Lump Charcoal vs Briquets?

Pa_BBQ

I have been messing around with BBQ a long time, used to use some hardwood in my offset, but for several years just been using Kingsford Briquets.

Can someone tell me some pros and cons of Lump, I may need to make the switch.

TNmike

If I remember correctly you just bought a BGE to be delivered in a few days. With the BGE there is no option, use lump charcoal only. Once you use lump you will wonder why you hadn't used it before. Better heat and less ash, no coal dust or fillers, just hardwood charcoal- better taste in your foods. Mike

FearlessGrill

I'll probably miss something here, but a couple of points...

1) Ash: Lump gives off a lot less ash when burning than briquettes do. This is important when cooking on the Egg, as excessive ash buildup can clog the air holes, making it hard to reach high temps, and potentially putting out your fire on a long cook.

2) Flavor: Lump charcoal is just hardwood. Briquettes include binding agents which can impart 'chemically' flavors to food cooked over them.

3) Reusable: Briquettes completely burn down during use, so you need to reload after each cook. Leftover lump can be reused, so it is more economical.

4) Speed: I haven't used briquettes in years but my memory of them is that they took quite some time to light and be ready to use. Lump is ready to cook on much faster, in my experience.

There are probably more reasons, but I think that hits the major ones. Hope this answers your question.

-John

Mike in Abita

Some reading for you.

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm#typecharcoal and http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm

Pa_BBQ

Thanks, great reading and a lot of information.

BullyC

Hi Pa
everything the other people said about Lump,
briquettes is true, better flavor, longer burn time,
, having said that, with all due respect to the gentleman who said you can not use briquettes
in a egg is wrong. I loaded up my weber chimney
last week with kingsford briquettes to do a
DIRECT cook and You can cook direct with briquettes,
the temp did hold for over a hour at over 350-375
Long enough to do a Direct cook of say chicken etc.
The flavor was NONE, so if you like No hardwood
flavor at all then use briquettes, but like others said,
you have to clean out every time, If want very little
hardwood flavor then use cowboy lump charcoal, it
has very little flavor if thats what you like.
You will have to experiment with both to see for
yourself, good luck BullyC