Lump charcoal can be tricky to find , but it's worth it if you do . It burns hotter than briquettes , and much cleaner . Because lump burns hotter you can close the damper more and get a longer burn time . The best part is that it's all natural , no chemicals or fillers , just wood . You don't really even need lighter fluid to light it , although it makes it easier. Check around the discount grocers near you and see if any carry the "Best Choice" brand line , if they do but don't stock the charcoal they could still order it for you . Larger chain stores that carry a variety of charcoal brands may have some lump as well . If all else fails you could also make some , it's just hardwood that has been burnedin alow oxygenenvironment so that it chars instead of completely burning up . You can find directions for how to do it with a Google search . I still keep some Kingsford on hand because I bought a bag just before finding a lump source , but that's about the only reason anymore .