Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal Review: Is It Worth It?

If you’re serious about your grilling, if you’ve invested in a kamado or a high-end kettle, and if you’re tired of your fuel letting you down, then yes. You should buy this product. For years, I cycled through the cheap stuff, the hardware store brands, and the dusty bags of broken “lump” that were more like gravel. Then I tried Jealous Devil. It’s an investment, not just a purchase. It’s the premium fuel that your high-performance grill has been begging for, and I’m here to tell you exactly why it’s worth the price of admission.

My Experience With Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal

The first thing that struck me when I picked up a bag of Jealous Devil Chunx was the weight.

This 35-pound bag felt significantly heavier and denser than any other charcoal I’d used before.

The bag itself is a nice touch—it’s thick, weather-resistant, and has a resealable zip-top, which immediately told me this company cares about the user experience.

No more fumbling with binder clips or dumping the whole thing into a plastic bin just to keep it dry.

Upon opening it, I was genuinely impressed. The name “Chunx” is not a marketing gimmick. I was pulling out massive, fist-sized pieces of pure charcoal. They were so large that, for a moment, I wondered if they’d even fit in my chimney starter. Thankfully, the bag had a fantastic mix—plenty of these huge pieces perfect for a long smoke, and a good amount of medium-sized lumps to fill in the gaps. Most importantly, I poured out almost the entire bag over several cooks and found virtually no dust or tiny chips at the bottom. I felt like I was paying for 100% usable fuel, not 80% fuel and 20% waste.

Lighting it was the first test. I’d read it was dense, so I gave it a little extra help—a couple of fire starters instead of my usual one. It definitely took longer to get going, maybe 20 minutes before it was fully ashed over and roaring. But the first thing I noticed was what didn’t happen.

There was no shower of sparks. No loud, startling pops and cracks. It just lit, clean and steady. The smoke it produced was also different. It wasn’t the heavy, acrid smoke of cheap charcoal or the familiar smell of oak or hickory. It was a lighter, slightly sweet, almost perfumed aroma. This is that Quebracho wood everyone talks about, and it was a very pleasant, neutral starting point.

But the heat. Oh, the heat. When I dumped that chimney into my grill and opened the vents, the temperature gauge didn’t just climb; it shot up. I was aiming for a steak sear, and my dome thermometer was pinned past 700°F in minutes. The radiant heat coming off the grates was intense, like nothing I’d experienced before. I got the most incredible, dark, even crust on my steaks in under 90 seconds per side.

The real magic, though, was the burn time. After searing, I shut the vents down to about a quarter-open to see how it would cruise. It settled in at 350°F and just… stayed there. For hours. I easily could have transitioned from searing steaks to roasting a whole chicken without adding a single new piece of charcoal.

On my first low-and-slow cook, a pork shoulder, I loaded up my smoker and was stunned to see it hold 250°F for over 12 hours without me needing to refuel. When I finally finished the cook and shut the vents, I came back the next day to find plenty of reusable charcoal left. And the ash? There was almost none. Just a tiny layer of fine white powder. It was the easiest cleanup I’ve ever had.

Pros Of Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal

• Incredible Heat Output: I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the hottest charcoal I have ever used. The company claims it can reach temperatures over 1,170°F, and I absolutely believe them. As someone who loves a deep, dark, crusty sear on a thick steak, this fuel is a dream come true. You can get your grill grates or a cast-iron pan to temperatures that cheap briquettes or lesser lump brands can only dream of. This high heat means you get a perfect sear in less time, which keeps the inside of your meat from overcooking. It’s a total game-changer for high-temp grilling.
• Exceptional Burn Time: This is the other side of the high-heat coin and, in my opinion, its single best feature. Because the Quebracho wood is so incredibly dense (its nickname is “axe-breaker”), this charcoal burns for an astonishingly long time. For a simple grilling session, you’ll find you have plenty of fuel left over. For low-and-slow smoking, it’s revolutionary. I’ve done 20-hour cooks in my kamado on a single load of Jealous Devil. You can fill your firebox, light it, and genuinely sleep through the night without worrying about your fire dying out. This reliability is priceless for serious barbecue.
• Extremely Low Ash Production: If you own a kamado-style grill like a Big Green Egg or Kamado Joe, you know that ash is your enemy. Too much ash can clog the lower vents and choke out your fire, especially during those long cooks. Jealous Devil produces a fraction of the ash of other brands. I’m talking a tiny, fine, white powder left over after a 12-hour smoke. This means better, more consistent airflow for your grill, and cleanup is ridiculously easy. You’re not scooping out heavy, caked-on ash; you’re just lightly brushing out a small amount of dust.

• Massive And Consistent Chunk Size: When they call their product “Chunx” or “XL,” they mean it. Opening a bag is a satisfying experience. You are greeted with huge, intact pieces of charcoal. This is fantastic for two reasons. First, large pieces promote better airflow in your grill, leading to a cleaner and more stable fire. Second, you are getting what you paid for. Cheaper bags are notorious for being half-full of tiny, unusable scraps and dust. With Jealous Devil, the amount of dust and chips at the bottom of the bag is virtually zero. It feels like every cent you spent is going toward usable, high-quality fuel.
• Clean Burn And Neutral Flavor: This charcoal has no fillers, no chemical binders, and no additives. It is 100% pure hardwood. When it burns, it produces very little smoke, and the smoke it does produce is very mild and pleasant. This is a massive pro. It means you are starting with a blank canvas. The charcoal provides the heat, not an overpowering, acrid, or “off” flavor. This allows you to be in complete control. The flavor of your food will shine, and if you want smoke flavor, you can add your favorite wood chunks (like cherry, apple, or hickory) and get a pure, clean smoke from them, exactly as you intended.
• No Sparks Or Popping: This might sound like a minor point, but if you’ve ever dumped a chimney of cheap charcoal and been met with a dangerous shower of red-hot sparks and loud, cracking pops, you’ll appreciate this. Jealous Devil is incredibly stable. It lights and burns without any of that drama. This makes it feel safer and more controlled, especially if you’re grilling on a wooden deck or in a crowded backyard. It’s just one more sign of the product’s purity and density.

Read more: Comparison Of Nokian WRG4 And WRG5

Cons Of Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal

• The Price Tag
  • It’s A Premium Product: Let’s get this out of the way immediately. This stuff is expensive. You will likely experience sticker shock when you compare a 20- or 35-pound bag of this to the brand-name briquettes or even other lump charcoals sitting next to it. It is, without a doubt, one of the most expensive charcoals on the market.
  • Not For Everyday Grilling: Because of the high cost, I find myself rationing it. I won’t use my Jealous Devil if I’m just grilling a few hot dogs or burgers for a quick weeknight meal. It feels like a waste of its potential and, frankly, a waste of money. I save it for “event” cooks: long brisket smokes, reverse-searing thick-cut ribeyes, or when I’m cooking for a crowd and need absolute reliability. This means you may end up needing to buy two types of charcoal: this for the serious stuff and a cheaper brand for the quick-and-dirty cooks.
• Difficulty Lighting
  • Density Is A Double-Edged Sword: The same incredible density that gives Jealous Devil its legendary burn time also makes it significantly harder to light. You cannot just wave a match at this stuff and expect it to catch. It requires more time and more fuel to get going.
  • Requires More Starters: I find I have to use two or even three fire-starting cubes in my chimney, whereas other brands light up with just one. If you use a paper-in-the-chimney method, you’ll need to pack it more heavily. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s an adjustment. You have to plan on giving it a solid 20-25 minutes to get fully lit and ashed over before you can dump it in your grill. It’s not the fuel you grab when you’re in a hurry.
• Oversized Chunks
  • The “XL” Can Be Too XL: Yes, the massive chunks are a pro, but they can also be a con. Some of the pieces I’ve pulled out of the bag are simply enormous—as large as a grapefruit. These monster chunks don’t fit well in a standard-sized chimney starter.
  • May Require Tools: I’ve often had to arrange the chimney around one or two giant pieces, or—more annoyingly—I’ve had to take a hammer or a small hatchet to break them down into more manageable sizes. This is an extra step I don’t love. If you have a small kettle grill, these huge pieces can also create uneven hot spots or make it difficult to build a two-zone fire.
• The Unique Flavor Profile
  • It’s Not Oak Or Hickory: I listed the neutral flavor as a pro, but for some, it’s a con. Many of us grew up associating barbecue with the specific, smoky-sharp smell of hickory or the mellow, rounded flavor of oak. Jealous Devil, being made from Quebracho, smells nothing like that. It’s a much milder, more “perfumed” smoke.
  • It Demands Wood Chunks: If you’re used to your charcoal providing a heavy smoke flavor, you will be disappointed. This fuel provides pure heat. You must add your own wood chunks or chips if you want any traditional smoke flavor on your food. One user in a forum also noted that if it’s not fully lit, the initial smoke can have a slightly “acidic” tinge, so making sure it’s fully ashed-over is critical.

Maintenance Tips For Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal

• Proper Storage Is Non-Negotiable
  • Moisture Is The Enemy: This is true for all charcoal, but when you’ve paid a premium for Jealous Devil, you need to protect your investment. Moisture will ruin it, making it nearly impossible to light and causing it to smolder and produce dirty smoke.
  • Use An Airtight Container: The resealable bag it comes in is very good, much better than any paper bag. However, I still recommend dumping the charcoal into a dedicated, airtight container. A large plastic tote with a latching lid is perfect. This provides a 100% guarantee against humidity, rain, or morning dew.
  • Store Away From Odors: Charcoal is porous and will act like a filter, absorbing any strong smells around it. Do not store your bag in the garage next to gasoline cans, fertilizer, or paint. Those chemical smells will be absorbed by the charcoal and will transfer directly to your food. Store it in a clean, dry, and neutral-smelling area like a shed or a pantry.
• Mastering The Lighting Process
  • Be Patient And Use More Fuel: As I mentioned in the “cons,” this stuff is dense. Don’t get frustrated. Just plan for it. My go-to method is a chimney starter. I use two natural fire-starter cubes instead of my usual one.
  • Give It Air And Time: Make sure your chimney has good airflow from the bottom. Let it sit for a full 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for the top-most coals to be thoroughly ashed over. If you dump it too early, you’ll have unlit pieces and it will struggle to get up to temp, potentially producing that off-smoke.
  • A Torch Is Your Best Friend: If you really want to speed things up, a propane torch or a specialized grill lighter like a Looftlighter is fantastic. You can directly target the big chunks and get them glowing in a fraction of the time.
• Managing The Volcanic Heat
  • Control Your Vents From The Start: This charcoal gets hotter, faster, than anything you’re used to. It’s much easier to bring the temperature up than it is to bring it down. When you’re aiming for a low-and-slow target like 250°F, start with your vents (both top and bottom) almost closed from the beginning.
  • Sneak Up On Your Temperature: Let the temperature slowly creep up to your target. If you let it run wild and your kamado dome hits 400°F, it will take a very, very long time to cool back down because this charcoal is so efficient. Start low and open your vents just a tiny bit at a time until you lock in your temp.
• Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
  • Don’t Waste The “Leftovers”: Because this charcoal burns for so long, you will almost always have unburnt fuel left after a cook. When you’re done grilling, do not douse the coals with water. This will ruin them.
  • Starve The Fire: Simply close all the vents on your grill or smoker. This cuts off the oxygen and snuffs out the fire. The remaining charcoal will be perfectly preserved and ready for your next cook.
  • The “Shake And Rake” Method: Before your next cook, simply rake the old charcoal to one side, knock off the fine white ash, and add a small amount of new charcoal on top. The old, reusable charcoal will light up quickly and provide a great, stable base for your fire. This practice makes that high price tag feel much more reasonable, as you’re truly using every last bit of the product.

Comparison With Other Brands

• Against Fogo Super Premium: This is probably Jealous Devil’s most direct competitor. Fogo is also a premium, South American hardwood charcoal known for massive chunks and a clean burn. Honestly, the two are incredibly similar. I’ve found that Jealous Devil often has a slight edge in heat—it just feels a little more volcanic when you open the vents. Some users report that Fogo bags can occasionally have more small pieces and dust at the bottom than a bag of Jealous Devil. But both are in the absolute top tier, and your choice between them might simply come down to which one is on sale or available locally. You can’t go wrong with either.
• Against B&B Charcoal: This is another fantastic, high-quality brand, especially their B&B Oak Lump. The biggest difference here is the flavor. B&B Oak provides a much more traditional, forward-facing smoke flavor. If you want your charcoal to do some of the smoke-flavoring work, B&B is a better choice. Jealous Devil is more of a neutral, pure-heat source. In my experience, Jealous Devil burns a bit longer and produces less ash than B&B, but B&B is a pitmaster favorite for a reason and is a rock-solid performer, often at a slightly lower price point.
• Against Kamado Joe Big Block Xl: As the name implies, this is the charcoal designed by a kamado company for kamado grills. Like Jealous Devil, it’s made from a blend of dense South American hardwoods, including Quebracho. The performance is, predictably, almost identical. You get massive chunks, a very long and hot burn, and extremely low ash. If you own a Kamado Joe grill, you might feel a sense of brand loyalty, but in a blind test, I’m not sure I could tell the difference between this and Jealous Devil. My advice is to buy whichever of the two you can find for a better price.
• Against “Budget” Brands (Royal Oak And Cowboy): This isn’t really a fair comparison; it’s a different category entirely. Brands like Royal Oak and Cowboy are what you’ll find in every grocery and hardware store. They are significantly cheaper. But you get what you pay for. A bag of Cowboy, in my experience, is a gamble. You might get a few decent chunks, but you’re just as likely to get a bag full of tiny scraps, dust, and non-charcoal items like rocks, building materials, or uncarbonized wood. They burn fast, produce a ton of ash, and are notorious for sparking and popping dangerously. While Jealous Devil is a clean, reliable, long-burning fuel, these budget brands are inconsistent, messy, and require constant refilling on a long cook.

Also read: My Thoughts on Chemical Guys Carbon Force

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Jealous Devil charcoal produce much ash?

No. It produces extremely low amounts of ash. This is one of its primary selling points. After a long cook, you’ll be left with a very small amount of fine, white powder, which makes cleanup easy and prevents your grill’s vents from getting clogged during a cook.

Conclusion

So, is Jealous Devil Lump Charcoal worth it? After using it for dozens of cooks, my answer is a resounding yes—if you are the right kind of griller. If you’re a casual user just cooking hot dogs, this is expensive overkill. But if you’re a barbecue enthusiast, if you’ve invested in a quality grill, and if you demand performance, consistency, and reliability from your fuel, then you absolutely should buy this product. It will make your grill run hotter, your smokes last longer, and your cleanup easier. It’s a premium product with a premium price, but it delivers premium results every single time.