Lump vs. Charcoal

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by kevine

I started out using Stubbs natural briqs and Kingsford Competition briqs, and they are both good. I then got into using lump. I've tried the Lazzari (hard to light), Cowboy (not good), and a few others (they were on sale). Lately, I have been using Best in the West Mesquite Lump (not sure where it comes from) mixed with the Stubbs. BITW is not the best lump...it's average. However, Smart and Final sells 40 lb bags for $14.49.........it's been working very good for me and I do notice a slightly different (better) flavor from the "mesquite."

The briquets, in my opinion, heat more evenly. In my limited amount of smoking and grilling, I've found using lump is a little trickier to maintain temps (it's probably more attributable to the user), but like a couple other posts mentioned, I currently mix natural briqs with lump, depending on what/how I'm cooking.

You should try El Diablo mesquite lump. Its AWESOME. I think thirdeye uses that same brand.

best of the west and frontier lump is average. Well, ok, Here in utah, best of the west and frontier really lack. at least half of my bag was uncorbonized wood logs, but at least they were logs.

But my local wood supplier sells El Diablo lump. 20$ for like 50lbs. I know that 5 or 6 high class steak houses here use it. Plus the Brazilian BBQs do

http://www.tucanos.com/
http://www.rodiziogrill.com/
http://www.sugarhousebbq.com/online/



11.29$ at costco

http://www.eldiablocharcoal.com/

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by btcg

Yeah Matt,

They had 2 big bags bundled together for $15.99 + tax, but that's hardly a good deal. I've got 3 full bags of the blue in my garage + 1 bag of this stuff Whole Foods sells (still unopened).

Stopped at Lowes sunday and one of the workers had all the Kingsford up on a lift. I guess they're moving it to the back of the store until spring.

So I said to the guy: "I'd buy a pallet full if you reduced it (it's $8 something a bag there, too).

The guy said: "A pallet? Really. You should have been here last week, it was a buck a bag."

Now, I was there. It was $8 something a bag. I've been watching both places.

The guy's attitude p'd me off, but I didn't respond.

I should have said :

"Yeah, but Home Depot had it for fifty cents a bag."

Or, Sams club had it a penny a bag.

i was just at lowes and they had NO charcoal what so ever. Even the stubbs was gone. that worries me because stubbs is the only 100% natural briqs i can buy locally. Home depot, im not sure what they have this week. i should go there tomorrow and see whats up.

to bad the guy didnt let you buy it for a dollar a bag.

[Captain Dave]

I use a 60:40 mix of stubbs:royal oak. Wont use cowboy or k. Too inconsistant.

[K I N G P I N]

Quick question? Has anyone used the BGE lump? I saw it at the store where they sell the BGE and the guy swears by it. Anyone have any input?

[FretBender]

I've used BGE lump when I can get it on sale, otherwise it's a bit pricey compared to the others. I've also used Cowboy with no bad effects and though I liked the flavor, it too was priced higher than the Humphrey I consider my regular lump brand.

[42BBQ]

Love the discussion here. Being as new as I am I have ONLY tried regular K. I can get it for $15 per 40 lbs (Costco, two 20's bundled) so I have always felt like that was a good deal. On select holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day) the local HD will carry it for $10 for 40 lbs (buy one get one). I have not tried lump but have been considering a lump/cherry wood mixture on my new stickburner. I want to burn primarily wood but think I'll have an easier time with temps if I use lump. Thanks for all the info and opinions guys. Love the Brethren...

[blues_n_cues]

r.o. lump here.

[Dale in GA]

I use BGE lump quite a bit and find it to be a very good product. However, as noted it is a bit pricey and I have a local grocer who stocks Nature-Glo which I get for about 30% discount over BGE brand.

For the Weber kettle, I use Kingsford blue exclusively. Lump burns too quickly and too hot for most direct or indirect grilling applications in the Kettle. I tried the Kingsford competition a couple of times but found it created more ash than than the blue. The ash left by comp and blue are different, likely due to the binding agent differences. I just felt that the comp had more ash that blew up when lifting the lid, was more expensive per pound, and darn it don't fix something that ain't broke.

[1FUNVET]

Tried Cowboy once and will never use it again.

Should change the name to Cowpatty.

[Wampus]

I buy what ever I can get for the cheapest (within reason). I just loaded up with 12 bags of the K Comp briq's because I got it for $2.23/bag. Before that, I bought 4 bags of RO Steakhouse Lump to use through the holidays and before that, I've pretty much been a Blue K guy for the reason that many have stated.....I get the dbl 20 lb deal for $15 every day and $10 when it's marked down, so it's very affordable.

I'm a back yard 'Q'er, so I don't get too caught up in the ins and outs of different fuels. I understand that for competition, you need as few variables as possible, but that's just not what I'm into.

I have to say that I was NOT that impressed with the lump that I used over the holidays. I had a lot more trouble with temp control (more than likely simply because I was USED to cooking with Blue K). It certainly did start quicker in the chimney starter, but I don't at all feel that it burned any longer, although I didn't do any really long cooks and my charcoal basket is HUGE, so I just loaded it up.

I'm gonna stick with what I've been doing. I'll just use the "learning curve" and note my observations. For now.....I need to learn how the K Comp briq's work as I've got a LOT of it.

[Glenn W]

Just a FYI,

Stubbs all natural briqs are made by Cowboy, BGE and Primo lump is made by Royal Oak. I like RO Lump, Wicked Good (lump and briqs) and B&B Oak Lump. Heard that Humphreys and Ozark Oak (Hasty Bake) are really good.

[LT72884]

FYI about BGE lump. Its from the exact same producer as Royal Oak, the only diff is they grab the bigger pieces out of the royal oak and sell it in the BGE bags. thats why it is expensive. its all the BIG pieces repacked.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by Glenn W

Just a FYI,

Stubbs all natural briqs are made by Cowboy, BGE and Primo lump is made by Royal Oak. I like RO Lump, Wicked Good (lump and briqs) and B&B Oak Lump. Heard that Humphreys and Ozark Oak (Hasty Bake) are really good.

i REALLY need to learn to read. sorry for the double post guys

Yeah i noticed that about 6 months ago, that stubbs was made by cowboy. I saw it on there website. I still dont like the lump though and i do know that stubbs briqs do burn very hot and smell very good.

thnaks glen for the info.

[LT72884]

Originally Posted by Wampus

I buy what ever I can get for the cheapest (within reason). I just loaded up with 12 bags of the K Comp briq's because I got it for $2.23/bag. Before that, I bought 4 bags of RO Steakhouse Lump to use through the holidays and before that, I've pretty much been a Blue K guy for the reason that many have stated.....I get the dbl 20 lb deal for $15 every day and $10 when it's marked down, so it's very affordable.

I'm a back yard 'Q'er, so I don't get too caught up in the ins and outs of different fuels. I understand that for competition, you need as few variables as possible, but that's just not what I'm into.

I have to say that I was NOT that impressed with the lump that I used over the holidays. I had a lot more trouble with temp control (more than likely simply because I was USED to cooking with Blue K). It certainly did start quicker in the chimney starter, but I don't at all feel that it burned any longer, although I didn't do any really long cooks and my charcoal basket is HUGE, so I just loaded it up.

I'm gonna stick with what I've been doing. I'll just use the "learning curve" and note my observations. For now.....I need to learn how the K Comp briq's work as I've got a LOT of it.

how did you get it so cheap? the K comp that is? please let me know so i can get a good deal man.

thanks

[qnbiker]

Originally Posted by LT72884

FYI about BGE lump. Its from the exact same producer as Royal Oak, the only diff is they grab the bigger pieces out of the royal oak and sell it in the BGE bags. thats why it is expensive. its all the BIG pieces repacked.

Are you sure about the big pieces? A friend with an egg who knew I was a Q'er asked if I had any lump. He always used BGE lump and I use RO. I told him the same company made both so he borrowed a couple of bags. Now he only uses RO because it's cheaper. I've never used BGE but he says he can't tell the difference.