There Are Two Types to Chooses From When It Comes to Charcoal: Lump or Briquettes

There Are Two Types to Chooses From When It Comes to Charcoal: Lump or Briquettes

There Are Two Types to Chooses From When It Comes to Charcoal: Lump or Briquettes

When it comes to charcoal, there are two main types: Lump and Briquettes.Though both types of charcoal have their distinct features, there are also subtle differences that all barbeque enthusiasts should know. 

In this guide, we compare these two charcoals and when is the best time to use one or the other. So, to learn which one is the best for your next BBQ session, keep on reading! 

Lump Charcoal Vs Briquettes

Lump Charcoal Vs Briquettes

Lump charcoal differs from briquettes primarily in their raw materials. While lump charcoal is 100% hardwood and has no additive, briquettes are made from compressed sawdust that often contains fillers and binders to hold their uniform shape. For most people, briquettes are the better choice as they’re cheaper, much easier to light, and provide more even heating.

For a more detailed comparison between these two charcoals, and which one might be best for you, let’s find out below!

What’s Better Lump Charcoal Or Briquettes?

What’s Better Lump Charcoal Or Briquettes?

Lump charcoal and briquettes have their distinct features, but depending on the situation one is better than the other. For instance, lump charcoal is better than briquettes for high heat searing and grilling, where you want to add smoky flavor. But if you’re into low and slow cooking, then briquettes are the best choice.

Here’s a quick comparison of lump charcoal vs. briquettes:

LUMP CHARCOALCHARCOAL BRIQUETTES
Do not contain any additive (100% pure)It contains additives and fillers
It may reach a hotter temperatureIt has a steady temperature
It burns fasterIt burns longer
Less ash productionHigher ash production
Irregular pieces of woodUniform size
Easier to lightNeeds charcoal lighting fluid to light up
More expensiveCheaper

Manufacturing Process: Lump Charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal is made by burning the wood slowly without oxygen until the sap, moisture, and natural chemicals have dissipated. 

Additionally, it uses hardwood pieces compressed together without using any binders, giving natural and pure charcoal.

On the other hand, briquettes are composed of leftover wood and sawdust that are burned slowly without much oxygen to remove sap and moisture. 

In addition, briquettes are comprised of additives that bind the charcoal together, giving it a uniform shape. In most cases, the additives used here are often food-safe, such as starch and molasses.

Burning Time and Temperature: Lump Charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal is designed to burn hot and fast for a short period, usually, an hour, while reaching a temperature of 760°C (approximately 1400°F). Meanwhile, briquettes are made to burn for hours, and they are perfect for low and slow cooking.

They have a steady temperature of around 426 to 538°C (800 to 1000°F), which means you don’t have to monitor it to add more charcoal because it slowly burns.

Depending on what you’re cooking, the burning temperature of lump charcoal and briquettes could be an advantage or something you have to work for.

Ash Production: Lump Charcoal vs. Briquettes

Ash Production: Lump Charcoal vs. Briquettes

Both lump charcoal and briquettes produce ash when burned; however, there is a slight difference between them. Lump charcoal produces a less amount of ash than briquettes because it does not contain any fillers or additives.

Ease of lighting

In general, briquettes are more manageable to light than lump charcoal because of the additive component. In fact, most lump charcoal requires lighting fluid to light up. However, some grillers claim that briquette crystals are easier to light up than lump charcoal. They are made with additives, which helps them get started quickly.

Longevity: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal burns faster, so you have to add more very often for a continuous burn. It can get expensive because you need to buy many bags of lump coal if you are planning for all-day grilling.

On the other hand, briquettes burn longer and more steadily. They are perfect for your grilling needs on most occasions without monitoring if you need to add more. They are suitable for afternoon session grilling because they produce a steady temperature for a more extended period.

Price: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal is more expensive than briquettes, and several factors can contribute to its higher cost. For instance, lump charcoal is labor-intensive to produce, has expensive raw materials, and has limited availability.

Briquettes are like the fast food of charcoal because they are cheap and can be commonly found in petrol stations and supermarkets.

Appearance: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Appearance: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal is made from irregular pieces of wood, so it produces inconsistent fire. On the other hand, briquettes have additives to hold the materials together to achieve a uniform shape, usually roundish-square. Because of this, they are easier to stack and often provide much more even heating.

Flavour: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal produces a better flavor, especially if made from a specific hardwood, such as oak, hickory, maple, and pecan. The wood flavor from briquettes can be less distinctive, and some cheaper variants may impart a solid chemical aroma.

Performance: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump charcoal burns hot and fast, making it ideal for direct grilling and searing. It’s also responsive to oxygen, making it easier to control the fire’s temperature if your grill comes with adjustable air vents.

Meanwhile, briquettes burn consistently while maintaining a steady temperature over a more extended period, making them ideal for the snake method and other smoking methods. 

Though both types of charcoal perform well on their own, if you want to impress your guests, use lump charcoal in your grilling adventures because it’s the most preferred by chefs.

Pros and cons: Lump charcoal vs. Briquettes

Lump Charcoal Pros:

  • It lights quickly
  • It burns hotter
  • It can add a smoky flavor
  • Has little ash production
  • Made from all-natural materials

Lump Charcoal Cons:

  • It is more expensive than briquettes
  • It has a limited supply
  • It produces inconsistent temperature

Briquette Pros:

  • It produces steady and consistent temperature over long periods
  • It burns longer
  • It is more affordable
  • It is commonly found everywhere

Briquette Cons:

  • Cheaper variants may impart a chemical smell and taste because of additives
  • It produces more ash

Overall Winner

Lump charcoal is better than briquettes in cooking, grilling, or barbecuing. It is highly recommended for smokers because it produces cleaner smoke and works more efficiently than briquette charcoals.

However, briquettes are easier to find anywhere, and they produce a longer and steady burn, making them perfect for anyone that likes to grill regularly.

Conclusion

When comparing lump charcoal vs. briquettes, consider all the factors involved. They are both popular options for grilling and smoking Each of them has its unique characteristics. For instance, briquettes tend to last longer and have a steadier temperature, while lump charcoal burns faster and hotter and imparts a smokier flavor to food.

Ultimately, the best choice of charcoal will depend on your needs and preferences. If you have already tried grilling with both lump charcoal and briquettes, what are your thoughts?

In this Article

Man behind a Z Grills Pellet Smoker

Join the Z Grill Family

Whether you own a Z Grill or not Join over 2,000+ Aussies in our Facebook Group where we share our favourite recipes and coolest tips!
19422

Want a

I’m Mick, the owner of the Z Grills Australia. Leave me your number and I'll give you a call to look after you!

Good Deal?

We'll call you back

By clicking submit you agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Msg & data rates may apply. 

Delivery FAQ

1. Why do the Click & Collect options cost money and have a transit time?

We partner with multiple freight companies to use their depots as a pickup points. This means in most cases, we’ll need to dispatch your order out from one of our three warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. This option often costs significantly less than home deliveries especially for non-metro areas.

2. Where exactly is your Click & Collect location?

You will receive the exact pick up address once your order is ready for pick up. As part of our agreement with our partnering freight companies, we are not to share the exact pickup location prior to that.

3. Will the grill fit my car?

Our grills will fit in most hatchback vehicles and UTEs, however it may struggle to fit in a standard sedan. If you want to be sure, you can check out the dimensions of the boxes on our packing and freight page.

4. Why are some Click & Collect options cheaper?

The prices of the Click & Collect options vary from location to location. We do our best to get you the lowest freight price by comparing rates from multiple carriers.

5. When will I receive my order?

We usually dispatch your order the following business day after receiving it. It will then take roughly takes 1-3 days for metro orders and 3-7 days for regional orders.