Yet another lump charcoal review

evilive69 · 03-22-2013, 09:57 AM

I have been lurking for quite a while and figured it was about time I posted. I got in to smoking about 2 years ago when the girlfriend bought me a Weber Performer 22.5, then last year she got me a Cajun Bandit which got me smoking all the time. After 2 years I have tried every lump charcoal I could get my hands on and thought I would post what I have learned.

B&B...I won't even use it as a last resort. It burns way too hot and fast. By shooting an 8-10 foot shower of sparks it does make for a great firework substitue.

Cowboy...used as a last resort. By far the most inconsistent lump I have ever used. I have had bags that were either tiny little pieces or tree trunks.

Royal Oak...good middle of the road charcoal. Good flavor, decent burn time and readily available everywhere. The only issue is that it's typically medium to small pieces.

Big Green Egg...its best pieces of Royal Oak. Same flavor but typically medium to large chunks. The only real issue is cost, and the last bag I had burned really hot and fast. It may have been an old bag though.

Wicked Good Weekend Warrior...absolutely love it. Great flavor, even temperature, long burn time and all medium to large pieces. I also like that Ace Hardware does free shipping to store.

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 03-22-2013, 10:06 AM

Three comments:

I haven't used B&B so no opinion on that, but pretty much agree with your evaluation of the others.

Cowboy seems to be better than it was, but this just might be part of their inconsistency.

Marry that girl.

Big George's BBQ · 03-22-2013, 10:09 AM

My favorite is wicked good Humphreys is good and ozark has had good reviews too Check out the naked wiz reviews I will not use cowboy again

J&B'sBBQ · 03-22-2013, 10:18 AM

We tried Cowboy last weekend and I did not like it at all! I had hot pieces all over my driveway from it sparking and a piece actually got my foot (yes, I had on open shoes...my mistake). I ordered some from ACE of the Wicked Good and am excited to try it this weekend as I've heard great things about it.

DownHomeQue · 03-22-2013, 10:20 AM

Ozark Oak is my favorite... its 5.75 a bag here in good ole Arkansas!

Good burn time nice size chunks...

evilive69 · 03-22-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big George's BBQ

My favorite is wicked good Humphreys is good and ozark has had good reviews too Check out the naked wiz reviews I will not use cowboy again

The BBQEquipment store near Baltimore carries Humphreys, been on my list to take a trip there.

---k--- · 03-22-2013, 10:39 AM

I think the way the bags are handled by the store has more effect on the size/quality of the lump than the manufacturer. IMHO.

charrederhead · 03-22-2013, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeSmellsLikeSmoke

Marry that girl.

^^^^^This!

gtr · 03-22-2013, 11:15 AM

I really like B&B myself - the sparking doesn't bug me too much. WG has gotten to be my other go-to. I wish I could get Ozark Oak out here. I ordered some online once to check it out - loved it, but way too pricey with shipping and all that.

AustinKnight · 03-22-2013, 11:17 AM

B&B is my go to lump I buy the 20# bags for 14 bucks at academy sports, I've had only 1 bag pop like the 4th of July and it was from a 10# bag and cold out. That same month I bought a bag of Ozark oak and had the same firework show, it took a long time to lite in the chimney to and at dollar per # didn't set well with me. RO is good but I have only found it at wallyworld and its in small shards not chunks and falls through grates and baskets. WG is good stuff I've used it once and still have the rest of the 22# bag left - what I used for a 6h pork butt cook on the akorn, it is pricey 21 bucks for 22# I guess in some cases you get what you pay for.

Sent from my SGH-T999

evilive69 · 03-22-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charrederhead

^^^^^This!

No interest in getting married again. In April I will celebrate my 3rd year being divorced from Satans adulterous sister...girlfriend went throught the same exact thing and is on the same page with me.

jketron · 03-22-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilive69

no interest in getting married again. In april i will celebrate my 3rd year being divorced from satans adulterous sister...girlfriend went throught the same exact thing and is on the same page with me.

envy!!

bigabyte · 03-22-2013, 11:43 AM

I've never seen that problem with B&B before. B&B is one of the higher end lump brands. I'm guessing you got a very, very unusual bag. Looks spot on with the others though.

cholloway · 03-22-2013, 12:03 PM

I'll stick with the USA RO lump.
For me the WG is not worth the $ at my Ace hardware (the only place that carries it here).
Can't speak to any of the others.

greazyg · 03-22-2013, 12:29 PM

Cowboy is the only lump I've used. Probably used 2-3 bags. It was always filled with chunks the size of a brick or it was dust. I went back to kingsford.

03-22-2013, 09:57 AM	#1
evilive69 Found some matches. Join Date: 01-08-13 Location: Gambrills, MD	Yet another lump charcoal review I have been lurking for quite a while and figured it was about time I posted. I got in to smoking about 2 years ago when the girlfriend bought me a Weber Performer 22.5, then last year she got me a Cajun Bandit which got me smoking all the time. After 2 years I have tried every lump charcoal I could get my hands on and thought I would post what I have learned. B&B...I won't even use it as a last resort. It burns way too hot and fast. By shooting an 8-10 foot shower of sparks it does make for a great firework substitue. Cowboy...used as a last resort. By far the most inconsistent lump I have ever used. I have had bags that were either tiny little pieces or tree trunks. Royal Oak...good middle of the road charcoal. Good flavor, decent burn time and readily available everywhere. The only issue is that it's typically medium to small pieces. Big Green Egg...its best pieces of Royal Oak. Same flavor but typically medium to large chunks. The only real issue is cost, and the last bag I had burned really hot and fast. It may have been an old bag though. Wicked Good Weekend Warrior...absolutely love it. Great flavor, even temperature, long burn time and all medium to large pieces. I also like that Ace Hardware does free shipping to store. __________________ Oklahoma Joe Offset, Weber Performer 22.5, Weber Performer 22.5 with Cajun Bandit

03-22-2013, 10:06 AM	#2
HeSmellsLikeSmoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: Warren, Vermont	Three comments: I haven't used B&B so no opinion on that, but pretty much agree with your evaluation of the others. Cowboy seems to be better than it was, but this just might be part of their inconsistency. Marry that girl. __________________ Jim - Another transplanted Texan Former KCBS CBJ Large and Medium Big Green Eggs , Black 18.5" WSM, Blue Weber Performer - Stainless, Green Weber OTG Kettle , Brinkmann SnP Pro, and a Stainless UDS. One retired Portable Kitchen grill. Red Thermapen, Maverick ET-732, EdgePro Apex Sharpener. Avatar is the original 1951 Weber Kettle

03-22-2013, 10:09 AM	#3
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Framingham, MA Name/Nickname : George	My favorite is wicked good Humphreys is good and ozark has had good reviews too Check out the naked wiz reviews I will not use cowboy again __________________ Large BIG Green EGG- Hatched 8/17/09 Backwoods Extented Party- sold Weber Genesis Gasser Mid Atlantic BBQ Association KCBS Back Porch BBQ Competition BBQ Team Proud Member of the Zero Club When all else fails ask yourself WWGALD

03-22-2013, 10:18 AM	#4
J&B'sBBQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-19-13 Location: Suwanee, GA	We tried Cowboy last weekend and I did not like it at all! I had hot pieces all over my driveway from it sparking and a piece actually got my foot (yes, I had on open shoes...my mistake). I ordered some from ACE of the Wicked Good and am excited to try it this weekend as I've heard great things about it. __________________ [FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="red"][SIZE="3"]Beth Mewborn[/SIZE][/COLOR] [SIZE="2"][URL="www.facebook.com/jandbsbbq"] Follow Us On Facebook![/URL] [COLOR="red"][SIZE="3"]2016 Georgia BBQ Champions[/SIZE][/COLOR] [URL="http://www.southernqsmokers.com"]Southern Q Limo Jr. & 125 Water Cooker[/URL] Proudly Supported By: [URL="http://www.southernqsmokers.com"]Southern Q Smokers & Trailers[/URL] [URL="http://www.swampboys.com/wordpress/"]Swamp Boys BBQ Sauces and Rubs[/URL] [URL="https://carolinacookwood.com"]Carolina Cookwood[/URL][/FONT][/SIZE]

03-22-2013, 10:20 AM	#5
DownHomeQue is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-11-12 Location: Jonesboro. AR Name/Nickname : DHQ	Ozark Oak is my favorite... its 5.75 a bag here in good ole Arkansas! Good burn time nice size chunks... __________________ [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243527[/URL] 150 Gallon Build (2017) [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148660[/URL] 250 Gallon Offset Build (2012) [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211078[/URL] 600 Gallon Offset Build (2016)

03-22-2013, 10:39 AM	#7
---k--- is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Chicago, IL - West burbs	I think the way the bags are handled by the store has more effect on the size/quality of the lump than the manufacturer. IMHO. __________________ -Ryan Proudly Smoking on a UDS, PBC & Accidental Winner of the 2012 "Saucy" Throwdown.

03-22-2013, 11:15 AM	#9
gtr somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 10-16-10 Location: Culver City, CA	I really like B&B myself - the sparking doesn't bug me too much. WG has gotten to be my other go-to. I wish I could get Ozark Oak out here. I ordered some online once to check it out - loved it, but way too pricey with shipping and all that. __________________ 50" Klose BYC, Spitjack XB85, 22.5 WSM, Backwoods Chubby, UDS, WRK, 26" & 22.5" Weber Kettles, Jumbo Joe, WGA, WSJ/MUDS, Kanka Grill, a piece of expanded metal I throw over the fire pit sometimes, Stealthy Black & Vol Orange Thermapens Displaced East Tennesseean Proud recipient of a Tick Former outlaw MOINK baller, now IMBAS Certified, but still lookin' over my shoulder. "Relax, it's only BBQ." - Bigmista, 2013 "Don't worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one." - Miles Davis Avatar by my son! WTFWGALD?

03-22-2013, 11:17 AM	#10
AustinKnight is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-23-10 Location: Austin Texas Name/Nickname : D	Re: Yet another lump charcoal review B&B is my go to lump I buy the 20# bags for 14 bucks at academy sports, I've had only 1 bag pop like the 4th of July and it was from a 10# bag and cold out. That same month I bought a bag of Ozark oak and had the same firework show, it took a long time to lite in the chimney to and at dollar per # didn't set well with me. RO is good but I have only found it at wallyworld and its in small shards not chunks and falls through grates and baskets. WG is good stuff I've used it once and still have the rest of the 22# bag left - what I used for a 6h pork butt cook on the akorn, it is pricey 21 bucks for 22# I guess in some cases you get what you pay for. Sent from my SGH-T999 __________________ Pitmaker Magnum Snipper * UDS* Copper Kettle

03-22-2013, 11:43 AM	#13
bigabyte somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-10-06 Location: Overland Fark, KS	I've never seen that problem with B&B before. B&B is one of the higher end lump brands. I'm guessing you got a very, very unusual bag. Looks spot on with the others though. __________________ Asshattatron Farkanaut, CGCFO Chief Galactic Crockpot Foil Officer *Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Are you MOINK Certified?* *Sole recipient of the Silverfinger and fingerlickin Awards!* Don't forget about the Throwdown Thingies! The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club Duh.

03-22-2013, 12:03 PM	#14
cholloway Babbling Farker Join Date: 05-10-11 Location: East of Atlanta, GA. Name/Nickname : Colin	I'll stick with the USA RO lump. For me the WG is not worth the $ at my Ace hardware (the only place that carries it here). Can't speak to any of the others. __________________ Colin - "Drinking alcohol can cause memory loss... or worse, memory loss" New Braunfels Hondo Offset New Braunfels Bandera (Refurbished & Improved) Char-Broil 450 (Purchased new in 1981) 1996 Blue Weber SS Performer Weber charcoal Go-Anywhere 2 Weber SJSs & modified stock pot Mini-WSM Weber rotisserie, Rib-O-Lator & Smokenator system Blackstone Tailgater Combo & STOK Island gasser

03-22-2013, 12:29 PM	#15
greazyg Got Wood. Join Date: 09-04-12 Location: Richmond VA	Cowboy is the only lump I've used. Probably used 2-3 bags. It was always filled with chunks the size of a brick or it was dust. I went back to kingsford.