bbq charcoal

[theribdoctor]

For those of us that enjoy low and slow(or is that high and fast) real bbqing. What charcoal do you tend to get, and I know people swear by Kingsford, and it does work. But its full of all sorts of chemicals that i'd rather not put in my food. The Lummp charcoal database is full of great info, but as a cheap SOB, I just don't want to ship a pallet of coal, and or ship a couple bags worth from another location.

I typically go with Royal oak, purchased from wally world, it's always available and it's pretty inexpensive...I've heard wonderful things about Wicked Good Charcoal, but the closest place to get it is in Orlando, and thats 230 miles away.

I know there are some damn good bbq'ers on here, so feel free to chime in.

 

[thebayratt]

I get the "Cowboy Charcoal" from Lowe's.
Its about the same price as Kingsford, but less weight. But it doesn't seem to burn down completely like Kingsford does at times. I usually have some chunks left in the bottom of the grille that I sift out and reuse. I don't think there is any chemicals in it, being that its basically natural charred wood chunks.
I put them in the charcoal chimney with 2 of those white cube starters and go at it. No problems with the Cowboy Charcoal yet.
I do see on the website that it does burn hotter than conventional charcoal, so less is.can be used.

100% All-natural
• No coal, no chemicals
• Burns 30% hotter than standard briquets
• Provides great wood flavor

 

[blooz4u]

I use the Kingsford Mesquite. Burns well, and seems to last forever, burning slow and low. I would like to try the lump charcoal next time around though...

 

[theribdoctor]

I get the "Cowboy Charcoal" from Lowe's.
Its about the same price as Kingsford, but less weight. But it doesn't seem to burn down completely like Kingsford does at times. I usually have some chunks left in the bottom of the grille that I sift out and reuse. I don't think there is any chemicals in it, being that its basically natural charred wood chunks.
I put them in the charcoal chimney with 2 of those white cube starters and go at it. No problems with the Cowboy Charcoal yet.

I've used cowboy before, in whole foods brand and fresh market brand and cowboy by themselves...it's solid, but I always find strange things in the coals...

I light my coals a little differently. I use a coffee filter, add a couple small paper towels bunched up, and a handful of stale potato or corn chips and light that...no extra chemicals, and all food grade stuff.

 

[theribdoctor]

I use the Kingsford Mesquite. Burns well, and seems to last forever, burning slow and low. I would like to try the lump charcoal next time around though...

problem with kingsford other than the competition kingsford is its full of chemicals.

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm

is a good starting point of whats available...

since you live in Texas(even though you are a Cajun) you may want to see if Ozark oak is available near you...looks real good according to the database.

 

[blooz4u]

problem with kingsford other than the competition kingsford is its full of chemicals.

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm

is a good starting point of whats available...

since you live in Texas(even though you are a Cajun) you may want to see if Ozark oak is available near you...looks real good according to the database.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll try and find it for the grillin this weekend!

 

[gibbleguts]

I always have a few in rotation as it depends on what I am going for. I have BGE, Dragons Breath, wicked good and my personal favourite is Charcos which is made from coconut husks. It does not add a lot of flavour so you can choose which flavours to add. It sucks to light but burns incredibly hot and forever. Another good thing is that there is virtually no ash to clean out after.

 

[theribdoctor]

I always have a few in rotation as it depends on what I am going for. I have BGE, Dragons Breath, wicked good and my personal favourite is Charcos which is made from coconut husks. It does not add a lot of flavour so you can choose which flavours to add. It sucks to light but burns incredibly hot and forever. Another good thing is that there is virtually no ash to clean out after.

BGE is rebranded Royal oak, so I know how that is.

Dragons breath I'm going to look for around here, I may call the company...looks good. Again Wicked good, maybe I'll have to make the trip, or have a friend bring it down from orlando...charcos is made in canada...looks really good...but again difficult to find locally...

 

[Flyer75]

Royal oak.....can't beat it.

 

[Mr. Robusto]

Yeah, Royal Oak is pretty good lump coal to go with.

I also use Sam's Choice (Wally World) charcoal and like it better than Kingsford.

I've tried Stubb's all natural charcoal briquettes and was pretty happy with it.

And most recently, I picked up a bag of Trader Joe's 100% all natural hardwood briquettes and really like it a lot. It burnt hot and produced little ash.

 

[vivalanation734]

I either use Cowboy from Lowes or the Publix Greenwise charcoal. The Publix stuff lasts forever and burns nice and hot.

 

[tubaman]

I've used stubbs before and like it, and royal oak is great.

 

[thebayratt]

Stubbs is good too. I've used Royal Oak once, but that was a lonnnng time ago.

 

[indyrob]

OMG I've sworn by Cowboy and recommended it a lot but switching now that I saw so much crap in the bag.

 

[theribdoctor]

OMG I've sworn by Cowboy and recommended it a lot but switching now that I saw so much crap in the bag.

You too? That's why I switched to royal oak. Just want to get a bigger bag.

On other news a local propane place had a groupon for 10 dollar 20lb propane fillups, I bought 3. Gotta have a backup plan.

 

[tazbigdog]

I've been using hardwood charcoal for years. Briquets have chemicals in them and would rather use wood. Nice even burn, great taste and never disappoionts! BTW I've used Cowboy and like it too. Jeff:agreesmil

 

[blooz4u]

Bought this the other day. Never used it. Just fired it up.

QUITE different from briquettes.

Thoughts ?

 

[Andytex]

I use stubbs for my grilling and cowboy brand for my slow and low. I did a 96#pig on 4th of july and I couldn't have been happier with it. It burnt nice and slow and I think I went through only three bags in the 9 hrs. that I was cooking for. I did add a little Japanese plum wood chips to it though for some added flavor.

 

[theribdoctor]

Bought this the other day. Never used it. Just fired it up.

QUITE different from briquettes.

Thoughts ?

not a fan of mesquite, but looks good and it's lump...love lump.

 

[sonarman]

I make my own, I have a bunch of firewood and no fireplace in my new house so I'll burn a bunch of it in a metal barrel I have, then after it has burned down a bit I'll throw the lid on it to smother it. It's all oak and it burns hot as hell, there is ash but that's pretty easy to get rid of.