Top Lump Charcoal Brands for Premium Grilling Experiences

Finding the right lump charcoal can make all the difference when it comes to achieving that perfect grilled flavor. Quality and consistency are key factors to consider, as well as how sustainably the charcoal is produced. Several brands have earned a strong reputation among grilling enthusiasts for their premium, all-natural charcoal that burns hot and clean. To discover which brands made our list of the best lump charcoal options, continue reading below.

Illustration of lump charcoal

Best brands of lump charcoal in 2025

Jealous Devil

Jealous Devil is renowned for producing some of the best lump charcoal, made from the dense and hard Quebracho Blanco wood, known as "axe-breaker" due to its hardness. This charcoal is hand-picked, hand-cut, and carbonized in custom-built brick kilns, ensuring a product that is 100% natural with no chemicals, fillers, or scrap wood. It burns extremely hot, reaching temperatures of up to 1172°F, and has a high burn time, lasting over 3 hours in open grills and over 12 hours in smokers or kamados. The charcoal has a very low amount of chips and dust, typically around 3.1%, and produces minimal ash. Its performance has been consistently high, earning it a Highly Recommended rating in multiple tests. Discover more about Jealous Devil's lump charcoal by visiting their official website.

Fogo

Fogo Charcoal is renowned as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, leveraging a unique blend of Inga wood from El Salvador's coffee farms to create a high-quality, aromatic product. Their artisanal production process, inspired by ancient Mayan techniques, involves low-temperature firing to maintain the wood's natural flavor. Each piece of charcoal is hand-picked and thoroughly screened to ensure only the finest pieces are bagged, with every piece over 4 inches long for optimal burn time. Fogo's commitment to sustainability includes planting over 40,000 trees annually to reclaim deforested areas. This dedication to quality and sustainability has made Fogo a favorite among grilling enthusiasts. For more information about their product, visit their Fogo Super Premium Hardwood Charcoal page.

Royal Oak

Royal Oak is a leading producer of high-quality lump charcoal, founded in 1953 and committed to using 100% natural, sustainably-sourced American hardwoods. Their lump charcoal is known for lighting easily, burning hotter and longer, and providing a cleaner grilling experience. The company has recently expanded its Salem, MO facility, increasing production by over 50% and incorporating state-of-the-art technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. Royal Oak's products are trusted by top professional pitmasters and backyard grillers alike, and their Forest Forever(tm) initiative promotes sustainable forest management and reforestation efforts. With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, Royal Oak continues to be a major player in the charcoal industry.

Kamado Joe

Kamado Joe is renowned as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, leveraging high-quality hardwoods such as guayacan, guayaibi, mistol, and white quebracho to create their Big Block XL Lump Charcoal. This charcoal burns hotter, lasts longer, and can be reused up to three times, making it highly efficient and cost-effective. Each bag can burn for up to 18 hours continuously, and the charcoal contains only 3.7% chips and dust by weight, ensuring minimal ash production. The blend of these dense hardwoods, particularly white quebracho known for its slow and strong burn, enhances the flavor and smoke quality of the charcoal. This premium charcoal is ideal for kamado grills, including Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg, and is highly recommended for its superior burn times and flavor.

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg is renowned as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, offering 100% natural oak and hickory lump charcoal that is free from fillers, nitrates, chemicals, treated wood, and petroleum products. This premium charcoal, made in the USA, lights quickly and burns hotter and more efficiently than briquettes, producing less ash and minimal cleanup. Big Green Egg has been committed to eco-friendly and natural products since its founding in 1974, ensuring their charcoal meets EPA environmental guidelines and is CE Certified in the European Union. The charcoal is a renewable fuel, carefully sourced to maintain its natural quality, resulting in better-tasting food without harsh chemicals or odors.

B&B Charcoal

B&B Charcoal is highly regarded as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, known for its high-quality oak and hickory charcoal products. Their Char-Logs, made from the remnants of their lump charcoal production, achieve high maximum temperatures of up to 898°F and have a long viable cook time of 4 full hours. Despite producing a high volume of ash, B&B Charcoal is praised for its mild smoke flavor and clean burn, making it a top choice for smoking. The brand's products are free from binders and are compressed under significant pressure, ensuring dense and consistent logs. B&B Charcoal has received a perfect 10/10 rating in comprehensive tests for its performance and quality. You can find more details about their performance on this review site.

Rockwood

Rockwood Charcoal is renowned as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, offering premium, all-natural products made from renewable natural resources in Missouri. Their charcoal lights easily, burns hot, and seals in juices for bold, flavorful barbecue, producing less ash for faster cleanup. Rockwood's unique, unpressed lump charcoal provides superior temperature control due to its responsiveness to oxygen changes. The use of Missouri hardwoods ensures neutral smoke, allowing precise flavor control. With its high calorific value and ability to burn at greater temperatures than briquettes, Rockwood lump charcoal dominates the market in terms of quality and performance.

Cowboy Charcoal

Cowboy Charcoal is renowned for its high-quality lump charcoal, which has become a favorite among barbecue enthusiasts due to its authentic smoky flavor and long-burning properties. Despite some average ratings in terms of size distribution and maximum temperature, Cowboy Charcoal stands out for its easy lighting and moderate burn time. The charcoal burns at a maximum temperature of 796°F and produces a high amount of ash, but its mild smell and ability to achieve a smoky flavor make it a popular choice. In the North American market, lump charcoal, such as that produced by Cowboy, is expected to dominate due to its quick burning and high calorific value. However, the specific product from Cowboy has mixed reviews, with 49.1% of the bag consisting of small pieces and a significant amount of sparking and popping during use.

Wicked Good

Wicked Good Charcoal's Competition Blend stands out as one of the best producers of lump charcoal, known for its dense and high fixed carbon content, which enables it to burn for the longest times. In comparative tests, it burned as long as other top brands and produced minimal ash, both in weight and volume. This makes it an excellent choice for long cooks where consistent heat and minimal ash are crucial. The charcoal's performance is consistent with its high quality, making it a preferred option for grilling enthusiasts. Its dense composition ensures efficient use and reliable burning characteristics.

Weber

Weber, a leading brand in the barbecue industry, has established itself as a top producer of high-quality lump charcoal, particularly with its new all-natural briquettes. These briquettes, made from hardwood char fines and a vegetable starch binder, offer great flavor, long burn times, and consistent heat, making them ideal for grilling and smoking. Weber's market dominance is evident, with the brand holding a 21% dollar share in the barbecue grill market as of 2024, although it has seen a slight decline in recent years. Despite this, Weber remains a favorite among BBQ enthusiasts, with a 25% brand consideration rate and a long history of innovation in grilling products. The introduction of Weber's all-natural briquettes has further solidified its position in the market.