For most people, the best lump charcoal is Jealous Devil Chunx XL. It is made from dense hardwood, comes in large pieces, and handles both long, low smokes and hot searing. If you cook on a kamado or a large grill, FOGO Super Premium is a close second.
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This guide covers six of the best lump charcoal bags, how lump compares with briquettes, which bag suits which cooker, and how to light and store it. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.
Table of Contents
Our picks at a glance
| Charcoal | Wood | Bag size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jealous Devil Chunx XL | Quebracho blanco | 35 lb | Best overall |
| FOGO Super Premium | Central American hardwoods | 35 lb | Kamado grills |
| Rockwood Natural Lump | Oak, hickory, cherry | Two 20 lb bags | Hardwood blend |
| B&B Oak Lump | Oak | 10 lb | All-oak flavor |
| Masterbuilt Premium Hardwood Lump | Hardwood blend | 16 lb | Gravity-fed smokers |
| Mr. Bar-B-Q Hardwood Lump | Hardwood blend | 8 lb | Small bag to try |
How we picked the best lump charcoal
We chose well-known brands that are easy to buy and have a long track record of strong owner feedback. For each bag, we looked at the wood the maker uses, the piece size, the bag size, and what the maker says about burn time and ash. We didn't burn these bags side by side, so we rely on what the makers say and what is widely known about each wood type.
1. Jealous Devil Chunx XL: Best overall
Jealous Devil makes Chunx XL from quebracho blanco, a very dense South American hardwood. Dense wood turns into dense charcoal, and dense charcoal lasts longer than lighter lump. Jealous Devil says it can reach over 1,100°F for searing and burn for 20 hours or more in a closed, low-oxygen cooker such as a kamado.
The pieces are large, so they suit kamados, kettles, and offset fireboxes. The bag is resealable, which helps keep the charcoal dry between cooks. Dense lump like this can take a few extra minutes to light all the way through, so give the chimney a little more time.
- Wood: quebracho blanco
- Bag size: 35 lb
- Good for: long smokes, kamados, and searing
- Keep in mind: the biggest pieces may need breaking up for a small grill
2. FOGO Super Premium: Best for kamado grills
FOGO makes its Super Premium lump from dense Central American hardwoods. FOGO says about 80 percent of the bag is large pieces 4 inches or longer. Large pieces leave room for air to move between them, helping a kamado or big kettle hold a steady temperature.
FOGO says this charcoal lights quickly and is ready to cook on in about 15 minutes. If you want smaller pieces for a small grill, FOGO also sells a medium-size version.
- Wood: Central American hardwoods
- Bag size: 35 lb
- Good for: kamados, large kettles, and long cooks
- Keep in mind: large pieces are less suited to small portable grills
3. Rockwood Natural Lump: Best hardwood blend
Rockwood makes its lump from a mix of oak, hickory, and cherry, using Missouri hardwoods. That mix delivers classic barbecue flavor on its own, without the heavy smoke you get from adding lots of wood chunks.
Rockwood says it burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes and leaves little ash. This listing is two 20-pound bags, so it is a good fit if you cook often and want to stock up.
- Wood: oak, hickory, and cherry
- Bag size: two 20 lb bags
- Good for: everyday grilling and smoking
- Keep in mind: you need a dry spot to store two bags
4. B&B Oak Lump: Best all-oak lump
B&B makes this lump from oak only. Oak is the classic wood for beef in Texas barbecue, and oak lump gives a steady, medium smoke flavor that works with almost any meat.
Because it is a single wood, it is a good way to learn what oak tastes like before you try blends. The 10-pound bag is also a sensible size if you want to try lump without buying a large bag.
- Wood: oak
- Bag size: 10 lb
- Good for: beef, brisket, and everyday cooks
- Keep in mind: a 10 lb bag goes quickly on long smokes
5. Masterbuilt Premium Hardwood Lump: Best for gravity-fed smokers
Masterbuilt makes this lump for its Gravity Series grills and smokers, but it works in any charcoal cooker. A gravity-fed smoker feeds charcoal down from a hopper as it burns, and Masterbuilt says this bag is made for that kind of cooker.
Masterbuilt describes it as a hardwood blend fired in artisan-style kilns, designed for all temperature ranges and food types. If you own a Gravity Series smoker, it is the simplest choice.
- Wood: hardwood blend
- Bag size: 16 lb
- Good for: gravity-fed smokers and any charcoal grill
- Keep in mind: Masterbuilt does not list which woods are in the blend
6. Mr. Bar-B-Q Hardwood Lump: Best small bag to try
Mr. Bar-B-Q sells its all-natural hardwood lump in an 8-pound bag. That is enough for a few grilling sessions, so it is an easy way to try lump charcoal before you buy a 35-pound bag.
The maker says it leaves little ash and burns hotter than briquettes. A small bag is also handy for camping or a portable grill.
- Wood: hardwood blend
- Bag size: 8 lb
- Good for: first-time lump users, small and portable grills
- Keep in mind: a small bag will not last through a long smoke
Lump charcoal vs briquettes
Lump charcoal is wood burned with very little oxygen until only charcoal remains. Briquettes are made from charcoal dust and wood scraps pressed into even shapes with a binder, often starch. Both work well, but they behave differently, so even the best lump charcoal is not the right choice for every cook.
| Lump charcoal | Briquettes | |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | Lights faster | Lights slower |
| Top heat | Hotter | Lower |
| Burn | Burns faster on an open grill | Steady and even |
| Ash | Less ash | More ash |
| Piece size | Uneven | The same size |
| Best for | Searing, kamados and natural flavor | Long, steady cooks in kettles and smokers |
Many people use both: briquettes for a steady base and lump on top for heat and flavor. If you want a briquette, Kingsford Original is widely sold and easy to find.
Briquette pick: Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes
Even, pressed briquettes that give steady heat for long cooks in kettles and smokers. Bag size: 16 lb.
What to look for in lump charcoal
- Wood type. Dense woods such as quebracho and oak make charcoal that lasts longer. Softer woods light faster but burn out sooner.
- Piece size. Large pieces suit kamados and long cooks. Medium pieces suit kettles. Small pieces and dust light fast but burn quickly.
- Nothing added. Look for 100 percent hardwood with no lighter fluid or fillers in the bag.
- Bag size. Buy a small bag to try a brand, then a large bag once you know you like it.
- A bag that closes. Charcoal soaks up moisture, and damp charcoal is hard to light.
Which lump charcoal for which cooker
| Cooker | Good pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kamado grill | FOGO Super Premium or Jealous Devil | Large, dense pieces for long, steady cooks |
| Kettle grill | Rockwood | An oak, hickory and cherry blend for searing and short smokes |
| Offset smoker firebox | Jealous Devil | Dense coals make a long-lasting base under wood splits |
| Gravity-fed smoker | Masterbuilt | Made for Gravity Series hoppers |
| Drum or other charcoal smoker | B&B Oak | Steady heat with a clean oak flavor |
| Portable grill | Mr. Bar-B-Q | A small bag that is easy to carry |
The best lump charcoal for you depends on your cooker. If you are still choosing one, see our guides to the best charcoal smokers and the best offset smokers.
How to light lump charcoal
A chimney starter is the easiest way to light lump charcoal, so you never need lighter fluid. Lighter fluid can leave a chemical taste, and lump charcoal lights easily without it.
- Fill the chimney with lump charcoal. Put the biggest pieces at the bottom.
- Place two fire starter cubes or a sheet of crumpled newspaper on the charcoal grate under the chimney.
- Light the starter and leave the chimney alone. The lump is usually ready in 10 to 15 minutes, when the top pieces glow and have a light coat of ash.
- Pour the coals into the grill, add fresh lump on top if you need more, and set your vents.
If your smoker struggles to hold temperature, the fuel isn't always the cause. Our guide to why a smoker will not hold temperature covers vents, leaks, and wind.
How to store lump charcoal
Even the best lump charcoal will not light well once it gets wet, so keep it dry. Damp charcoal is hard to light, smokes more, and burns unevenly. Store bags off the ground in a garage or shed, or pour the charcoal into a tightly lidded bin. The dust and small pieces at the bottom of the bag still burn, so use them at the base of the chimney rather than throwing them out.
Charcoal safety
- Only burn charcoal outdoors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns never to burn charcoal inside homes, vehicles, or tents because it emits carbon monoxide, which has no smell.
- Keep the grill well away from the house, the garage, and anything that can catch fire.
- Never add lighter fluid to hot coals, and never use gasoline to start a fire.
- Let coals burn out and let the ashes cool for at least 48 hours before you throw them out. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association suggests wrapping cold ashes in heavy-duty foil and placing them in a non-flammable container.
Frequently asked questions
Is lump charcoal better than briquettes?
Lump lights faster, burns hotter, and leaves less ash. Briquettes burn more evenly and last longer on an open grill. Neither is better for every cook, so many people keep both.
What is the best lump charcoal for smoking?
Dense lump in large pieces lasts the longest. Jealous Devil Chunx XL and FOGO Super Premium are both good choices for long smokes.
Can you reuse lump charcoal?
Yes. In a grill or smoker that seals well, close the vents when you finish cooking to put the fire out. Next time, shake off the ash and add fresh lump on top of the remaining pieces.
Does lump charcoal go bad?
Not if it stays dry. Damp charcoal is hard to light and smokes more, so store it off the ground in a dry, covered spot.
The bottom line
For most people, the best lump charcoal is Jealous Devil Chunx XL, thanks to its dense wood and long burn. Choose FOGO Super Premium for a kamado, Rockwood for an everyday blend, B&B Oak for a pure oak flavor, Masterbuilt for a gravity-fed smoker, and Mr. Bar-B-Q if you just want to try lump. Light it with a chimney and keep it dry to get the most out of every bag. For more on cooking with charcoal, see our guide to the best smokers for beginners.