Best charcoal for smokers

Of all the types of charcoal, lump charcoal has its share of fans.

Good charcoal for smoking lasts a long time and produces a steady high heat. Purists use hardwood logs, but most people use charcoal to give food its smoky flavor. Of course, not all charcoals are created equal. Learn the difference between briquettes and lump charcoal and which kinds are best. Charcoal should be as basic and as clean as possible.

Best charcoal for smokers

Apart from your smoker itself, the fire is the base of your barbecue. But, with a huge number of different types and brands of charcoals out there, choosing a fuel for smoking can get confusing really fast! Forget trial and error. This list of the best charcoal for smoking is designed to make your life easy. You can literally choose any of these options and be confident that they will perform just as they should, every time you light up. Burning Brisket is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate policy to learn more. Each and every one of the products recommended here has been carefully tested and selected. After all, your food is being doused in the stuff for hours on end so you want it to be as clean as possible. Often people do forget that charcoal is just charred wood and the type of wood used to make the charcoal can have a huge impact on how the food tastes. Although lump charcoal is often thought of as the premium option at the moment, both of these types of charcoals have their advantages and disadvantages.

Best Overall:.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. When the smoke cleared, we found the best briquettes and lump charcoal. Jump to a Section. Wood burned in a low-oxygen environment yields charcoal, which burns hotter and longer than its original component. Without it, the smelting of metals that brought us into the Bronze and Iron Ages probably would have taken much longer to achieve.

Not all lump charcoal for smoking is created equal, and some of it even has the potential to harm your health with dangerous chemical additives. We like how it doesn't give out sparks, pops, or snaps when lighting. This may be the most interesting type of premium-quality lump charcoal for smoking that we came across when doing our research, as these are more on the denser side. It's suitable for outdoor cookouts as it's easy to light, whether by the best charcoal starter or charcoal chimney starter. The lump charcoal also gives off a distinct woody flavor that deliciously enhances the taste of our meats. There are no additives or bonding agents used, and each lump of charcoal is capable of longer burning times and maintaining cooking temperatures.

Best charcoal for smokers

Good charcoal for smoking lasts a long time and produces a steady high heat. Purists use hardwood logs, but most people use charcoal to give food its smoky flavor. Of course, not all charcoals are created equal. Learn the difference between briquettes and lump charcoal and which kinds are best. Charcoal should be as basic and as clean as possible.

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Long burn time Steady heat Higher priced. Best Splurge:. The result is an infrared heat that cooks the food evenly from the inside out while providing an intense sear. Best Pellets for Smoking? Some vertical smokers have doors or panels that give you the same access, and others require you to top-load the charcoal, which also involves removing the food and the drip tray to refuel your smoker. We get a good, long burn time in a range of different types of charcoal smokers. Thanks for your feedback! Lump charcoal is also more available these days and can typically be found in places that sell smokers and outdoor cooking equipment. List of Partners vendors. While some swear by a specific variety of lump charcoal, others like the predictability that hardwood briquettes give you. Although sturdy, the bag is not waterproof and should be stored inside to protect it from the elements. Ultimately, all lump charcoal is a natural product that contains no fillers. It's water resistant, resealable, and has a carry handle for convenience.

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The app connectivity allowed us to monitor the cooking process without constant hovering over the smoker, and the food it produced rated well. Bar-B-Q, which otherwise produced fairly good results. Best for Beginners. Of all the types of charcoal, lump charcoal has its share of fans. One our reviewers noted that they felt it was worth the price tag, and planned on switching from their current brand. Best Overall:. Although made by the makers of the Big Green Egg Smoker, this product can be used on any charcoal grill. In This Article Expand. Measure advertising performance. Use limited data to select advertising. The removable ash pan helped make cleanup easy, with the rest readily handled with a quick scrub, and a wire brush took care of the grates.