Briquettes or Lumpwood – the definitive answer…

So, we all know coal is best, but what coal?

I’m a lumpwood man myself, but am I discounting briquettes too readily? Does a chimney make them easier to use / light?

Proper BBQ – lumpwood. Have to use briquettes on the cobb though.

lumpwood. I then add some real wood too for some better flavoured smoke.

Lumpwood sounds better!

tink, tink, tink…

Lumpwood for me. Lit with a chimney starter.

Like Yak’s use of additional wood – might try that.

just make sure you use the right kinds of wood!

Definitely lumpwood unless cooking for several hours… But what do you use?

The best good stuff which is also affordable that I have found is the restaurant grade lumpwood from bookers…

I’m adding oak chippings right now.

Mixture of both, but it depends on how long I’m cooking for. Lump wood I gets very hot quickly but doesn’t last, briquettes even things out a bit.

EDIT: chimney starter and I’ll add some flavouring wood chips too. Applewood last time I did a pork joint. Yum!

I use charcoal if it’s just me and the Wife having a bit of dinner on the BBQ. But if there’s friend’s round and the BBQ is likely to be used for a longer period, then I’ll use briquettes with perhaps some charcoal to get things started quicker.

a mix sounds like a good idea for longer cooks.

I use wood chips, in a little foil open topped pouch for smoke if I’m cooking with indirect heat, really makes the difference for whole chickens, ribs etc….