Best Lump Charcoals in 2023 (Top 6 Suggestions By Experts)

1 - Jealous Devil Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal

This Jealous Devil is a 100% natural hardwood lump charcoal free of chemicals, fillers, and scrap wood.

We were eager to try it after reading many positive reviews, so we ordered a bag. It was filled with large- to medium-sized pieces of charcoal and contained little to no dust.

That’s how we knew we were dealing with premium charcoal right off the bat.

That may be why it is also extremely easy to light and heats up quickly. It burns hot, but you can still use it for slow cooking because of its long burn-time.

According to the manufacturers, this lump coal can burn for 4+ hours on open grills and 20+ hours in smokers. Most reviewers confirm these claims.

Many have also pointed out that it leaves little to no ash, making the charcoal grill clean-up easier.

The only downside is that this brand is on the pricey side. But the general verdict is that the value justifies the price.

That’s how we knew we were dealing with premium charcoal right off the bat.

That may be why it is also extremely easy to light and heats up quickly. It burns hot, but you can still use it for slow cooking because of its long burn-time.

According to the manufacturers, this lump coal can burn for 4+ hours on open grills and 20+ hours in smokers. Most reviewers confirm these claims.

Many have also pointed out that it leaves little to no ash, making the charcoal grill clean-up easier.

The only downside is that this brand is on the pricey side. But the general verdict is that the value justifies the price.

2 - Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal

Royal Oak natural hardwood lump charcoal is made from both light and dark wood: renewable oak, maple, walnut, and hickory hardwood. It doesn’t contain chemicals or additives.

Many meat-lovers praise this charcoal for its smoky flavor and how well it burns. We also found it easy to light and appreciated that there were virtually no sparks.

After you light it, you’ll have to wait about 15 minutes for the charcoal to reach grilling temperature.

But beware, because this charcoal may burn faster than what you’re used to.

The only downside to this lump coal is the inconsistency in quality. Some reviewers were happy with what they received, but some reported finding rocks, nails, and even scrap metal mixed with charcoal in the bags.

Still, it is more affordable than most charcoal brands, so you’ll still be getting value for your money.

3 - Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal

Most foodies love Cowboy lump charcoal for two reasons: its flavorful smoke and negligible ash production.

Unlike many other charcoal options, Cowboy adds a fantastic mild flavor to your meals without making too much mess.

You can use Cowboy lump charcoal in ceramic-style charcoal grills, like the Big Green Egg, barrel grills, and kettle barbecues. So, you could say that this is one of the more versatile charcoals on the market.

It’s on the pricey side, but you do get high-quality charcoal for that price. Our bag was mainly filled with medium-sized chunks and contained very little dust.

The only downside is that this charcoal may burn too hot and too fast for some meals. Some reviewers mention they had trouble maintaining medium temperature, which isn’t ideal for slow cooking.

4 - Rockwood All-Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal

Rockwood all-natural hardwood charcoal is an excellent option for those that care about sustainability.

For starters, it’s made exclusively from hardwood left from timber milling — namely Missouri oak, hickory, maple, and pecan. On top of that, the bag it comes in is 100% recyclable and landfill-safe.

The natural charcoal itself has a rich aroma and produces a smoky flavor. We liked that it burns hot and clean, leaving you with only small flakes of ash here and there.
Although Rockwood suits any charcoal grill, it works especially well with ceramic-style grills, like the Big Green Egg.

The only problem is the inconsistency in quality. Many reviewers reported receiving tiny pieces of charcoal in their bags, while some were delighted with their purchase.

Considering that Rockwood is one of the pricier charcoal brands, such differences in quality are disappointing.

5 - Fogo Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal

Fogo Super Premium is ideal for those who like to cook slow and long. Like Rockwood, Fogo is also more suitable for ceramic-style grills, such as the Big Green Egg.

The company promises that every bag contains XL pieces, and reviewers largely confirm that to be true.

Many of them report finding huge chunks of charcoal in their bags, which made their cooking much more enjoyable.

If you want our take, there are two things we particularly like about Fogo.

Firstly, it has a distinct, sweet flavor that you rarely get with other lump charcoals. Secondly, lighting this charcoal is a breeze even if you don’t use lighter fluid.

The only downside is that the chunks may actually be too large and difficult to place. So, you may have to waste time breaking them into smaller pieces, or you may not even be able to use them with smaller appliances.

6 - Kamado Joe Big Block Lump Charcoal

This 100% natural lump charcoal is made explicitly for Kamado grills. But it works well with other ceramic-style grills, too.

Most reviewers report getting mainly good-sized chunks and finding little to no crumbs and debris. That’s the first sign of a high-quality product.

We’ve further tested the quality in my backyard. The charcoal didn’t pop or crackle while being lit, which was yet another positive sign.

Another pro is that Kamado Joe is also long-burning lump charcoal. Its steady burn can last up to 18 hours, which is perfect for low and slow cooking.

The only thing that could improve is the amount of ash left after using this charcoal. Charcoal ash is bad for the environment and your health, so we’d prefer to see less of it [1].