Briquette recommendation

[AClarke44]

Its been awhile but I'm trying to get back in the game this week. My "go to" briquette for smoking and reverse sear was Stubb's but I can't find it anymore. I've got Kingsford as that was always my hot grilling coal but I'm one of those who isn't fond of the chemical smell when it's coming to temp so I always used Stubb's for smoking.
Anyway what's your recommendation for a Stubb's similar briquette I can use that'll give me a similar experience.

Thanks in advance!

[cowgirl]

No advice, but welcome back Andrew!

[AClarke44]

No advice, but welcome back Andrew!

Thanks Jeanie!

[thirdeye]

I rarely burn 100% briquettes, rather a mix of lump and briquettes. But for the last couple of years I've been using Kingsford Long Burning, and really like it.

[AClarke44]

I rarely burn 100% briquettes, rather a mix of lump and briquettes. But for the last couple of years I've been using Kingsford Long Burning, and really like it.

I've been wanting to try the lump/briq mix. Maybe it's time! :thumb:

[93_confirmed]

Weber briqs are the best on the market in my opinion. I was a former Stubb's guy exclusively but once I switched over there was no going back. The Weber briqs are larger, burn clean and last longer than any of the others I've used.

*I'm not a Weber rep. :-P

[BuffettFan]

Also a fan of the Weber briquettes, but I haven't seen them in my area since last summer.
Costco carries the Kingsford Professional which is what I've been using, along with Royal Oak.
The RO seems to make more ash, but other than that, compares with the Kingsford.
If you find the Weber, I'd recommend giving it a try.

[4ever3]

If you can find Weber get them, you’ll thank me later.

Sadly they’re no longer in the Tulsa area ....

[nweave2614]

I have only cooked on them once but I really liked the Royal oak chef select, burned clean and long for me.

[Mike in Roseville]

Royal Oak Premium from Walmart ($9 for a twin bag pack) or Royal Oak All Natural ($7.98 a bag...also from Walmart).

[Mikhail]

Weber, but only buy them on clearance in the fall.

[EricD]

Another vote for Weber Briqs.

[Springram]

For grilling, I love B&B. For using in my PBC, I use Kingsford or Royal Oak or.....

[TxQGuy]

I honestly don't have a strong preference for briquettes. I mostly use Kingsford or HEB brand just based on price/availability. The only thing I'm absolutely rigid about is never ever ever using lighter fluid.

[SmokerKing]

I was a Stubbs user, all gone.
Been using the RO briquettes in my Smoky Joe and Weber kettle. So far, so good.

[mbshop]

Wal mart has white bags of royal oak. Bags are 18 lb ones. They are a two pack for 8.88. Great deal. I pretty much stick with royal oak.

[SlickRockStones]

Im down to just two bags of Weber briqs from the Target hoard of 2017 so I only use it for brisket in my SnS 26er. White bag RO for all else. RO reg lump for grilling.

[smoke ninja]

I use alot of lump these days.

really I'm just replying to say good to see you Andrew

[jham0077]

I was a Stubb's user too, can't find it anymore. I emailed the company inquiring why it was gone. They sent a message back with a link where I could order it for....$22 A BAG!!! If you got a Winn Dixie up that way try their briquettes. They burn very hot and no funky odor.

[Duey]

Cowboy briqs are the same as Stubb's, just a different bag according to the manufacturer. The company said it was basically trying to streamline their product line.

[AClarke44]

I use alot of lump these days.

really I'm just replying to say good to see you Andrew

Thanks Ninja!

[AClarke44]

Cowboy briqs are the same as Stubb's, just a different bag according to the manufacturer. The company said it was basically trying to streamline their product line.

Really!? I can get Cowboy at Academy. If this is true I'll definitely get some and try it out.

[AClarke44]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys. Sounds like I need to see if I can find some Weber coal. I'll get some RO also. Speaking of RO, is the premium bag (I forget the exact naming) better than the regular stuff?

I'll also try Cowboy briqs too.

Thanks again!

[Happy Hapgood]

Great to see you posting here again AC! I'm going to be "That Guy". The KBB will burn as clean as any once given time to burn off the chemical smell. Good coal at a good price with long burn time. I did a brisket one time @ 250*F with a PartyQ on my 18 WSM. After the 12+ hours to smoke it and after pulling brisket I let it run just to see. 16 hours @ 250*F. Another 4 above 225*F. Not bad for approx 16lbs of coal.


Lastly, I tried Cowboy Lump only one time. As I poured it I noticed wood milled scraps like door trim and something that looked like a charred fiber egg carton. Might have been a bad bag but I'm done with it.


Good Luck on your quest and please post your findings.

[Duey]

Really!? I can get Cowboy at Academy. If this is true I'll definitely get some and try it out.

I'll have to look to see if I still have the e-mail, but she made no doubt that they were the exact same product. She made it sound like Lowe's was the big driver to drop one of the brands, but now I can't get either at me Lowe's. Glad I stocked up when it was on sale for $4.99 a bag this winter.

[cullenbranson]

Disregarding price - Royal Oak Chef's Select (ROCS) is my preference. Can't beat it for grilling and bbq'ing.

https://www.doitbest.com/products/838136?sku=838136

Weber is similar quality product. But the ROCS edges it out with its ridged design.

Regarding price - Weber can't touch ROCS at regular price. I see regular prices range from 66 cents per pound to 1 dollar per pound, vs 59 cents for ROCS.

I bought about 15 bags of Weber when my local big box store had it at $3 on clearance. I really like both products, but if you also like money, the choice is a no-brainer.

[bgross88]

Cowboy briqs are the same as Stubb's, just a different bag according to the manufacturer. The company said it was basically trying to streamline their product line.


Can you, or anyone else, clarify why I can't find Cowboy Hardwood Briquettes ANYWHERE? Several places had great sales on them early in the spring--HD, Lowe's, etc. Now they are completely out and I haven't seen any new shipments. Are they still being manufactured?

Thanks

[PnkPanther]

If you're near a doitbest you can order RO chef select


https://www.doitbest.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&category_id%5B%5D=&q=charcoal&button=search

[PnkPanther]

Can you, or anyone else, clarify why I can't find Cowboy Hardwood Briquettes ANYWHERE? Several places had great sales on them early in the spring--HD, Lowe's, etc. Now they are completely out and I haven't seen any new shipments. Are they still being manufactured?

Thanks




I can find it at doitbest, free ship to store


https://www.doitbest.com/products/816477




EDIT: Two posts in a row recommending doitbest.com. I am no way affiliated with them....probably should've made one post.

[Springram]

I have three bags of Cowboy briquettes in my storage unit. I found them to have a lot of black smoke while lighting in my chimney starter. I grill most of the time on my BBQ patio but sometimes when I know it will be raining, I will move my PK grill or Weber under the pool patio which is covered. I do not like the black smoke perhaps going the the ceiling though it is ten feet high. My B&B has nice light smoke when lighting. I also do not remember Royal Oak emitting back smoke either.

[AClarke44]

Sounds like RO may be my best option. Anyone know if these are worth the extra price over the regular briqs?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Oak-All-Natural-Hardwood-Charcoal-Briquets-16-Lb/845226248?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2959&adid=22222222228273039574&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=327922103209&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-617926180489&wl5=9026252&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=845226248&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgezoBRDNARIsAGzEfe6blFhfImX9QRpx_gfj OK7TeDYLu8p3h6W-VPCa4XBkIPeyNSdr6LcaAkKlEALw_wcB

[Fishwater2002]

Sounds like RO may be my best option. Anyone know if these are worth the extra price over the regular briqs?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Oak-All-Natural-Hardwood-Charcoal-Briquets-16-Lb/845226248?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2959&adid=22222222228273039574&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=327922103209&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-617926180489&wl5=9026252&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=845226248&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgezoBRDNARIsAGzEfe6blFhfImX9QRpx_gfj OK7TeDYLu8p3h6W-VPCa4XBkIPeyNSdr6LcaAkKlEALw_wcB

I’ve been using the red bags of RO that was on special at Lowe’s recently & the white bags that are on special at Walmart currently for grilling with excellent results but when I wanted to do a brisket this week I went with the all natural RO & think they are pretty good, better than the other bags of RO in my inventory. I missed out on the Stubbs & Weber since I was using lump at the time so can’t give an opinion.

[upStomp]

Weber > Stubb's = Cowboy > Kingsford.

I've been trying to find the Natural/Premium RO stuff near me to check it out, but no luck so far. Weber and Stubb's/Cowboy are no longer carried around here so I've been using lump with KBB as a starter.

[Mike in Roseville]

Sounds like RO may be my best option. Anyone know if these are worth the extra price over the regular briqs?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Oak-All-Natural-Hardwood-Charcoal-Briquets-16-Lb/845226248?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2959&adid=22222222228273039574&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=327922103209&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-617926180489&wl5=9026252&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=845226248&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgezoBRDNARIsAGzEfe6blFhfImX9QRpx_gfj OK7TeDYLu8p3h6W-VPCa4XBkIPeyNSdr6LcaAkKlEALw_wcB


Stubbs was my favorite. Can't find Cowboy at Lowes. Got a good bit of Weber but even that is starting to get burned up.


To answer your question: the RO All Natural is currently my favorite briquette. But the Red/White/Blue double pack of RO Premium for $8.88 at Walmart is the best deal going. If those go anywhere near a clearance price in September, then I'm buying a pallet.

Are they worth the extra price? For all intents and purposes...no. The All Natural is really quick to light, burns a little hotter/cleaner, with hardly any smoke at lighting.

But honestly, both briquettes perform about the same. Don't overthink it too much. Maybe buy two bags of All Natural and 2 double packs of Premium and that should take you close to Labor Day so you can see what you prefer more (if you don't grill/smoke 3x a week)??? Premium is a little smokier at startup but I use both all the time and would take either of them anytime over any Kingsford product.

[AClarke44]

Thanks again guys!

I'm gonna try the RO All Natural for a rib smoke I have planned for the 4th. I can get it at Walmart. I'll get the RO premium eventually but I still have a couple bags of Kingsford to use up for my startup/hot grilling needs.

Thanks for all the input. I may try the Cowboy briqs eventually too. Academy by me sells it. Also gonna try to mix in some lump eventually.

[DanB]

Weber briqs are the best on the market in my opinion. I was a former Stubb's guy exclusively but once I switched over there was no going back. The Weber briqs are larger, burn clean and last longer than any of the others I've used.

*I'm not a Weber rep. :-P

:thumb::thumb: