Best Charcoals In 2022

How We Chose Our Selection Оf Charcoal

Reviews – We want you to enjoy every barbecue this summer so it’s important to us that you get the best charcoal there is. That’s why these reviews are so important. We checked the reviews on all the charcoal brands in this selection to see how well they rated with people who actually used them. These reviews make sure the charcoal is all natural, burns clean and doesn’t take hours to burn before you can start cooking.

Price – It’s hard to justify spending a small fortune on something you are essentially going to burn so we’ve ensured the prices of charcoal featured in our selection are worth every penny in terms of value and the flavor they give to your food. You’ll definitely find them economical because they do burn long and some can be used for several barbecues. Depending on what you want to get out of your bag of charcoal, you’re sure to find one in our selection that will satisfy your budget and your taste buds.

Features To Look For In Charcoals

Source – Not all woods are the same and some are simply better than others when it comes to producing charcoal. Fast burning woods are not really suitable for charcoal as they tend to burn out too quickly meaning you may not have enough cooking time to complete your grilling or smoking.

Ideally, the best woods to use are hardwoods. Hardwood is more dense meaning it will burn at an even temperature for a considerable amount of time. That makes it the perfect type of wood for charcoal. The other consideration when you are looking at the source of your charcoal is the species of tree it came from. Oak is one of the most used types of wood when it comes to flavoring food and beverages which is why it is so popular for making barrels to store wines and spirits.

The final consideration when it comes to the source of the charcoal you want to use is sustainability of the wood being used. It takes a considerable amount of wood to produce a bag of charcoal and the process simply involves a slow burn to remove the oxygen and hydrogen in the wood and leave the carbon. If you want to be an ethical barbecue enthusiast, look for charcoal that has been sourced from sustainable materials.

Burn Length – There can be nothing more frustrating than having your barbecue coals start to cool down on you halfway through your pile of steaks and chops. You want your charcoal to have a burn length that will last for as long as you have food to cook. Look for charcoal that has a longer burning time. You will normally find that lump charcoal will last and burn longer and it will also give you a more even cooking temperature during your barbecue.

Quantity – Charcoal comes in a variety of different sized bags from a few pounds to 20 or 40 pounds. Others come in multiple packs so you only need to open as much charcoal as you intend to use. If you’re a frequent barbecue or you’re planning on cooking for a large group of people, then the obvious course of action is to buy larger bags of charcoal. The opposite applies for small groups or if you only barbecue food a couple of times a year. Charcoal will not go bad and technically, the only way to get rid of it is to burn it. However, if charcoal is left exposed to sun, wind or rain it can lose its burning properties. This will make it less effective when it comes time to using it for cooking. Only buy what you need and definitely only open a bag of charcoal when you need it.

Types Оf Charcoal

Briquettes – These will burn quite steadily and evenly at a relatively high heat. Briquettes are usually made from scraps of wood, sawdust and charcoal powders. They may be combined with fuel of some description which is why they emit an acrid smell when you first light them. For this reason, briquettes must be burnt down before you can start cooking over them or your food will taste chemically. When you need heat fast and can get your cooking done within about an hour, briquettes may be the way to go.

Lump – This type of charcoal is often referred to as the original charcoal and it is made by slow burning large logs in a kiln or charcoal cave. Sometimes, this process is also done underground. Lump charcoal is completely natural so you won’t get that acrid, petrol-type smell when it is lit.  You can also re-use this natural charcoal by lighting it again and combining it with fresh charcoal if needed. It also lasts considerably longer than briquettes because it is made from whole wood and not wood scraps. It is generally 100% natural and burns clean and for longer periods of time.

Charcoal FAQ

Q: How do you make charcoal burn hotter?

A: To start with, you need good quality charcoal but to keep it burning hotter, all you need to do is adjust the airflow. This, of course, will depend on how you are grilling. If you are using a stand up grill, most of these have adjustable air vents at the base so you can open them up to increase airflow. The increased airflow will make the charcoal burn hotter.

If you’re grilling over a campfire pit, you’ve most likely built the pit using stones. Simply ensure there are air spaces at the base of your stone construction and you’ll have a great flow of air to keep your charcoal burning hot and strong.

Another way to keep charcoal burning hotter is evenly distribute the burning coals under your grill. For example, you can pile up the coals thicker at one end for searing meat, or for food you want cooked fast. Then you can also arrange a thinner layer for food you’d like to cooler at a lower, slower temperature. The more charcoal you have in a pile, the hotter it will burn.

Q: What charcoal is best for smoking?

A: Smoking food gives it an incredible depth of flavor. But the perfect flavor means you simply must use good quality charcoal. Smoking involves cooking for quite a few hours so it’s important to get the temperature right. One thing you should avoid when smoking food is charcoal that has had chemicals or fuel added to it. Briquettes may not be suitable for smoking because they burn out fast and many briquettes have been soaked in fuel so that they will light up faster. However, if you do decide to use briquettes to smoke your food, check the label to make sure they do not contain fuel or other chemicals.

Lump Charcoal is probably a safer bet for smoking. Firstly, lump charcoal is made from larger chunks or logs of wood and they are all natural, making them a safer choice. The larger chunks also allow you to get a long lasting, more even temperature going which is perfect for smoking. The other benefit of using lump charcoal is that you can just add a few more pieces to the fire if you find the temperature is dropping or your fire is starting to go out.

Q: What is the difference between coal and charcoal?

A: There are several differences between coal and charcoal. Coal is a naturally occurring fossil fuel source that can take millions of years to form. It is also a mineral that forms from the decaying carcasses of animals and plants. Charcoal, on the other hand, is made by slowly burning large logs or trees to remove the oxygen and hydrogen in them.

Coal is generally used as a source of fuel and is the most popular uses are for generating electricity and in many manufacturing processes. Charcoal is mainly used for cooking, although in recent years, activated charcoal has also become popular as a supplement and in things like toothpaste and facial masks. It is also widely used in purification systems such as water filtration.

Nothing can destroy a barbecue faster than using poor quality charcoal so team up those prime cuts of meat with the best quality charcoal you can find. Take the time to carefully select and prepare your food and have it all ready beside you at the grill. Grilling and smoking is hard work, so you’re sure to work up a thirst. Make sure you stay hydrated with your favorite cold beer or whatever else you like to drink.

One thing to remember is that when barbecuing or smoking with charcoal, caution is needed. You are using an open flame so make sure little people stay away from harm. Be cautious on windy days so that stray sparks don’t cause problems and make sure you put your fire out when you’re done.

Enjoy the barbecue season and keep safe as well.