Choosing the Right Charcoal for Your Grill

Deciding on the best charcoal fuel for your grill is a make-or-break decision. You need to invest in premium quality charcoal that offers the best value for your money. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best charcoal fuel for your grill:

2. Optimal Heat Output/Burning Time

Are you looking for a fuel that will burn at high temperatures for that perfect steak? Or, do you prefer a heat output that you can control with ease for your slow roast? Whatever your pick, know that charcoal briquettes burn slowly and at low temperatures. This stable burning allows you to maintain a steady temperature for an extended cooking time. It is your best option when multitasking or cooking thicker meats. In contrast, lump charcoal burns at very high temperatures, great for searing. And due to their inconsistent sizes and density, the flames are much harder to regulate.

3. Cost

Go for the most affordable charcoal fuel you can find. This will help you save some money especially when you need a sizeable quantity of heat for a large outdoor get-together.

4. Flavor

The smoke flavor varies depending on the type of wood used in making the charcoal fuel. For example, lump charcoal may include large pieces with unconverted wood at the center. It is this unconverted wood that produces a smoky flavor. For this, lump charcoal is a favorite amongst outdoor grilling enthusiasts. Charcoal briquettes undergo uniform conversion into char. In turn, it emits little or no smoke. So, no smoky flavor to your dishes.

5. Availability

Standard charcoal briquettes are the most readily available form of charcoal fuel. They are from biomass that is available everywhere. But, coconut shell charcoal and Kishu Binchotan are hard to come by. These two are common in coastal areas or Japan where raw materials are readily available.

Lump charcoal is a unique type of charcoal created by carbonizing charred hardwood. The resulting charcoal burns at high temperatures for longer. Since it uses charred wood, lump charcoal presents you with a clean energy alternative while adding a nice smoky flavor to the food. More so, it is easy to clean up afterward.

Note that the type of wood used in making lump charcoal impacts the flavor of your foods. Here are some types of wood used to make lump charcoal:

Here is what we like about lump charcoal:

Manufacturers make charcoal briquettes using a combination of such materials as sawdust, wood charcoal, borax, brown coal, sodium nitrate, and starch. Here, the combustible materials are compressed, dried, and molded into charcoal bricks. The resulting fuel is easy to use and retails at an affordable price. More so, it is readily available at a store near you. Common types of charcoal briquettes include:

Since charcoal briquettes use mixed recyclable waste products, they may have chemical binders and fillers that can alter the taste of your food. Indeed, you can smell the charcoal in your meats, especially when grilling directly on the charcoal briquettes.

Check out the traits we like about charcoal briquettes: