It is used in purifying and refining metals and in the gas masks that were used during the Gulf War. Activated charcoal is used as an antidote for many types of poisons and is touted as an effective anti- flatulent. Natural charcoal heats faster than briquettes, so food can be cooked over natural charcoal within 5 to 7 minutes after lighting. Lump charcoal can be lit sans lighter fluid and with just a match and some newspaper which means no off-flavors. One pound of hardwood charcoal produces the equivalent heat of two pounds of briquette charcoal.
Current price is nearly twice that of briquettes.
Lump charcoal is bulkier, has odd shapes, and crushes more easily. It tends to become dusty and flakes-off. Most charcoal manufacturers sell their product as a briquette. This market has been dominated by several companies to include Kingsford , Embers , and Royal Oak . An entrepreneur hoping to survive in the charcoal industry will require originality and very good and aggressive marketing.