Let's revisit the charcoal question

yardman5508 · Posted: Jul 10 2011 Post subject: Let's revisit the charcoal question

I vaguely remember reading this discussion somewhere and would like to hear some more thoughts on this. I understand the advantages of lump over briquettes. My current smoker of choice is a WSM {I say current smoker of choice, because I only have two currently and that is no where NEAR enough } and they recommend using briquettes rather than lump. I tend to uise only Kingsford and would like to know what other brands/types folks use that might serve me better. Thanks
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k.a.m. · Posted: Jul 10 2011 Post subject:

yardman5508, for me personally I do not like the taste that kingsford puts off while it is burning in a minion method setup. I do prefer charcoal over lump for overnight cooks as it burns a bit more steady than lump so the chance of bridging or loss of heat are pretty much non existent. When I can find decent lump at a decent price I buy it. As far as charcoal goes I use R/O in the orange bag and have had very good luck with it. R/O also sells a Chefs Best through do-it-best stores but I have to have it dropped shipped as they do not carry it at my store.
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chilehead70301 · Posted: Jul 10 2011 Post subject:

I agree w/KAM. I don't use Kingsford due to the taste it puts out. I like RO lump, which Walmart carries. I've been using Stubbs, which is all natural briquettes. I usually mix the Stubbs with RO Lump as I like the flavor that lump produces.
Check out the Lowes in your area. They are running a sale on Stubbs for $5/bag, which is almost $4 off of the reg price. I think the sale ends tomorrow.
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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 10 2011 Post subject:

I only use Stubbs for starting my fire. It burns clean and consistent with little ash and no dust. Whenever Lowes does a blowout sale I stock up. I've got about 25 bags socked away now. Great stuff!

Inner10 · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Briquettes are alot more dense, therefor they burn for a longer time compared to the same volume of lump. They also won't spike in temperature when exposed to more air for a short period of time. They also produce more ash and a big stack of them will get "smothered" with ash after a long burn.

roxy · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Lump in the WSM is the way to go.. Way less ash and you will have better tasting food than using those nasty Kingford chemical compound pucks..

JFYI.. do a search of what is in them, then ask yourself if you really need all that stuff to make BBQ.
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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Inner10 · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Virginiasmoke, I've never seen Stubbs here all I can find is K, RO, and Natures Grillings.

The NG is the most expensive but the best. Both the NG and the RO have less binders than K and tend to crumble a bit when you re-use them. Still a lot more ash than lump.

Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

What do you mean re-use them?
That's too bad you can't find Stubbs in the Great White North. Sad

I've been using it for about the past year and LOVE it.

keanderson2 · Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Atlanta

Stubb's is good for sure.

However, I like Trader Joe's all natural briquettes the best. It is Trader Joe's labeled Original Charcoal Company Rancher, which has been really popular on this board for those who can find it. I think it's usually $6.99 for 17lbs. Not a bad deal. It runs really well in my ProQ Frontier. There are quite a few Trader Joe's around metro Atlanta, so you should be able to find one without too much trouble. They don't always carry it in the winter though.
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Inner10 · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Beerbecue · Joined: 11 Jul 2011 Posts: 4

I also like trader joes all natural briqs best. I try to stock up enough in the fall to get me thru the winter so I don't have to buy Kingsford.

Oregon smoker · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

I think I have a Trader Joe's near me... I'll give it a try.

1buckie · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Said before & I'll say it again~~>
I use K's a lot.
(But also lump & raw wood for some stuff)
I like that the minerals & parafin & stuff in blue K
drives all the hormones & antibiotics out of the meat.
~~>K

Jarhead · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Nevermind the questionable choice in Kingsford... maybe you should be buying better quality meat. Wink

1buckie · Posted: Jul 11 2011 Post subject:

Jarhead wrote:
I bet you use Match Light and Lighter Fluid also
Virginiasmoke wrote:
Nevermind the questionable choice in Kingsford... maybe you should be buying better quality meat

That's a joke, folks.....
Meat's mostly the same stuff everyone else is using here
Some hi quality butcher's stuff, some Sam's Club, etc.
I use 198 proof isoprophanol to lite.....

~~~~~~~>K

Virginiasmoke · Posted: Jul 12 2011 Post subject:

Oregon smoker · Posted: Jul 12 2011 Post subject:

What about fat side up?... Shocked

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