Top 5 Charcoal Briquettes for Grilling: Reviews and Comparisons

Craving that perfectly seared steak or smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs? The secret weapon in your grilling arsenal might just be your charcoal briquettes for grilling. These uniform little nuggets are the workhorses of the grilling world, delivering consistent heat and a smoky kiss to your food. But with so many charcoal briquette for grilling brands out there, choosing the right one can feel like a grilling mystery. 

Don’t fret, barbecue aficionados. We’ve sifted through the coals to bring you the top 5 charcoal briquettes on the market. This guide will break down each brand, comparing factors like lighting ease, burning time, and the impact on flavor. 

WILD Traeger Smoked Chuck Roast Story

When Do Weber Grills Go On Sale? The Best Time For Clearance Deals Story

What is the Weber GS4 High Performance Grilling System? Story

Weber Wood Pellets Review: Are They Any Good? Story

Weber Summit S 470 Review {2021, Not Worth the Money} Story

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a weekend grilling warrior, we’ll help you find the perfect charcoal briquettes for grilling to elevate your next cookout to delicious new heights. So, grab your tongs, get ready to stoke the fire, and dive into the world of top-notch briquettes. 

Top 5 Charcoal Briquettes for Grilling 

• Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes 

• Weber 17590168, Black, Briquettes 

• Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes 

• Kingsford Match Light Instant Charcoal Briquettes 

• B & B Charcoal 00073 Organic Oak Charcoal Briquettes 

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes  

Check Product →

A go-to option, Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes are a 16-pound bag made in the USA with natural ingredients. Charcoal briquettes for grilling enthusiasts appreciate their fast lighting, hot burning, and classic smoky flavor. 

Here are some of the features of this product: 

• Made with 100% natural ingredients, including real wood, for a classic barbecue flavor 

• Sure Fire Grooves for faster lighting, typically ready to cook on in about 15 minutes 

• Long-lasting heat for even cooking 

• Less ash for easier cleanup 

Weber 17590168, Black, Briquettes  

Check Product →

This 4kg bag of black briquettes is another great choice for charcoal briquettes for grilling. Made from compressed wood chunks, Weber briquettes are easy to light, burn for around 3 hours, and deliver consistent heat. They’re also crafted using waste wood, making them an eco-friendly option. 

Here are some of its features: 

• Easy to light: Weber briquettes are designed to be easy to light, reaching full glow in about 20 minutes. 

• Long burning: They provide consistent heat for over 3 hours, making them ideal for most grilling sessions. 

• Natural wood flavor: Made from beech, hornbeam, and oak wood with no added chemicals, these briquettes impart a natural wood flavor to your grilled food. 

• Made from waste wood: Weber uses waste wood to create these briquettes, making them an eco-friendly option. 

Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes 

Check Product →

Embrace sustainable grilling with Olivette’s USDA certified charcoal briquettes for grilling. Made entirely from recycled olive tree leftovers, these briquettes burn clean with a pleasant olive aroma, perfect for adding a unique touch to your grilled dishes. 

The advertised features of these Organic Charcoal Briquettes with USDA Organic Certification are: 

• Made from recycled olive tree byproducts: These briquettes are made from sustainable materials like olive pits, pulp, and pruning branches, making them an eco-friendly choice. 

• USDA Organic Certified: This certification ensures the charcoal meets strict organic standards and doesn’t contain synthetic additives. 

• Smoke-free: These briquettes are claimed to produce minimal smoke, which can be a benefit for flavor and reduce inhalation of potentially harmful fumes. 

• Pleasant aroma: The olive wood is said to impart a pleasant scent while burning. 

• Heats well: These briquettes should provide good heat for grilling, fireplaces, and even saunas. 

• Tastes better: Since there are no chemical additives, the idea is that the food won’t pick up any off flavors. 

Kingsford Match Light Instant Charcoal Briquettes  

Check Product →

Kingsford’s Match Light briquettes are ideal for effortless grilling. Forget lighter fluid and messy startups – these charcoal briquettes for grilling ignite quickly, reaching grilling temperature in just 10 minutes, all while delivering a rich, smoky flavor to your food. 

Here are the features of Kingsford Match Light Instant Charcoal Briquettes, 12 lbs bag: 

• Fast and Easy Lighting: No lighter fluid or starters needed. These briquettes are infused with a small amount of lighter fluid and feature Kingsford’s Sure-Fire Grooves for faster lighting. You can simply light a match and grill it in about 10 minutes. 

• Ready to Cook in 10 Minutes: These briquettes are designed to be ready to cook in about 10 minutes after lighting, which is significantly faster than traditional charcoal. 

• Smoky Flavor: Kingsford Match Light Instant Charcoal Briquettes are made with natural ingredients and real wood, which means they will still impart that delicious smoky flavor to your grilled food. 

• Convenience: These briquettes come in a 12-pound bag, which is a good size for most grilling sessions. They are also easy to store and transport. 

• Kingsford Quality: These briquettes are made by Kingsford, a well-known and trusted brand in charcoal grilling. 

B & B Charcoal 00073 Organic Oak Charcoal Briquettes 

Check Product →

B & B Charcoal offers an 8.8-pound bag of organic oak charcoal briquettes for grilling. These high-quality briquettes are perfect for competition use due to their slow burn and strong smoky flavor 

Based on the product description, here are the features of B & B Charcoal 00073 Organic Oak Charcoal Briquettes: 

• Weight: 8.8 Lbs 

• Material: 100% natural oak charcoal with no additives 

• Burns hotter, longer and cleaner: This means that you’ll get a more consistent cook and less ash to deal with. 

• Organic certified: You can be sure that you’re getting a high-quality product that’s good for the environment. 

• Adds authentic wood smoke flavor for a winning dish: Oak is a great hardwood for grilling because it imparts a delicious smoky flavor to your food. 

Choosing the Right Charcoal Briquettes for Grilling 

This guide categorized the briquettes based on different priorities to help you decide: 

Focus on Convenience: 

• Kingsford Match Light: Easiest to light with built-in accelerant, ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for impatient grillers. (12 lbs) 

• Kingsford Original & Weber Briquettes: Light in 15-20 minutes, good balance of convenience and traditional charcoal experience. (16 lbs & 4kg) 

• B&B Charcoal & Olivette: Require a chimney starter or lighter fluid for ignition, take longer to preheat. (8.8 lbs & varies) 

Focus on Sustainability: 

• Olivette: Made from recycled olive tree parts, USDA certified organic, minimal smoke. (weight varies) 

• B&B Charcoal: 100% natural oak, organic certification ensures eco-friendly sourcing. (8.8 lbs) 

• Kingsford Original & Weber: Made with natural ingredients, but not explicitly eco-friendly. (16 lbs & 4kg) 

• Kingsford Match Light: Contains lighter fluid for quick ignition, which is less eco-friendly. (12 lbs) 

Focus on Flavor: 

• B&B Charcoal: Oak provides a strong, smoky flavor, ideal for competitive BBQ. (8.8 lbs) 

• Kingsford Original & Weber: Classic smoky flavor for traditional barbecue. (16 lbs & 4kg) 

• Olivette: Imparts a subtle olive aroma, good for those seeking a milder smoke. (weight varies) 

• Kingsford Match Light: Delivers smoky flavor despite lighter fluid, but some may find it less pronounced. (12 lbs) 

Focus on Burn Time: 

• B&B Charcoal: Slow burn for long cooking sessions (3+ hours). (8.8 lbs) 

• Weber: Consistent heat for over 3 hours. (4kg) 

• Kingsford Original: Long-lasting heat for even cooking. (16 lbs) 

• Kingsford Match Light & Olivette: Burn time may vary, not explicitly advertised. (12 lbs & varies) 

Focus on Price: 

• Kingsford Original & Weber: Generally affordable and widely available. (16 lbs & 4kg) 

• B&B Charcoal: May be more expensive due to quality and organic certification. (8.8 lbs) 

• Olivette: Potentially pricier due to eco-friendly sourcing and performance claims. (weight varies) 

• Kingsford Match Light: Convenient but may cost slightly more than traditional briquettes. (12 lbs)  

Conclusion  

This guide provided a comprehensive overview of the top 5 charcoal briquettes for grilling, categorized by various factors to simplify your choice. Whether you prioritize convenience, sustainability, flavor, burn time, or price, this guide has you covered. With this information, you can select the perfect charcoal briquettes to elevate your next grilling experience and impress your barbecue guests. 

FAQs 

1. What are the different types of charcoal briquettes for grilling?

The text describes two main types: 

• Fast-lighting briquettes: These are ideal for convenience, igniting quickly with a match or lighter fluid (e.g., Kingsford Match Light). 

• Traditional briquettes: These require a chimney starter or lighter fluid and take longer to preheat (e.g., Kingsford Original, Weber Briquettes). 

2. What factors should I consider when choosing charcoal briquettes?

The guide recommends considering these factors: 

• Convenience: How quickly do you need the briquettes to light? 

• Sustainability: Are eco-friendly materials and production methods important to you? 

• Flavor: What kind of smoke flavor do you want to impart to your food? 

• Burn time: How long do you need the briquettes to burn for your grilling session? 

• Price: How much are you willing to spend? 

3. What are the advantages of Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes?

• Made in the USA with natural ingredients for a classic smoky flavor. 

• Fast lighting (ready in 15 minutes) and long-lasting heat. 

• Less ash for easier cleanup. 

• Affordable and widely available. 

4. What are the unique features of Olivette Organic Charcoal Briquettes?

• Made from sustainable recycled olive tree leftovers. 

• USDA certified organic and burns clean with minimal smoke. 

• Imparts a pleasant olive aroma to grilled food. 

5. Why might I choose B & B Charcoal 00073 Organic Oak Charcoal Briquettes?

• Perfect for competition grilling due to their slow burn (3+ hours) and strong smoky flavor. 

• Made from 100% natural oak charcoal with no additives. 

• Organic certification ensures eco-friendly sourcing.