Barbecue Charcoal -
Lumpwood Or BBQ Briquettes?
Is it to be lump wood barbecue charcoal? Should I get the self lighting packs? Or maybe BBQ briquettes? And when all these questions have been answered, where do I buy it? Let me resolve that last point first: BBQ.com offer a good range at competitive prices and even include Big Green Egg lumpwood charcoal.
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Before we go any further let me please remind everyone of the dangers of fires and remember never to blow onto the coals – you’ve only got two eyes, keep your barbecue cookout safe. Charcoal is made by the slow burning of wood in an oxygen starved environment and slow does mean slow, we’re talking weeks rather than days. It’s also pleasing to note that it’s pretty environmentally friendly due to the technique of coppicing which allows wood to harvested from trees in a way that promotes further growth in the tree. To you and me, barbecue charcoal arrives ready for consumption in the shape of briquettes, lump wood or self lighting so which is best? Let’s start with which is worst…………self lighting charcoal. This is the stuff that comes wrapped up in a brown paper bag (pictured below) and you simply place it in the grill and light the paper. Generally it works but occasionally you get a bad lot and it doesn’t burn, other negatives are that it creates a lot of light ash which can rise up and stick to your food and worst of all – it doesn’t last very long.
I prefer lump wood to briquettes. Briquettes are basically charcoal dust with a starch binder mixed up with additives to make them release a stronger heat for longer. Frankly I don't think there's much in it, they both burn at a good temperature and last equally well, the only thing that makes me go for the lump wood is that there’s less ash and cleaning up is a little easier. Lumpwood charcoal may be purchased online from BBQ.com in either
10lb
or
20lb
bags. TIP - Having lit the charcoal (whether lump wood or briquettes) be patient and leave it for 45 minutes then you’ll have lovely glowing coals and you’ve minimised the chance of flames starting and burning your food. TIP - If you’ve got any BBQ charcoal left over from last summer use it sparingly with some fresh charcoal and never try to have a whole fire with last years leftovers. Charcoal is a natural desiccant therefore it absorbs moisture and it it never burns as well six months down the line - you’ll just end up getting frustrated.
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One of the negatives of charcoal that many perceive is that charcoal is difficult to light (hence why self lighting charcoal is available) so how do I use traditional lumpwood charcoal AND never have a problem with lighting? I use an
electric charcoal lighter.
If your reading this and still thinking “it’s all a bit of a performance and sounds dirty” then it’s time to buy a
gas barbecue grill
or an
electric smoker
Related Pages:-
Essential Guide To Wood Chip Smoke Flavouring
How To Light Your Barbecue Charcoal
More Barbecue Accessories and Cooking Equipment
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