Grilling with charcoal can be a fun and delicious way to cook your food. Charcoal grilling uses lump charcoal or briquettes to produce an intense, smoky fire that sears the food, developing richer flavors. When using charcoal, it’s important to choose a high quality product that lights easily and burns consistently at the proper temperature. Soaking the coals well before use can help regulate the heat. Strategies like stacking coals can create hotter and cooler zones to cook different foods simultaneously. Hardwood lump charcoal often burns hotter while briquettes provide a more even and longer-lasting fire. With a little practice, backyard chefs can master searing steaks, burgers, chicken, or vegetables over a charcoal grill for meals that pop with smoky, char-grilled goodness. Equipping your grill with a lid and vents gives more control over heat and smoke as well.
Our Top Picks For 2025
Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes
Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes are a classic charcoal briquette made in the USA by Kingsford. These briquettes are made with natural wood and light quickly, burning hot with an authentic smoky flavor.
Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes are a staple of American grilling and barbecuing. Made in the USA by Kingsford with natural ingredients including real wood, these charcoal briquettes light fast and burn hot for authentic BBQ flavor.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Made with natural wood and ingredients for authentic smoky BBQ flavor
- Lights fast in approximately 15 minutes with Sure Fire grooves
- Burns hotter with more edges to catch the flame quickly*
- Provides a long and steady burn time for grilling*
- Made in the USA with North American ingredients
- 100+ years of reliable charcoal performance
With their fast lighting time, hot and steady burn, and classic smoky flavor, Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes have been a go-to charcoal for BBQ grilling and smoking for over a century. Their natural wood ingredients provide the authentic taste of American barbecuing.
FOGO Premium Oak Lump Charcoal
FOGO premium lump charcoal is made from Central American oak wood and crafted in small batches using traditional methods. It lights quickly and burns evenly at high temperatures, adding natural wood flavor to grilled and smoked foods.
FOGO Premium Oak Lump Charcoal is a top choice for grilling and smoking enthusiasts. This all-natural, real-wood charcoal is handmade by FOGO, a family-owned company dedicated to exceptional charcoal production. FOGO uses traditional techniques like cooking the wood in brick ovens to create charcoal with an authentic wood-fired flavor.
Key Features:
- Made from Central American oak wood with no additives or chemicals
- Lights fast and burns hot for searing and grilling
- Natural wood smoke flavor enhances foods like meats, vegetables, and more
- Restaurant-quality charcoal crafted in small batches
- Versatile for all types of grills and smokers
- Durable lumps sustain even heating
- Responsibly sourced wood supports local communities
- Easy to control temperature for low and slow smoking
With authentic oak flavor and reliable performance, FOGO Premium Lump Charcoal brings out the best in grilling and smoking. This natural charcoal is perfect for everyday backyard cooking or competition-level barbecue.
Mr. Bar-B-Q Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Mr. Bar-B-Q’s natural hardwood lump charcoal is an all-natural, premium grilling charcoal made from a blend of hardwoods. It lights easily, burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes, and produces very little ash.
Mr. Bar-B-Q’s natural hardwood lump charcoal is an ideal choice for grilling and smoking. This premium charcoal is manufactured in the USA from a blend of oak, hickory, maple and other hardwoods.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Made from 100% all-natural hardwood – Provides an authentic, smoky flavor without any chemical aftertaste
- Burns hotter and longer than briquettes – Reaches and maintains high temperatures for superior searing
- Low ash production – Less cleanup required after grilling
- Lights easily and quickly – Gets your grill or smoker up to temperature fast
- Produced in small, irregular chunks – Allows proper airflow for efficient burning
Mr. Bar-B-Q’s natural lump charcoal is a high-quality, all-natural grilling fuel that provides great flavor along with reliable performance. It’s an excellent option for any grilling or smoking enthusiast looking for a premium charcoal.
Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes
Olivette offers 100% organic charcoal briquettes made from recycled olive wood and olive pits for smoke-free grilling and heating. These chemical-free briquettes provide high, stable heat with no sparks or volatile ash.
Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes are a sustainable, eco-friendly option for your next BBQ or fireplace. Made by Olivette Atlas Olive Oils, these USDA organic certified briquettes contain no chemical additives at all.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Smoke Free BBQ Charcoal: Olivette briquettes don’t release toxic substances that can be damaging to your health, producing a tastier, better-for-you BBQ experience.
- Charcoal for Grilling & Heating: Quick to light up and burning for up to 5 hours, Olivette provides versatile, efficient heating power for grilling, fireplaces, and more.
- 100% Recycled Natural Charcoal: Made exclusively from recycled olive wood, pits, and pulp, no trees are destroyed in production. An eco-friendly production method.
With their organic certification, high heat, and low smoke, Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes bring a sustainable element to your next cookout or cozy fire.
FOGO Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal 2-Pack
Two 35-pound bags of 100% natural hardwood lump charcoal made from dense Central American woods, with large chunks for low and slow cooking. Provides authentic smoky flavor without chemicals or fillers.
FOGO’s Super Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal delivers high heat and real wood flavor for grilling and smoking. This two-pack contains 70 pounds of hand-selected charcoal lumps made sustainably from Central American hardwoods.
Key Features:
- Made from dense Inga woods with no added ingredients
- Large 4-inch chunks are ideal for low, slow cooking
- Lights fast, ready to grill in 15 minutes
- Burns hot and evenly for searing and smoking
- Infuses food with authentic, smoky flavor
- Sustainably sourced wood, primarily from trimmings
- Hand-picked chunks ensure only the best quality charcoal
- Works with all major grill and smoker brands
With natural fire-cooked flavor and restaurant-quality performance, FOGO’s lump charcoal takes your grilling and barbecue to the next level. This two-pack provides generous capacity for all your outdoor cooking needs.
365 by Whole Foods Market All Natural Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes
365 by Whole Foods Market all natural hardwood charcoal briquettes are made from 100% natural hardwoods with no chemicals or additives. These environmentally friendly briquettes provide a clean, even burn for grilling and smoking.
The 365 by Whole Foods Market All Natural Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes are a great option for your grilling and smoking needs. These briquettes are made by compressing 100% natural hardwood sawdust and wood shavings into a consistent and evenly sized briquette. Some key features and benefits include:
- All Natural Ingredients – Made from 100% natural hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple with no added chemicals, fillers, or binders. Environmentally friendly.
- Clean, Even Burn – Lights easily and burns slowly and evenly, providing consistent heat for grilling and smoking. Produces less ash than other briquettes.
- Natural Wood Smoke Flavor – Imparts a subtle, smoky natural wood flavor to grilled foods without being overpowering.
The 365 All Natural Briquettes are the perfect option for those looking for a natural, chemical-free charcoal briquette to use for all their grilling and smoking needs. Their all natural composition provides reliable performance and great flavor.
Black Owl Natural Coconut Shell Charcoal Cubes
Black Owl charcoal cubes are made from 100% natural coconut shells with no chemicals. They provide a sustainable and eco-friendly grilling experience.
The Black Owl Natural Coconut Shell Charcoal Cubes are a premium charcoal made entirely from recycled coconut shells. This chemical-free, non-quick-light charcoal is perfect for grilling, barbecuing and other outdoor cooking.
Key Features:
- Sustainably sourced from recycled coconut shells, not trees
- Burns consistently with less smoke
- Adds no weird tastes or smells to your food
- Natural and chemical-free
- Odorless and does not emit fumes
- Comes in 25x25x25mm cubes
- Provides an authentic charcoal grilling experience
The Black Owl Natural Coconut Shell Charcoal Cubes offer an eco-friendly way to get high-quality charcoal flavor when grilling outdoors. Their pure coconut source means you can grill without worrying about added chemicals or environmental impact.
FOGO Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal
FOGO Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal is a 17.6 lb bag of all-natural, chemical-free charcoal made from oak hardwood. It’s designed for low and slow cooking and works well with ceramic grills. The large charcoal chunks provide long-lasting heat.
FOGO Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal is an all-natural charcoal made by FOGO, a company known for its premium charcoal products. This 17.6 lb bag contains large chunks of charcoal made from oak hardwood. It’s perfect for low and slow cooking methods like smoking and grilling on ceramic Kamado-style grills.
Key Features and Benefits:
- All-natural hardwood charcoal with no chemicals or fillers
- Large charcoal lumps provide more surface area for longer burn times
- Burns cleanly with less smoke and ash
- Provides high searing heat yet easily adjustable for low and slow cooking
- Made from oak hardwood that imparts a subtle, smoky flavor
- Restaurant-quality charcoal ideal for ceramic grills like Big Green Egg
FOGO uses traditional artisanal methods to hand-select only the best charcoal pieces. This meticulous process results in lump charcoal that lights quickly, burns evenly, and enhances the flavor of grilled foods. The large chunks are perfect for extended grilling and smoking sessions. FOGO Super Premium Oak Lump Charcoal brings out the best in any barbecue.
Royal Oak All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Royal Oak all natural hardwood lump charcoal is made from 100% natural hardwood and contains no fillers, chemicals or binders. It provides a hot, even burn with no unpleasant chemical taste.
Royal Oak All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is a premium grilling fuel made entirely from natural hardwood. This 100% all-natural charcoal contains no fillers, chemicals or binders for a clean, hot burn.
- Burns hotter and longer than briquettes
- All-natural hardwood provides authentic smoky flavor
- Low ash content for easy cleanup
- Large chunks provide maximum airflow for fast lighting
- Sourced from sustainable forestry practices
Royal Oak all natural lump charcoal is the ideal fuel for grilling, smoking and cooking outdoors. The pure hardwood provides even heat without imparting any chemical tastes. Outdoor chefs will appreciate the long, steady burn time and authentic smoky flavor perfect for bringing out the best in grilled meats, vegetables and more.
Cowboy All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal, 20 lbs
Cowboy lump charcoal is 100% all natural hardwood made from oak, hickory and maple. It lights easily without lighter fluid and burns hotter and faster than briquettes for better searing.
Cowboy All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is an ideal choice for grilling, smoking and searing. This 100% natural charcoal is crafted from oak, hickory and maple hardwoods and contains no additives or chemicals. Cowboy charcoal lights easily without lighter fluid and reaches temperatures up to 800°F for excellent searing capability.
Key Features:
- Made from 100% natural hardwoods – oak, hickory and maple
- Burns hotter and faster than briquettes
- Reaches temperatures up to 800°F for excellent searing
- Lights easily without lighter fluid
- Imparts a delicious smoky flavor
- Environmentally sustainable and made from renewable resources
- Produces less ash than briquettes
- Comes in a 20 lb bag for longer grilling sessions
Cowboy All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal is the ideal fuel source for grilling, smoking, roasting or any outdoor cooking. It brings out the best flavor in your food without any chemical aftertaste. The all-natural hardwood composition lights easily and burns hot for foolproof grilling and searing.
