Choosing the right charcoal briquettes can significantly impact your grilling experience. This year, the market offers a diverse range of options, each boasting unique characteristics and benefits. From extended burn times to distinct flavor profiles and sustainable sourcing, the ideal briquette depends on individual preferences and cooking styles. This detailed review explores five top contenders in the 2024 charcoal briquette market, meticulously examining their performance, features, and overall value. We've grilled with each brand to bring you an unbiased assessment, helping you navigate the choices and select the perfect fuel for your next barbecue.This comprehensive guide cuts through the marketing jargon, providing clear and concise information on each product. We delve into aspects like burn time, heat consistency, flavor impact, ash production, ease of lighting, and environmental considerations. Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a weekend warrior, our in-depth review will equip you with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision and elevate your grilling game.
Pros And Cons
- Longer burn time due to bigger briquettes
- All-natural, made from Kraco hardwood with minimal vegetable starch binder
- Burns hot and clean
- Minimal ash production
- Doesn't spark or pop
- Comes in a resealable, waterproof bag
- Premium grilling experience
- All-natural, made from Missouri-grown Oak, Hickory, pecan, and Cherrywood
- Free from chemicals and additives
- Highly regarded by barbecue competition teams and home grill enthusiasts
- Lights easily and burns steadily
- Ideal for charcoal grills and smokers
- Slow burning, minimal ash production
- Environmentally responsible production and packaging (recyclable paper bags, soy-based inks)
- Mild smoke profile
- Good for grilling and smoking
- Good heat, easy to control
- Low ash production
- Held together with vegetable starch binder
- Long burn time (over 5 hours at 225°F)
- More difficult to light than some competitors
- All-natural with real wood-fired flavor
- Lights quickly without lighter fluid
- Produces clean-looking smoke
- Good for low and slow cooking and high-heat grilling
- Long burn time
- Steady and easy-to-control heat
- Minimal ash production
- Can be hard to find in stores
Read more: Top 6 Charcoal Briquettes: A Buyer's Guide
Jealous Devil Max XL All-Natural Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes
The Jealous Devil Max XL briquettes are impressive due to their oversized size, roughly twice that of a standard briquette. This translates to a significantly longer burn time, ideal for extended grilling or smoking sessions.
Made from 100% natural KBrco hardwood with a minimal amount of vegetable starch binder, these briquettes burn hot and clean. The minimal ash production and lack of sparking or popping make them a joy to use.
Their performance is excellent for both high-heat grilling and low-and-slow smoking. The resalable waterproof bag adds convenience for storage and ensures product freshness.
Cowboy All-Natural Hardwood Briquettes
Cowboy briquettes, sharing similarities with Jealous Devil, are also all-natural, boasting a blend of 95% hardwood and 5% vegetable starch binder. This provides the authentic wood-fired flavor without unwanted additives.
These briquettes light quickly and cleanly, producing minimal smoke. They deliver consistent heat, making them suitable for both high-heat grilling and low-and-slow smoking. The long burn time minimizes the need for frequent refills.
Note that these are sometimes difficult to find in stores, but their durability as briquettes makes shipping less problematic than lump charcoal.
B&B Charcoal Slow Burning Oak Charcoal Briquettes
For a milder smoke profile, B&B Oak charcoal briquettes are a top contender. While they might take a little longer to light than some others, the oak wood provides excellent heat, perfect for both grilling and smoking.
These all-natural briquettes offer low ash production and a clean burn. We achieved over 5 hours of cooking time at 225°F, comparable to other premium briquettes on the market.
The consistent heat makes them suitable for various cooking styles and temperatures.
Billy Buck Skin Company Oak and Apple Charcoal Briquettes
Billy Buck Skin Company offers a unique blend of Oak and Applewood briquettes, providing a delicious fruitwood flavor while maintaining the reliable heat of oak.
Sustainably sourced from wood cleared from unproductive apple orchards, these briquettes are an environmentally friendly choice. The flavor is subtle and complements a wide variety of foods without overpowering them.
They light easily and provide consistent heat suitable for various cooking methods. While newer to the market, early impressions are very positive.
Rockwood Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal
Rockwood lump charcoal is a premium choice, highly regarded by both competition teams and home grillers. Made from a blend of Missouri-grown hardwoods (Oak, Hickory, Pecan, and Cherrywood), it’s completely natural and additive-free.
It lights easily and burns consistently, delivering rich flavor and succulent results. The slow burn and minimal ash contribute to a hassle-free grilling experience.
Rockwood prioritizes sustainable practices, from minimizing kiln emissions to carbon conversion into biochar, and even uses recyclable paper bags and soy-based inks for its packaging.
Conclusion: Which Charcoal Briquettes Reign Supreme?
Each charcoal briquette brand reviewed offers unique strengths. Jealous Devil Max XL provides impressive burn time, Cowboy offers ease of use and consistent heat, B&B offers a milder Oak smoke profile, Billy Buck Skin provides a unique fruitwood flavor, and Rockwood delivers premium quality and sustainability.
Ultimately, the 'best' choice depends on individual preferences and cooking styles. For long burn times and clean burning, Jealous Devil Max XL is a top contender. For a unique flavor profile, Billy Buck Skin's Oak and Apple blend shines. Rockwood excels in quality, sustainability, and ease of use.
Consider your priorities—burn time, flavor profile, sustainability—when making your selection. Each of these brands offers high-quality charcoal that enhances any grilling or smoking experience.