British BBQ Society Forums

Hi guys,

I have always used briquettes in the past and had no problems with them for low and slow and for the odd bit of grilling i've done.
Im getting some more charcoal tonight (10kg), would you say lumpwood is better than briquettes?

If so what are the pro's and cons of both?

Thanks in advance.

Andy

Lumpwood -
Pros - burn hotter, less ash
Cons - less burn time

Briquettes -
Pros - longer burn time
Cons - more ash, more nasty binders (varies by brand) and less heat

I've always used lump purely because good lump seems to be more readily available than good briquettes

I mainly use briquettes these days. I find the performance of them more consistent and predictable than lump. Still use lump occasionally if I can't get briquettes or if cooking directly on the coals. If is good but just prefer the reliability of briquettes

I use lump 90% of the time, mainly because I'm able to get good quality lump much cheaper than quality briquettes and it's more easily available.

If I had a source of decent briquettes at a good price then I'd prefer to use those for smoking due to temperature consistency.

When I could get good briquettes I would always use those and lump was a back up. Now I'm 100% lump but that's down to my cooker choice. Whatever you get avoid the instant lighting versions. If you are grill there is really very little difference, if you are only partially lighting the fuel for a low temp cook then I would buy lump as it won't have other "stuff" in it.

AndyHull wrote:Hi guys,

I have always used briquettes in the past and had no problems with them for low and slow and for the odd bit of grilling i've done.
Im getting some more charcoal tonight (10kg), would you say lumpwood is better than briquettes?

If so what are the pro's and cons of both?

Thanks in advance.

Andy

What works for one might not work for someone else. Do what you think is right and what works for you?

Eddie