Choosing the right charcoal can significantly impact your grilling experience. This comprehensive review dives deep into five of the best charcoal options available in 2023, examining their performance, ease of use, and overall value. From premium lump charcoal designed for high-heat cooking to budget-friendly briquettes perfect for casual grilling, we've tested and compared them all to help you make an informed decision. We've considered factors such as burn time, heat intensity, flavor profile, and ease of lighting to provide a clear and unbiased assessment of each product.This review will guide you through the pros and cons of each charcoal type, highlighting key features and addressing potential drawbacks. Whether you're a seasoned grilling enthusiast or a weekend warrior, understanding the nuances of different charcoal options will elevate your BBQ game. We'll help you determine which charcoal best suits your grilling style, budget, and desired results, ultimately leading you to the perfect charcoal for your next grilling adventure.
Pros And Cons
- Burns hotter and longer than other briquettes tested
- Widely available and affordable
- Cooked burgers in 9 minutes
- Outclassed by Weber briquettes in longevity and heat
- Favorite among tested charcoals
- Good assortment of chunk sizes for easy lighting and long burn
- Sweet and smoky scent
- Cooked burgers in 7 minutes
- Designed for smokers, imparts sweet smoky flavor
- May burn up quickly for longer grilling sessions
- Made from Missouri Oak, Maple, and Hickory, eco-friendly harvesting
- Uniformly hued chunks
- Pleasant campfire-like smell with a hint of sweetness
- High user rating
- Harder to light than Royal Oak
- More expensive
- Convenient packaging (Ziploc bag)
- Uniform chunk size with minimal dust and chips
- Very hot burning, cooked burger in 6 minutes
- Unique, medicinal-like smell
Read more: Top 6 Charcoal Briquettes: A Buyer's Guide
Fogo Super Premium Lump Charcoal: High Heat, High Price
Fogo Super Premium Lump Charcoal impressed with its large chunk size, resulting in high heat and a long burn time. However, this characteristic also made it harder to light initially. The substantial chunk size is ideal for high-heat cooking methods, such as boiling water or using a dutch oven, adding to its versatility.

Despite its excellent performance, the significantly higher price point compared to other options makes it less accessible for everyday use. While perfect for serious grilling enthusiasts or camping trips demanding high heat, its cost may be a deterrent for casual users.

Jealous Devil Hardwood Lump Charcoal: Convenience and Speed
Jealous Devil stood out for its convenient packaging, featuring a resealable bag for easy storage and access. The uniform chunk size, lacking dust or small pieces, ensured efficient burning. This charcoal generated intense heat, cooking a medium-rare burger in just six minutes.
The unique, almost medicinal scent of the smoke, resulting from the use of Cueracho Blanco wood, might not appeal to everyone. However, this didn’t impact the taste of the grilled food. If quick cooking is a priority, Jealous Devil is a solid choice.
Rockwood Lump Charcoal: Eco-Friendly and Flavorful
Rockwood Lump Charcoal, made from Missouri Oak, Maple, and Hickory, boasts an eco-friendly harvesting process using leftover timber. Its uniform chunk size and pleasing campfire-like aroma are noteworthy features. While it produced excellent results, lighting proved slightly more challenging compared to others.

Despite its slightly harder lighting, once ignited, Rockwood delivered consistent heat and a smoky flavor with sweet undertones. Its high user ratings on NakedWhiz underscore its popularity. The cost is slightly higher than average, but many grilling enthusiasts consider it worth the price for quality and eco-consciousness.

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes: A Classic Choice
Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes, a time-tested brand, offer compact briquettes that burn hot and last a long time thanks to a refined formula. The consistent quality and widespread availability make it a reliable option for many grillers.

While not topping the list in longevity or heat compared to other briquettes tested, Kingsford delivers reliable results and an iconic campfire aroma. Its affordability and readily available nature make it a strong contender for those on a budget or needing a quick charcoal solution.

Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal: Our Top Pick
Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal emerged as our top choice due to its overall performance. It offered a well-balanced mix of easily-lit pieces and longer-burning chunks, catering to various grilling needs. The pleasant, sweet, smoky scent enhanced the flavor of the food without overpowering it.

The Royal Oak charcoal cooked burgers to perfection in seven minutes. While a small percentage of larger chunks might burn faster over time, its balance of ease of use, flavor, and consistent cooking time makes it our best recommendation for most grilling situations, despite the slightly faster burn compared to some other options.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Charcoal for You
Each charcoal type offers unique advantages. Fogo excels in high-heat versatility, Jealous Devil prioritizes speed and convenience, Rockwood emphasizes eco-friendliness and flavor, and Kingsford is a reliable, budget-friendly classic. However, Royal Oak's well-rounded performance, ease of use, and pleasant aroma make it the overall best choice for most grillers.
Ultimately, the best charcoal depends on individual preferences and grilling style. Consider factors like desired heat intensity, cooking time, budget, and aroma preference when making your selection. For a balance of quality, performance, and ease of use, Royal Oak remains our top recommendation.