I'm not sure how to go about an official poll but after looking at Dave's new controller thread I thought I'd ask for some feedback on charcoal.

Question is......... Lump or briquettes?

I like how good quality lump burns, clean and hot, but I can see briquettes burning more consistently since the pile better and interlock better.

So, members of the Drum Corps what say you??????????????

I use lump, I just don't like the taste of briquettes

I'm a lump guy myself. :bounce:

I use lump, I just don't like the taste of briquettes

haven't got a uds - but that would be my answer too.

Though I think I'll try and track down some of the coconut shell briquettes this year and try that out.

learn to run both, then you can use whatever is cheaper, or whatever the occasion calls for.

Later,
Andy

r.o.lump here but sometimes for a longer burn like brisket i may do a bed of lump & pile briqettes on top.

1st choice: Coshell Briquettes
2nd Choice: Royal Oak Lump
Desperate Choice: Kingsford Blue Bag

Kingsford Competition and Lump.

learn to run both, then you can use whatever is cheaper, or whatever the occasion calls for.


I wouldn't use whatever is cheaper. You can taste the difference between lump and briquettes.

I use RO Lump and Kingsford Comp briquettes.

Used to use Kingsford Comp all the time til I found a source for RO lump. Briguettes burn more consistently because of the uniform size, BUT the lump provides much better taste in a UDS IMHO. The lump is just a bit more erratic due to it's variable chunk size.

I don't think it matters as much when your lighting them all off before you start such as with grilling OR if I'm doing chicken on the UDS, the whole load is pretty much lit before the meat goes on.

But for a long UDS burn where more fuel is constantly igniting in small amounts, seems that lump provides better flavor.

Dave

I do love me lump, butt I have been having great success with Stubb's Hardwood Briquets in my WSM... nice even heat, plus low ash content. :thumb:

yep... stubbs is good stuff. i try to get it whenever its on sale... better flavor than the kingsford. doesn't seem to last as long, but when you can get it for $3 or $4 per 18 lb bag, you can't complain too much.

Dave, when i said "cheaper", don't get me wrong... NEVER sacrifice quality... but if there is a choice and you don't notice a big flavor difference, or can work with it, then sure, go ahead and save a couple bucks. that's all.

Later,
Andy

I have been having great success with Stubb's Hardwood Briquets in my WSM... nice even heat, plus low ash content. :

where can you buy this at?

I use the blue bag, but NEVER without being fully ignited, then throw some oak on top.

R.O. lump and or Kingsford Comp

I use lump, I just don't like the taste of briquettes

Have you tried it with a little sauce on it? :whistle::lol:

where can you buy this at?

Lowes. brown bag, looks like it'd have lump in it, but it's almost a hybrid... they are still briquettes, but they have bigger, coarser grains, rather than a tight, smooth dusty composition like kingsford.

Lowes. brown bag, looks like it'd have lump in it, but it's almost a hybrid... they are still briquettes, but they have bigger, coarser grains, rather than a tight, smooth dusty composition like kingsford.

thanks for the source.

lump or preburning at the time of cooking... nothing, and I mean NOTHING, beats the taste of food cooked/smoked over shovels full of hot coals...

NEVER sacrifice quality... but if there is a choice and you don't notice a big flavor difference, or can work with it, then sure, go ahead and save a couple bucks

Good point. :thumb:

Lowes. brown bag, looks like it'd have lump in it, but it's almost a hybrid.

Hmm . . . I'll have to give it a try. :thumb:

Dave

Special K for the kettle, that's about all I see around here :noidea:

yep... stubbs is good stuff. i try to get it whenever its on sale... better flavor than the kingsford. doesn't seem to last as long, but when you can get it for $3 or $4 per 18 lb bag, you can't complain too much.

Later,
Andy

I use this is my Kettle. Got in on the last 2fer sale @ Lowes:thumb:



http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/754087/754087710153lg.jpg




Stubb's 15lbs. All-Natural Charcoal Briquets

Item #: 297978 | Model #: 42815

Overall Rating:
http://reviews.lowes.com/0534/4_4/5/rating.gif

$8.49

I use both.

I go on a lump only kick, then one day I'll run out, and have the urge for the low maintenance of a briquette.

I dont think there's any bad flavor associated with the briquettes, usually I keep a decent amount of wood chunks in it for smoke.

I'd say i'm probably 60/40 lump to briquettes, but I like them both

Briqs for grilling as i get it free.....Lump anytime i minnion etc...I just break pieces uniform...

Anyone ever make their own Charcoal ? If you have some land with wood on it
I bet it could be a good winter project. Just Googled "Making Charcoal" and
noticed a bunch of "how to" plans and tutorials. Most don't appear to be much more difficult to build than some of the smokers built and used here.

Just a thought.

Drum or not... lump is a superior product as far as I have experienced. Tap your basket to settle it in. Better temps and longer times, along with alot less "artificials" in there.

Look at your ash pile. Why is it that big???

Drum or not... lump is a superior product as far as I have experienced. Tap your basket to settle it in.

Probably also taking a little time to break up the bigger chunks when you're loading the basket would help too. :thumb:

Kind of like packing a parachute I guess. A bit more attention during the early stage makes the later stage a whole lot smoother. :lol:

Dave

Kind of like packing a parachute I guess. A bit more attention during the early stage makes the later stage a whole lot smoother. :lol:


Hmm..perhaps... altho having to re-load the basket seems a much less dire consequence :sweating:

I really like the Lazzari Mesquite Lump. Topped with some apple or pecan chunks.

Don't know what's in the pressed cube

2/3 lump and 1/3 kingsford competiton

I'm cool with K...On the Drum i'll Jack it up with some Oak chunks...

Hmm..perhaps... altho having to re-load the basket seems a much less dire consequence :sweating:

That's true. But you don't get a chance to reload until the smoke is over.

Well, unless you build one with a door. :whistle: :lol:

Dave

Anyone ever make their own Charcoal ? If you have some land with wood on it
I bet it could be a good winter project. Just Googled "Making Charcoal" and
noticed a bunch of "how to" plans and tutorials. Most don't appear to be much more difficult to build than some of the smokers built and used here.

Just a thought.

i have

Briquettes because lump is harder to control temps and doesnt seem to last as long imo. Lump in reg grill all the way.

Best Choice Lump period (plus it's made by RO)... I tried Cowboy lump back in the winter of 2008 once.. Never bought it again.. Took 10 minutes to put out the grass fire in my yard when that chit started popping..

just be glad you have grass in the winter ken! lol

Best choice... that's sam's club/walmart brand isn't it? i can't remember for sure... i wasn't sure that RO made theirs.

Later,
Andy

just be glad you have grass in the winter ken! lol

Best choice... that's sam's club/walmart brand isn't it? i can't remember for sure... i wasn't sure that RO made theirs.

Later,
Andy
Best Choice Lump period (plus it's made by RO)...
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag34.htm