick, Jealous Devil Hardwood Lump Charcoal (shop now), for its pure flavor, superior burn, and restaurant-like quality.
| Product Names | Weight | |
| #1. Jealous Devil All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal | 33.6 pounds | See Price |
| #2. Fogo FHWC35LB 35-Pound Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal Bag | 35 pounds | See Price |
| #3. B&B Oak Lump Charcoal | 20 pounds | See Price |
| #4. Kamado Joe KJ-Char Big Block XL Lump Charcoal | 20 pounds | See Price |
#1. Jealous Devil All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal (see Amazon) is made from the densest and handpicked all-natural South American hardwood. It comes carefully packaged in an industry-proof waterproof and re-sealable bag with a zip closure and carry handle for easy transportation.
We love the fact that this lump charcoal comes from 100% natural hardwood and without the use of any scrap material, chemicals, or fillers in the process. This restaurant-quality charcoal does not cause any sparking when it burns, making it ideal for any grill or smoker.
This lump charcoal is capable of achieving hotter maximum temperatures over 1170°F and provides twice the cooking power of traditional wood without producing a lot of ash. It comes with a subtle aroma that can enhance the flavor profiles without overpowering the taste of meat or veggies.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 33.6 pounds
- 100% natural
- Traditionally made
- South American hardwood
- No fillers or chemicals
User/Customer reviews
Michelin-starred chefs and award-winning restaurants around the world swear by Jealous Devil lump charcoal, making it a much sought-after product by BBQ aficionados. Users have said that it burns twice as hot and thrice as long as the traditional wood. However, some do not like the smell of the charcoal and call it chemical-like.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to take any chances with your choice and want to order only what the professionals use, then we recommend Jealous Devil All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal. It is made from high-quality hardwood material and burns really well with a good amount of smoke that has a neutral flavor without becoming overbearing. Overall, this is a great buy.
#2. Fogo FHWC35LB 35-Pound Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal Bag
The next product on our list is the Fogo FHWC35LB all-natural and premium quality lump charcoal (learn more). These comprise of large chunks of charcoal hand-selected and made from ultra-dense Central American Hardwood to deliver the finest performance.
Fogo is a Portuguese word for fire, and true to its name Fogo charcoal lights up quickly and becomes ready to grill food in only 15 minutes. It burns to a high temperature to sear meat perfectly and locks in the flavors to give you a nice authentic taste. It also burns much longer to last longer than other charcoal brands.
Fogo FHWC35LB charcoal is completely natural and used by a large number of restaurants around the world to prepare lip-smacking delights. We are also impressed to have discovered that this brand develops lump charcoal sustainably in cooperation with the government and environmental organizations to ensure that it is made only from trees that are marked for removal for continued reforestation.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 35 pounds
- Hand-selected Large Chunks
- Hardwood Lump Charcoal
- Delicious Smoked Flavor
- Lights quickly and lasts longer
- Restaurant quality
User/Customer reviews
Most users claim that this a good quality lump charcoal that’s perfect for the job as they come in large lumps capable of giving you consistent, low temp burns. Some people have also mentioned that as it can get really hot, it’s perfect for grilling meat, fish, and vegetables. A few customers have warned that it sometimes takes longer to light up and achieve the highest temperature.
Conclusion
If you are looking for some reasonably priced charcoal to light up your grill then the Fogo FHWC35LB lump charcoal (shop now) is a good fit. It not only comes at an attractive price but also lasts longer than other products on the market. So, if you grill pretty often and don’t want to spend too much on fuel then this is a nice option that gives you great value for money.
#3. B&B Oak Lump Charcoal
If you are looking for good quality lump charcoal that burns cleaner, longer, and hotter than most, then check out B&B’s Oak Lump Charcoal. This is 100% natural Texas-style charcoal, often considered the expert’s choice for outdoor cooking and barbequing.
In the last 50 years, B&B Oak Lump Charcoal has gained immense popularity as a favorite among chefs across the nation. It contains no extra additives or fillers, and it is also environmentally friendly.
The charcoal bag is full of nicely sized coals that burn hot and get to high temperatures quickly. They also help in maintaining a high temperature for an extended period of time for a perfect pizza night.
Product features and specifications
- Weighs 20 pounds
- Texas-style
- 100% natural
- No additives or fillers
- Environmentally friendly
Users/Customer reviews
Those who have used this lump charcoal are happy with the size and performance of the product, which is better than other average products in the market. Users have also mentioned that it helps in giving a rich flavor to the food without overpowering the taste in any way. A few customers have warned that they have found some rocks in the bag, too.
Conclusion
B&B Oak Lump Charcoal (learn more) is some of the best lump charcoal with less dust and larger chunks of charcoal. Although the charcoal has a slightly stronger flavor, it doesn’t overpower the aroma or taste of the food. Overall, we think that this product offers you a nice price to performance ratio.
#4. Kamado Joe KJ-Char Big Block XL Lump Charcoal
KJ-Char lump charcoal (see Amazon) is an Argentinian product made exclusively for the Kamado Joe grill. It comprises of 100% genuine hardwood charcoal that burns much longer and hotter than any other option available on the market. Unlike some brands that give you charcoal made from wood scraps, this product offers an original wood-fire flavor.
We were impressed to discover that this lump charcoal can burn for up to 18 hours without interruption, and can be reused three times. It is prepared from a blend of hardwood such as Guayaibi, Mistal, Guayacan, and White Quebracho.
The bag comprises a perfect mix of small and large pieces that let you cook your food low and slow for a long time. This ensures that the meat cooks well to the core and emits an authentic aroma without losing a lot of moisture.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 14 x 4 x 30 inches
- Weighs 20 pounds
- 100% Natural Lump Charcoal
- Robust wood-fire flavor
- Can burn up to 18 hours
- Made from hardwood blends
User/Customer reviews
Those who have used this lump charcoal to cook food have said that the bag has a good mixture of properly sized charcoals, but there are not many large chunks. Some people have said that the lump charcoal is good quality and burned low and slow for up to 14 hours with some unburnt chunks still remaining. A few customers have warned that there was too much dust in the bag and the price is rather expensive.
Conclusion
Kamado Joe’s KJ-Char Big Block XL Lump Charcoal (see Amazon) lets you cook your favorite grilled food outdoors at an adequate temperature. If you are looking for all-natural fuel that lasts for a while and offers a good wood-fired flavor to food without overwhelming the taste then this is a good option.
Related Questions
What is the difference between charcoal and lump charcoal?
Charcoal is formed when you burn wood in an environment without any oxygen, and lump charcoal is a by-product of that. As lumps are found in the most natural form, it’s no wonder that food purists prefer this more.
Which is better – lump charcoal or briquettes?
Given the fact that lump charcoal burns for a longer period of time, you need less of it to cook your food. They typically burn much cleaner than briquettes and also result in considerably lower amounts of ash. They also burn much hotter but users can control the temperature by adjusting the air vents.
See Also:
Charcoal Grill Vs Gas Grill : Pros And Cons
7 Best Gas Charcoal Smoker Grill Combo
How to Get Charcoal Flavor on an Electric Grill?
Weber Sear Station vs. Infrared Burner (Here Are the Difference)
