Differences between lump charcoal and charcoal briquettes
Lump charcoal
Lump charcoal is the natural product that comes directly from wood that goes through the carbonization process. This charcoal has no additives (no added chemicals).
Charcoal briquettes
Charcoal briquettes are made with leftover charcoal dust, binders and sometimes sawdust and other additives. This mix is compressed and then baked. Most briquettes have a pillow shape.
Lump vs. briquettes
| Lump | Briquettes |
|---|---|
| 100% natural. | Made with mostly natural materials, but some brands also use additives. |
| Not uniform shapes and sizes. | Uniform shapes and sizes. |
| Natural variation means every bag is different from the next one, even between same-brand products. | Consistent. Every bag is very similar to the next one. |
| Might burn hotter than briquettes. | Lower temperature than lump charcoal. |
| Leaves less ash than briquettes. | Leaves more ash than lump charcoal. |
| More natural smoky flavor. | Less or artificial smoky flavor. |
Basically, lump charcoal is superior to briquettes in almost every way, except consistency. Density, moisture, shapes and sizes are some of the main things that can vary in lump charcoal from one bag to another. Briquettes are almost identical from one batch to another, so users can predict and control times and temperatures much more accurately with briquettes.
Old West produces and selects the finest hardwood lump charcoal, a blend of oak and mesquite woods.
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