|
Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
|
Thread Tools |
02-15-2010, 09:02 PM | #1 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
My review of charcoal types.
Today i did a side by side comparison of 3 charcoal's In my weber grill. I tested RO lump, Stubbs Briquettes, and blue bag Kingsford. I used The exact same weight measurements for each and lit all 3 at once using a weed burner. They were then separated to separate mounds. I tested for Ash produced, burn time, and for consistency. I found that stubbs burned longer than both the RO and kingsford, produced not as much ash as the kingsford (but were close) and far more ash than the RO. The RO was the least consistent and burned fastest but with least ash. The Kingsford sucked but was consistent. The stubbs was my favorite but I have mixed thoughts about using due to the amount of ash. Any thoughts?
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
Thanks from:---> |
02-15-2010, 09:16 PM | #2 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 01-06-10
Location: Lebanon, Tennessee
|
Thanks for the comparison. I've used all three, and would concur with your observations. However, for lump, I prefer B and B oak over the RO as it's denser. It's kind of like putting a puzzle together trying to fit all the various sized pieces in my little wsm ring for long cooks. Because I'd rather do puzzles that don't involve charcoal dust, I'm really wanting to try the big RO chef's select briquettes you can buy in the 40 lb bags from DoitBest.com sometime in the near future.
|
|
02-15-2010, 09:25 PM | #3 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
I think they are simmilar to stubbs but bigger. The ash from briquettes bugs me a lot !!! But I love the long burns and consistency.... I am confuzed on what to do and buy.
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
02-15-2010, 09:44 PM | #4 | |
Moderator
Join Date: 09-17-05
Location: Mooresville, NC
|
Quote:
They will all work well. Use the one that you like the taste of the finished product best, fits your budget and smoker type or time available to refuel.
__________________
XL BGE (#2) & Performer Platinum Former owner: Jambo Backyard, Klose BYC, Lonestar Vertical offset w/ Insulated Firebox, Medium Spicewine, Pitts & Spitts, XL BGE (#1) & (2) Medium BGE's, 22" WSM & (2) 18" WSM's, 18" & 22" Weber Kettles |
|
|
02-15-2010, 09:47 PM | #5 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
I am over thinking things......thanks for the reality check .
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
02-15-2010, 10:37 PM | #6 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 07-29-09
Location: Luling, Texas 78648
|
I agree stubbs is my favorite. I mix it with the ro lump. Try another bag of k, you'll loose the consistancy you speak about.
__________________
Thanks for noticing |
|
02-15-2010, 10:44 PM | #7 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-26-09
Location: Arlington, TX
|
Try Ozark Oak
I love Ozark Oak lump... Used others including Royal but none were nearly the quality of Ozark. In reading Naked Whiz on reader ratings for lump, I am not the only one who likes the quality and consistency bag in and bag out from Ozark.
|
|
02-16-2010, 12:28 AM | #8 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 12-03-09
Location: Long Beach, CA
|
ash wont be a problem. just control your fuel and you will be golden.
__________________
-elbows deep in someone else's misery. |
|
02-16-2010, 05:12 PM | #9 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
I allways use lump in my Uds ..is ash a problem in a Uds?
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
02-16-2010, 05:30 PM | #10 | |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 01-20-10
Location: Rockford, IL
|
Quote:
I didn't get to use it in a smoker, it was a pit, so I never did get to learn how well it could be controlled. My personal observations are mostly based on grilling usage - I consider RO to burn hot and fast, little ash perhaps from burning so hot and fast? The RO Chef's Select larger stuff seemed to burn hot and fast but longer due to size. The guy got the 40# bags for like 8.00, guess it pays to be on the in with the right commercial food suppliers, I haven't found an in at that price yet. About the basic comparison listed before: Your test was good intel for a basic, grilling application, burn. But I'm tempted to buy some various brands and do a UDS controlled temp burn test. All of the qualities you listed for each brand of charcoal could be different in a low and slow controlled burn. I'm cloning a couple more flat-top, single cook level UDS already in the works. Once I get all my parts together I'll need to eventually season 3 "new" UDS. All will be built to same specifications making for a pretty controlled test. I guess between now and then I best get to finding a variety of charcoal to test. At least the wife already knows I been itching to try some lump in the UDS.
__________________
Rich (eatrbbq.com) Weber, Chargriller, assorted UDS |
|
|
02-16-2010, 05:44 PM | #11 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 01-20-10
Location: Rockford, IL
|
I've been given crap over using Kingsford blue bag, Sam's club 21#
When I started traveling, catering on-site and competing it was important to me to be able to have consistency. Blue bag seems to be pretty much the same every time, place, state, season I've purchased and used it. I've always totally grayed my charcoal before it goes in smokers, that might be part of the consistency I see. The only time any one mentions tasting charcoal in my food might be when I'm drinking and grill something when the coals aren't ready but I am, but not when I'm smoking. I've used what I've used because no matter where I've been it has been the same. If I went on a job or to a comp and all my supplies fell out of the truck I could pick up some blue bag and roll with it. I'm certain there's better options out there. Now that I'm running efficient UDS rigs it is probably the right time to experiement a bit. To get a good 6 to 8 hour cook out my my MeadowCreek I'd have to burn half a dozen splits of hickory and near 40# of blue bag. To run 6 to 8 hours on my UDS is 10# or less. I can afford to runs tests and experiment again! So, locally I've got HomeDepot, Lowes, Wal-mart/Sam's, and Menard's Any recommendations on a decent lump from them? Actually there is one local BBQ/Grilling store that might carry good options, I'll check in there tomorrow.
__________________
Rich (eatrbbq.com) Weber, Chargriller, assorted UDS |
|
02-16-2010, 06:03 PM | #12 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
Eatrbbq for lump I suggest Royal Oak ...do not get cowboy! You can get it at walk mart...for a briquette I would try stubbs at lowes...it has no funny smells and burns consistent and longer than K. I am still searching what works best for me.
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
02-16-2010, 06:13 PM | #13 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 02-03-10
Location: Douglas, GA
|
And to think I thought charcoal was charcoal before I joined up here. Little did I know! Been using Royal Oak & Kingsford mixed in my UDS so far (mainly because those are the 2 brands most readily available in a small town).
__________________
Proud new Papa of an UGLY drum smoker! |
|
02-16-2010, 06:16 PM | #14 | |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 01-20-10
Location: Rockford, IL
|
Quote:
Do you mix because of whatever you have on hand or for another reason? In the UDS do you notice a difference between those two brands?
__________________
Rich (eatrbbq.com) Weber, Chargriller, assorted UDS |
|
|
02-16-2010, 06:23 PM | #15 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-05-10
Location: Rushford/Buffalo, Ny
|
I now mix stubbs and RO lump...that way I get the best of both worlds..It works for me.
__________________
UDS..."The be all and end all" of smokers |
|
Tags |
charcoal |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Ceramics and types of Charcoal? | tortaboy | Q-talk | 9 | 10-24-2011 02:10 PM |
Review: Original vs Competition Kingsford Charcoal (long with lots o' pics) | PatioDaddio | Q-talk | 70 | 03-23-2011 07:37 PM |
Charcoal Review - Best of The West - $14 for 40# at Sam's | thirdeye | Q-talk | 2 | 05-31-2010 11:53 AM |
My review of Stubbs charcoal | LT72884 | Q-talk | 12 | 05-14-2010 12:10 PM |
Review: Old vs New Kingsford® Charcoal (tons of pics) | PatioDaddio | Q-talk | 49 | 04-26-2010 02:46 PM |
Thread Tools | |
|
|