Lump charcoal burns hottest and cleanest, ideal for searing and kamado grills. Briquettes burn longer and more evenly, ideal for long cooks in a kettle. Pellets, burned in a pellet grill, give automatic temperature control and wood-smoke flavour with the least effort. Many cooks own two: a pellet grill or kettle for smoking, lump for searing.
The three fuels compared
| Lump charcoal | Briquettes | Wood pellets (pellet grill) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made from | Carbonized hardwood | Charcoal fines + binder | Compressed food-grade hardwood |
| Heat | Highest, less even | Steady, medium-high | Set by a controller |
| Lighting | Fast | Slower | Automatic igniter |
| Flavour | Charcoal, light wood | Charcoal | Wood smoke by species |
| Ash | Low | Higher | Low |
| Effort | Manage vents and fuel | Manage vents and fuel | Set the temperature, refill the hopper |
| Best for | Searing, steaks, kamado | Long cooks, snake method | Smoking, low and slow, set-and-forget |
Which should you choose?
- You love a hard sear and crust: lump charcoal.
- You want long, steady cooks on a kettle: briquettes.
- You want smoked food without babysitting a fire: a pellet grill with BBQ pellets.
- You already own a gas grill: add smoke with a smoke tube.
Pellets vs propane
A propane grill heats with gas and adds no wood flavour on its own; a pellet grill burns wood, so the smoke is part of the cooking. Propane heats up faster and needs no electricity; most pellet grills need a power outlet for the auger and fan.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between pellets and charcoal?
Charcoal is wood already burned down to carbon; it gives high heat and a charcoal flavour. Pellets are compressed wood that a pellet grill feeds automatically, giving controlled heat and wood smoke.
Can I use pellets in a charcoal grill?
Yes, as a smoke source: put them in a smoke tube or a foil pouch on the coals. They are not a practical main fuel in a charcoal grill.
Shop BBQ charcoal or BBQ pellets.