Primo 100% Natural Lump Charcoal PG00608

What is lump charcoal, and how is it different from briquettes?

Lump charcoal is hardwood burned down in low oxygen until mostly carbon remains, so the pieces are irregular chunks of wood rather than uniform pillows. Briquettes are charcoal dust pressed together with binders and other additives. Lump lights faster, runs hotter when you open the vents, and leaves less ash — which matters in a ceramic grill, where ash builds up around the lower vent.

Will this charcoal work in my Primo Oval Large or Oval XX-Large?

Yes. Lump charcoal is not size-specific, so the same fuel suits every model in the range, from the Round and the Oval Junior up to the Oval XX-Large, along with the All-In-One packages. Larger fireboxes simply take more of it per fill, and a bigger fire holds a steady temperature for longer once it is settled.

How do I light lump charcoal without using lighter fluid?

Set one of the Primo Quick Lights Firestarters down among the pieces near the middle of the firebox, light it, and leave the lid open with the bottom vent fully open until a patch of lump has caught and grayed over. The Primo Electric Charcoal Starter does the same job with a heating element and no consumables. Close the lid, set your vents, and let the temperature come up to where you want it before you cook.

Can I reuse the charcoal left over from my last cook?

Yes, and this is one of the real advantages of a ceramic grill. Shut the top and bottom vents when you are done and the fire smothers itself instead of burning out. Before the next cook, stir the firebox and clear the ash from underneath with an ash tool, then add fresh lump on top of what survived and light it as normal.