If you’re considering stepping up your grilling game, let me tell you—Cowboy lump charcoal should be on your radar. As someone who enjoys backyard BBQs and experimenting with smokers, I’ve found this all-natural, hardwood lump charcoal to be a real game-changer.
In this article, I’ll share my experiences with Cowboy lump charcoal—its strengths, its shortcomings, and the tricks I’ve learned along the way to get the best results. Stick around, because by the end, I hope you’ll see why this could be the perfect match for your grilling adventures.
My Experience With Cowboy Lump Charcoal
When it comes to cooking over an open flame, you can’t beat lump charcoal.
And Cowboy lump charcoal, in particular, has been a reliable choice for me over the years.
I’ve been using it for a while now—mainly for my Weber grill and smoker—and I’ve always enjoyed the great flavor it imparts on food, the consistent heat, and the fact that it’s eco-friendly.
This charcoal is made from a mix of hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple—natural stuff that burns clean and leaves very little ash. I’m always impressed with how quickly it lights up without the need for lighter fluid and how it keeps temperatures high for direct searing or low and steady for a good smoke.
The first thing I noticed when opening the bag is the variety of chunk sizes—some pieces are quite large, while others are small. This can be a blessing and a bit of a frustration, depending on how you look at it.
But overall, I’ve come to appreciate having larger chunks that are easy to break down for longer, consistent heat.
The Pros of Cowboy Lump Charcoal
Let’s go over the positives, and trust me, there are plenty of them:
- All-Natural Hardwood
Cowboy lump charcoal is all-natural, which is a big deal for anyone who likes to keep it as clean and green as possible.
The hardwood mix—mainly oak, hickory, and maple—ensures no funky flavors get into your food.
You’re left with that beautiful, smoky aroma that enhances the taste of whatever you’re grilling or smoking.
Unlike briquettes, there are no added chemicals, so what you get is pure hardwood with none of the strange odors that lighter fluids or additives tend to bring.
- Fast Ignition and High Heat
One thing I really appreciate about Cowboy lump charcoal is how quickly it lights up. I don’t need to spend ages waiting for it to start glowing. Just a few crumpled-up paper towels underneath, and I’m good to go.
It’s easy to light and gets up to high heat fast—perfect when I’m searing steaks at 500 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Not only that, but it reaches that high heat in less time compared to some other brands I’ve tried.
- Long-Lasting Burn and Minimal Ash
Cowboy lump charcoal lasts longer than I expected, which is ideal for long smoking sessions—think brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. For direct grilling, it holds steady heat, allowing me to keep things sizzling without constantly tending to the fire.
It also burns cleaner, leaving minimal ash. With less mess to clean up afterward, I’m able to kick back and enjoy the BBQ instead of worrying about ash disposal.
- Environmentally Sustainable
Cowboy lump charcoal is produced from renewable resources. I like knowing that what I’m using is eco-friendly, and that’s especially true for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s a small step toward sustainability, but it adds up, and that makes me feel good about choosing this product.
The Cons of Cowboy Lump Charcoal
No product is perfect, and Cowboy lump charcoal has its drawbacks as well. Here’s what I’ve noticed over time:
- Inconsistent Size of Lumps: When you open a bag of Cowboy lump charcoal, you’ll quickly notice the irregularity in the size of the pieces. Some chunks are massive, while others are small and almost dust-like. While the larger chunks are great for long burns, the smaller ones can fall through the chimney starter and make things a bit messy. It’s not uncommon to get a bag that has a higher ratio of tiny pieces, which may affect how easily you can stack the charcoal.
- Sparks and Popping: Another aspect that’s worth mentioning is the amount of sparking and popping that occurs during the initial burn. It’s especially noticeable when starting the charcoal in a chimney starter—sparks fly everywhere, and I’ve had to be careful, especially on windy days. I’d recommend keeping a safe distance until it has settled into a steady burn.
- Availability of Consistent Quality: Although I’ve mostly had positive experiences with Cowboy lump charcoal, the quality can vary from bag to bag. There have been times when I opened a bag only to find smaller, unusable pieces and lots of dust. However, these occurrences are relatively rare and don’t deter me from using the product altogether.
How To Get The Most Out of Cowboy Lump Charcoal?
Getting the best results out of Cowboy lump charcoal isn’t rocket science, but there are a few techniques that help maximize its potential.
- Use a Chimney Starter: A chimney starter is your best friend when using Cowboy lump charcoal. It allows the charcoal to light evenly and reach the right temperature without needing to use lighter fluid. I’ve found that crumpled paper towels dipped in used cooking oil (collected in a tin can) work wonders for lighting the chimney. It’s a sustainable way to get things going, and you don’t have to worry about any off flavors from lighter fluid.
- Proper Ventilation: Make sure your grill vents are adjusted appropriately to achieve the desired cooking temperature. If I’m searing steaks, I open the bottom and top vents completely for maximum airflow and heat. When smoking meats low and slow, I partially close the vents to maintain a stable temperature of around 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Cowboy lump charcoal is responsive to these adjustments, making it easy to control the temperature with just a bit of practice.
- Break Down Larger Chunks: If you open a bag and find massive chunks, don’t hesitate to break them into smaller, more manageable pieces. This helps in spreading out the heat evenly and ensuring all the charcoal burns at a similar rate. A hammer or a firm stomp does the trick quite easily—just make sure to do it on a hard surface to avoid damaging anything.
- Keep the Grill Lid Closed: When cooking with Cowboy lump charcoal, I always remind myself to keep the grill lid closed as much as possible. This helps maintain even temperatures and reduces the chances of flare-ups. Every time the lid opens, heat escapes, and the charcoal must work harder to bring it back up, reducing its overall efficiency.
- Reuse Remaining Charcoal: One of my favorite tricks is to reuse any leftover charcoal from a previous cook. Once I’m done grilling, I close the vents to snuff out the fire and save any unburned lumps for the next session. They still light easily and add value, saving me from using an entirely new batch every time I want to fire up the grill.
Cowboy Lump Charcoal Vs. Other Brands
It’s fair to say that Cowboy lump charcoal isn’t the only player in the game—there are plenty of other brands competing for your BBQ dollars. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against some of the more popular choices.
- Cowboy Vs. Royal Oak Lump Charcoal
Royal Oak lump charcoal is a solid competitor to Cowboy. The most noticeable difference is in the consistency of the lump sizes.
Royal Oak generally has more uniform pieces, which makes handling it a bit easier, especially when loading a chimney starter.
However, both brands offer similar burn times and provide that clean, smoky flavor we all love.
If you prefer more consistent lump sizes, Royal Oak might be your choice, but Cowboy offers a comparable experience at a reasonable price.
- Cowboy Vs. Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal
Jealous Devil is often regarded as a premium brand, and it’s easy to see why.
The chunks are large, consistent, and produce very little ash.
The long-lasting heat and consistent burn quality make it ideal for extended smoking sessions.
However, Jealous Devil comes at a higher price point compared to Cowboy.
While Cowboy may not have the same level of refinement or uniformity, it’s more budget-friendly and readily available.
If you’re looking for an affordable option for your everyday grilling, Cowboy is a great choice. If you need something for a special occasion or a long cook, Jealous Devil could be worth the splurge.
- Cowboy Vs. Nature Fresh Bamboo Charcoal
Nature Fresh Bamboo Charcoal is an interesting alternative to traditional hardwood charcoal.
It’s made from bamboo, which is renewable and environmentally friendly.
Nature Fresh burns clean and produces less smoke, making it a good option if you’re looking for something with a smaller carbon footprint.
However, bamboo charcoal doesn’t reach the same high temperatures as Cowboy lump charcoal, which may limit its use for high-heat searing.
Cowboy’s blend of hardwoods delivers the intense heat needed for a great sear, while Nature Fresh is better suited for gentle grilling or smoking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely. Cowboy lump charcoal is great for smoking thanks to its blend of oak, hickory, and maple, which provides a clean, smoky flavor without any additives. It burns consistently, which is perfect for keeping a steady temperature during long smoking sessions.
Cowboy lump charcoal is known for its long burn time, especially when larger chunks are used. For smoking, it can last several hours with proper airflow control. For grilling, it holds a high temperature for around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much charcoal you use.
Cowboy lump charcoal is made from a blend of hardwoods, including oak, hickory, and maple. These types of wood are popular for grilling and smoking because they produce a consistent burn and add a rich, smoky flavor to your food.
Cowboy charcoal is made by Duraflame, Inc., a company that’s well-known for its line of fire-starting products. Duraflame focuses on providing eco-friendly, sustainable options for cooking and heating, which aligns well with Cowboy’s all-natural approach to lump charcoal.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, Cowboy lump charcoal delivers everything I need for a successful grilling or smoking session. It’s all-natural, easy to light, and provides consistent heat with minimal ash.
If you’re looking for an affordable and eco-friendly option for your next BBQ, Cowboy lump charcoal is definitely worth a try. Trust me—once you give it a go, you’ll see why it’s been my go-to choice for outdoor cooking.