What Is the Best Charcoal for Summer Cookouts?
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Goal:Find the best charcoal for your Fourth of Julycookout.Grill mastersfrom around the country turned us away from compressed briquettes (too many additives) and toward pure hardwood lump charcoal, which can burn hotter and produces more of a savory, smoky flavor.
The Verdict:The charred hickory, maple, walnut, and oak chunks in a bag of Royal Oak hardwood lump charcoal are all irregular in shape and size. That’s the point. The wood gets burned down to its natural charcoal state without any accelerants or fillers, so cooking with these is about the closest you’ll get to chopping down your own tree. That means the burn time can be irregular too, but these get hot enough to sear a steak in just about 15 minutes — no synthetic lighter fluid required.
New! You can now save this product for later.
In ourpro guide to grilling, Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama recommended having theWeber Chimney Starteron hand to heat up your charcoal: “Using a charcoal chimney is the easiest way to light your barbecue grill. This large-capacity chimney made by Weber holds plenty of charcoal to get your grill hot, while protecting your hands from the extreme heat.”
*This article appears in the June 26, 2017, issue ofNew YorkMagazine.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestwomen’s jeans,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,ultra-flattering pants, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links,New Yorkmay earn an affiliate commission.
