Charcoal 101..... Can Somebody Learn Me Something?

[Fishawn]

Like a robot..... I head for the charcoal area...... Grab a bag of Kingsford..... Head to the checkout..... No other thoughts enter my stupid brain...... I have always used Kingsford..... My Pappy used Kingsford..... And most likely, my Pappy's Pappy & Pappy's Pappy's Pappy used Kingsford..... All my friends & relatives use Kingsford, even my neighbors .... (Insert Zombie Walking Kingsford Charcoal Buying Me & Pappy & Friends & Neighbors Icon Here )

ChiSoxJim has mentioned Coconut Shells, which sound interesting, & others I am sure have mentioned other brands or options as well, but fell on deaf ears before......

Not that I don't like the taste of food grilled on Kingsford Charcoal, because I really do. But am I missing something ..... Is there another brand that is superior ? or different ? ..... I have grilled over lump before & its good, just fishing for input & ideas..... What say you ?

[ALX]

Well...Dont get me started on Blue Bag....God Bless........

[blues_n_cues]

"learn to burn"...WOOD..
if it cain't handle the wood- build it bigger....
surely there's an old girl out there that can handle the wood....

[davidmcg]

My input, stay away from the Kingsford Blue unless there is nothing else you can buy. I can clearly taste and smell that the binders in it give off, as well as most of the others on here can attest to. Now, just because we can attest to it dowsn't mean its not used. There are those that swear by it. But you asked for input and thats mine. I prefer lump, RO or its alternate bagged form, Best Choice. I don't remember seeing what kind of smoker you have, but lump burns hotter, cleaner and leaves less ash and "binder taste" in your smoked outcome.

[blues_n_cues]

there's a k-plant 20 miles from my house right next to 3 pine pallet plants...what do you think??
i know... got buds that work there but i'll let ya guess for yourself....

[ALX]

there's a k-plant 20 miles from my house right next to 3 pine pallet plants...what do you think??
i know... got buds that work there but i'll let ya guess for yourself....

I need a Priest,Bull horn and some chinese food........:)

[Fishawn]

My input, stay away from the Kingsford Blue unless there is nothing else you can buy. I can clearly taste and smell that the binders in it give off, as well as most of the others on here can attest to. Now, just because we can attest to it dowsn't mean its not used. There are those that swear by it. But you asked for input and thats mine. I prefer lump, RO or its alternate bagged form, Best Choice. I don't remember seeing what kind of smoker you have, but lump burns hotter, cleaner and leaves less ash and "binder taste" in your smoked outcome.

David.... Thanks for the input ..... I have an electric MES smoker, but I am using the Charcoal in my Weber Kettle...... I will start paying attention & looking for RO, more lump & BC.... Thanks

there's a k-plant 20 miles from my house right next to 3 pine pallet plants...what do you think??
i know... got buds that work there but i'll let ya guess for yourself....

Thanks Rob.... That really says something..... ..... I will be getting me some wood (Hopefully wife included..... )

I need a Priest,Bull horn and some chinese food........

Thanks Jermaine..... I will mail you my Bull Horn..... I think CA is an ordained minister ...... and put some soy sauce on your BLT!

[ALX]

Thanks Jermaine..... I will mail you my Bull Horn..... I think CA is an ordained minister ...... and put some soy sauce on your BLT! [/QUOTE]







I have no problem grilling with already lit blue bag...

Just a minnion style long cook and damn you can taste it....

i use humpreys ...100% hardwood...Charcoal or lump... from pennsylvania... .......

You rock samantha....Keep them britches clean darling.......

[Fishawn]

Thanks Jermaine..... I will mail you my Bull Horn..... I think CA is an ordained minister ...... and put some soy sauce on your BLT!

I have no problem grilling with already lit blue bag...

Just a minnion style long cook and damn you can taste it....

Not gonna toot my own horn...but i use humpreys for basicaly free...100% hardwood...Charcoal or lump... from pennsylvania...Thats a inside deal........

You rock samantha....Keep them britches clean darling.......[/QUOTE]

Thanks Rhonda..... I will change my britches..... (Thanks for reminding me )

Prolly not going to be able to find any Humpreys around here .......Anything else you would suggest?

[ALX]

Thanks Rhonda..... I will change my britches..... (Thanks for reminding me )

Prolly not going to be able to find any Humpreys around here .......Anything else you would suggest?

Some folk like Royal oak....The south american version(check Bags) is known to be harsher/quality control from what i have heard......

[cliffcarter]

Royal Oak at Wal-Mart is made in the USA and is better quality than RO from Paraguay(which I have used) and Argentina, which this guy has used-

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/vi...169c9221f176a2

Others report good results with Frontier lump(Sam's and ACE harware) and Stubbs Briquettes(Lowes)

[curious aardvark]

can't help on brands - but I used to use briquettes for grilling. Soon as I statrted smoking with lump noticed the difference.

Now way will I go back to briquettes - unless them coconut things are as good as they look :-)

[DDave]

Oops. Pressed Enter too early.

See post below.

[chisoxjim]

Kingsford blue bag as a last resort. too much ash(fillers)

I have been using the coconut stuff when I can find it, otherwise Royal Oak lump is the usual fuel.

[DDave]

Well...Dont get me started on Blue Bag....God Bless........

My input, stay away from the Kingsford Blue ,

I have no problem grilling with already lit blue bag...

Just a minnion style long cook and damn you can taste it....

Or in a UDS, Blue Bag stinks like hell while it is lighting.

I use the Kingsford Competition Briquettes. LOVE 'EM! They burn hot, don't stink while they are lighting and produce very little ash.

I used Royal Oak briquettes one time on a long brisket smoke. There was so much damn ash I could barely lift the ash pan out of the drum with out it buckling.

Royal Oak at Wal-Mart is made in the USA and is better quality than RO from Paraguay

Unfortunately, you can't get Royal Oak lump all over the great USA. I have NEVER seen it in a store around here. I don't know about Washington. You can find Lazzari lump around here but just the mesquite which I find a little strong. Lazzari makes oak lump but I've never seen that around here either.

Dave