BBQ Fuels and Starters: The Complete Buying Guide
Charcoal briquettes suit steady, predictable grilling, while lump charcoal lights faster and burns hotter. Choose a chimney or electric starter to light charcoal without lighter fluid, then match smoking wood to the food and grill.
On this page (8 sections)
- Which BBQ fuel should you choose?
- What are the main types of charcoal briquettes?
- How do you light charcoal safely?
- Which wood chips and smoking woods suit your food?
- How should you store charcoal, chips and pellets?
- How do you choose a starter for your grill?
- What should you check before buying BBQ fuel?
- Which BBQ fuel and starter should you choose?
Charcoal briquettes are a practical choice when you want similar-sized pieces that are easy to arrange for steady grilling. Pair them with a chimney or electric starter, and add smoking wood only when you want its flavor.
The right fuel depends on the heat you want, how long you plan to cook and what your grill can burn. This guide covers briquettes, lump charcoal, wood chips, pellets, planks and the starters that get a fire going.
Which BBQ fuel should you choose?
Choose charcoal briquettes for a steady, familiar fire, lump charcoal for a wood-charcoal option, and wood chips or pellets when you want smoke flavor. Check your grill's manual before switching fuels or using smoking accessories.
| Fuel or accessory | Best fit | Check before using |
|---|---|---|
| Charcoal briquettes | A consistent shape for arranging a charcoal fire | Grill compatibility and any additives in the fuel |
| Lump charcoal | Charred wood in irregular pieces | Piece size, storage and the grill's fuel instructions |
| Wood chips | Adding smoke flavor to a suitable grill | Whether to use a smoker box, and whether soaking is recommended |
| BBQ wood pellets | Pellet grills designed for that fuel | Pellet size and the grill maker's approved fuel |
| Cedar planks | Cooking food on a plank over a grill | Food-safe use and the plank maker's soaking directions |
| Charcoal starters | Lighting charcoal without lighter fluid | Tool instructions, safe handling and a suitable outdoor space |
A fuel's label and your grill's manual matter more than broad claims about burn time or heat. Avoid burning treated, painted or unknown wood, and don't use indoor fireplaces or stoves as a reason to burn grilling fuel indoors.
What are the main types of charcoal briquettes?
Most briquettes are uniform pieces made for easy handling and arrangement, but their ingredients and performance vary by brand. Read the package to check what is in the fuel and whether it is intended for your grill.
Some briquettes contain binders or additives that help form and light them. Others are marketed as all-natural or hardwood briquettes; those labels do not replace checking the ingredient information and the grill maker's directions.
Briquettes can be useful when you want similarly sized pieces for setting up direct or indirect heat. Their regular shape makes it easier to space fuel around a charcoal grate than a pile of irregular wood chunks.
Use the fuel amount and arrangement recommended for your grill and cook. For a deeper comparison of cooking smoke and fuel choice, see lump charcoal vs briquettes for smoking.
How do briquettes compare with lump charcoal?
Briquettes offer more uniform shapes, while lump charcoal consists of irregular pieces of charred wood. The differences can affect how easily you arrange a fire and how much sorting you do before cooking.
Lump pieces vary in size, so check the bag and break apart only what your grill's instructions permit. Briquettes may include binders or other ingredients, so check the package if fuel composition matters to you.
Either fuel can work in a charcoal grill that allows it. Choose the one that best fits your grill's instructions and the way you want to manage the fire.
How do you light charcoal safely?
A chimney starter is a simple choice for lighting charcoal without pouring lighter fluid over the fuel. See how to use a Kingsford chimney for the lighting and pouring steps.
An electric starter is another option when you have a suitable power outlet and can follow its instructions.
Set the chimney on a stable, heat-safe surface outdoors, away from dry leaves, structures and foot traffic. Keep children and pets clear, use heat-resistant gloves when handling hot equipment, and pour coals carefully into the grill.
An electric starter heats charcoal directly, so keep its hot element away from hands and combustible surfaces. Follow the tool instructions and disconnect it before setting it down or storing it.
For setup steps and safe handling, read how to use an electric charcoal starter. To compare the two lighting methods, see charcoal starter chimney vs electric.
Should you use a chimney or an electric starter?
Choose a chimney if you want to light a batch of charcoal with a fire starter beneath it. Choose an electric starter if you have access to power and prefer a tool that applies heat directly to the coals.
A chimney has no power cord, but it holds hot coals and needs careful handling when you pour them. An electric starter avoids a separate fire starter but depends on safe electrical use and a cool-down period before storage.
The best electric charcoal starter guide compares electric options, while the best large charcoal starter chimney guide focuses on chimney capacity. Keep starter tools outdoors and follow their own use and care directions.
Is a long lighter useful for charcoal?
A long lighter can light fire cubes or other approved fire starters beneath a chimney, keeping your hand farther from the flame. It does not replace the chimney or electric starter, and it should be used only as its maker directs.
Keep lighters away from children and store them away from heat. Never use a lighter to ignite spilled fuel or to relight a grill that may contain built-up gas.
Which wood chips and smoking woods suit your food?
Choose smoking wood by how strong a smoke flavor you want, then use a modest amount and adjust on later cooks. Wood type, chip size, food and cooking time all affect the result.
Fruit woods such as apple and cherry are often chosen for a milder smoke character. For food pairings, see cherry wood smoking guide.
Hickory has a stronger profile that can suit foods that stand up to it, but taste is personal and smoke can overwhelm food if you use too much.
For options and flavor pairings, see best wood chips and best wood for BBQ smoking. If you want to learn about wood species and flavor, our guide to types of hickory wood explains how the name covers more than one variety.
Can you use wood chips in a gas grill?
You can use wood chips in some gas grills when the manual allows a smoker box or another approved method. Don't put loose chips over a burner unless the grill maker specifically permits it.
A smoker box keeps chips contained and helps direct smoke through the cooking area. Start with a small amount, keep the grill ventilated as designed, and avoid opening the lid more than needed.
Our how to use wood chips in a gas grill guide covers placement and setup. The right approach depends on the grill's burner layout and accessories.
Are wood pellets the same as wood chips?
No. BBQ pellets are compressed fuel made for pellet grills and compatible equipment, while wood chips are small pieces commonly used to add smoke in other grill types.
Use pellets made for cooking, not heating pellets. Their ingredients and intended use may differ, so check the bag and grill manual before loading them.
Compare fuel options in best BBQ wood pellets. If you're using chips instead, keep them dry and follow the grill's advice on soaking or placing them.
When does a cedar plank make sense?
A cedar plank gives food a surface to cook on and can add cedar aroma during grilling. Use a plank made for cooking, prepare it as directed, and keep an eye on it over the heat.
Soaking requirements vary, so follow the plank maker's directions rather than assuming every board needs the same preparation. Don't leave a plank unattended over a live fire.
See how to use cedar planks for grilling for setup and handling details.
How should you store charcoal, chips and pellets?
Keep fuel dry and protected from rain, since damp charcoal, chips and pellets may be harder to use. Use a covered container in a ventilated storage area and keep it away from heat and ignition sources.
Store different fuel types separately so you can identify them and keep pellets from absorbing moisture. Keep bags or containers closed between uses, and don't store fuel where it can block a doorway or escape route.
If you also use a vacuum jar sealer, its jars can help with some dry ingredients, but charcoal and wood fuel need storage suited to their bulk and intended use. Our guide explains how to use a FoodSaver vacuum jar sealer.
How do you choose a starter for your grill?
Pick a starter based on the fuel you use, your cooking volume and the setup available near the grill. A chimney works without electricity, while an electric starter needs a suitable outlet and careful cord placement.
A basic chimney can suit occasional grilling and small batches. A larger chimney can help when you regularly cook for a crowd, but choose a size that fits the grill and is manageable when full.
An electric model may suit cooks who want to avoid lighter fluid. Check the cord length, instructions and safe place to rest the tool while it cools.
What should you check before buying BBQ fuel?
Check grill compatibility, fuel ingredients and storage needs before choosing a bag or accessory. Product names alone don't tell you whether a fuel fits your grill or cooking plan.
- Read your grill manual for approved fuels and smoking accessories.
- Check ingredient information if you want to avoid certain additives.
- Choose a quantity you can keep dry and use before it degrades.
- Match chip or pellet size to the equipment.
- Keep starters and fuel away from children, pets and ignition sources.
- Follow the fuel maker's directions for lighting, use and disposal.
For charcoal, think about how much you need for a typical cook and how you want to arrange the fire. For smoking wood, begin with less than you think you need and build from there on later cooks.
Which BBQ fuel and starter should you choose?
Choose briquettes and a chimney if you want familiar, evenly shaped charcoal and don't need an outlet. Choose lump charcoal if you prefer irregular charred wood pieces, and choose an electric starter if powered ignition fits your setup.
Add chips or pellets only when they're compatible with your grill and the smoke flavor suits the food. Use a cedar plank for plank cooking, and keep all fuels dry and handled according to their instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Are charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal better?
Briquettes are a practical choice when you want pieces of similar size that are easy to arrange for a steady fire. Lump charcoal is made from charred wood and varies more in shape and size.
Choose based on the heat control, fire duration and cleanup you need, and follow your grill maker's fuel guidance.
Do you need lighter fluid to start charcoal briquettes?
No. A chimney starter with a fire starter beneath it or an electric charcoal starter can light briquettes without lighter fluid.
Use each tool as directed, keep the grill outdoors, and wait until the coals are ready before cooking.
What wood chips should you use for smoking?
Choose a smoking wood whose flavor suits the food, then start with a small amount because smoke can become strong quickly. Fruit woods tend to be milder, while hickory has a stronger flavor.
Check your grill's instructions for whether chips should be dry or soaked.
Can you use wood chips in a gas grill?
Yes, if your grill's instructions allow it and you contain the chips in a smoker box or other suitable accessory. Keep chips away from burners unless the grill maker says otherwise, and avoid loose chips that could block airflow or fall onto a burner.
How should you store charcoal and smoking wood?
Store charcoal, pellets and wood chips in a dry, covered place, away from rain and ground moisture. Keep fuel away from open flames and household living areas, and use sealed containers that protect it from dampness while still following the fuel maker's storage directions.
