Choosing the Right Fuel for a Charcoal Smoker and Grill

A charcoal smoker and grill requires fuel, and that fuel is charcoal. The most common types are briquettes and lump charcoal. Both types have pros and cons, and both can be used to make great barbecue.

Charcoal Briquettes
Charcoal Briquettes are a manufactured product. Kingsford is the best selling brand of charcoal briquettes in the United States.

Briquettes are a convenient and inexpensive source of fuel for your charcoal smoker and grill. They tend to burn longer and more consistently than lump charcoal, but not quite as hot.

Briquettes also contain other ingredients in addition to charcoal to improve the consistency and performance. As a result, these additives leave behind more ash. This can be a concern with less expensive charcoal smokers because the fire pan can be difficult to access. If you are particularly adamant about being “natural”, then you might want to steer clear of briquettes.

Lump Charcoal
Lump charcoal is made from pieces of wood that have been burned down into charcoal. It contains no additional ingredients. After the lump charcoal has been processed, it’s packaged and sold. Irregularities in the wood are the reason for the varying size and shape of lump charcoal.

Lump charcoal tends to burn hotter than briquettes, but not as long or as consistently. In some parts of the country, it can be purchased for about the same price as briquettes. Generally the price is determined by the availability.

When selecting what type of charcoal you want to use, take the following factors into consideration:

• What’s available where you live?
• How fast does it light?
• How hot does it burn?
• Do you care if it is a “natural” product?
• How long does it burn?
• How much ash does it leave behind?
• How consistently does it burn?
• Does it leave behind a smell or flavor to your food?

Whatever you choose, make certain that it meets your needs. Use a chimney starter and never use lighter fluid. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with Kingsford, but you’ll have to decide that on your own. Best of luck and happy smoking!

Posted via email from bbqwatersmoker's posterous