View Full Version : Help with charcoal
Brethren, I am in dire need of assistance. Do any of you know where I can buy a reliable brand of hardwood charcaol for less than $30 dollars for a 20 lb bag. Right now I use BGE charcoal with my BGE. I buy it at a local pool store that carries it. I have tried a one other brand that I got at home depot, and I didn't care for it. The cost of charcoal is starting to take a toll on my marriage. Any help and or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
bigabyte
11-30-2010, 05:30 PM
If you have a Wal-Mart nearby, you can get Royal Oak lump in the lawn and garden section, but I hear some stores stop stocking it during the off season.
If Wal-Mart doesn't work out, you can get Royal Oak ship-to-store at DoIt Best center - $14.99 for a 17.6 lb bag & shipping is free. Not sure if you get the USA made or Paraguay made stuff this way - picking up my first load this weekend - apparently the Paraguay made stuff can be iffy.
atvottawa
11-30-2010, 06:08 PM
If I am not mistaken, the BGE charcoal is rebranded Royal Oak...? with a premuim price. Other brethern can steer you better. Check the naked whiz
FWIW- there are so many charcoals out there to try. Half the fun for me is trying new methods/recipes/products. Let loose and try new stuff, have some fun.
smokestack
11-30-2010, 06:31 PM
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm
there are charcoal reviews here - covers alot of brands
Thanks guys. After reading the naked whiz stuff, and based on the other recommendations from you guys, it looks as if I am going to wally world to buy some royal oak.
Cheers
Smokin'hoglegs
11-30-2010, 07:36 PM
RO is the best and best value I've found yet!:thumb:
Definitely Royal Oak at Wal-Mart. I live a little further south than you, but at least one in my area has it year round.
Homebrewed Q
11-30-2010, 07:47 PM
Wally World has been saturated with Christmas stuff, especially in the lawn & garden area. I live on the far North side of Houston and the two WW's closest to me have NOTHING right now BBQ related except a handful of grills.
Mitch
11-30-2010, 09:13 PM
If you can't find RO, look for Ozark Oak or Best Choice.
redbandit98
11-30-2010, 09:19 PM
ozark oak...:thumb:
Cliff H.
11-30-2010, 10:19 PM
I'll third the Ozark Oak. It was my "go to" brand for a long time. Then the store replaced it with Best Choice. I was pissed but found that Best Choice was pretty dang good too.
Sammy_Shuford
11-30-2010, 10:27 PM
Rancher, hardwood 100%, cornstarch binder. Low ash. Yeah, it's a briquette , but a good one.
The Grill Sergeant
11-30-2010, 10:34 PM
Our Menards carrys Royal Oak lump & briquettes. Our local Sams carries Frontier lump. I just bought 3 - 40 lb bags @ $14.27 ea.
BIGBrandon2785
11-30-2010, 10:38 PM
I used Royal Oak one time before I found this site and knew what lump is.My buddy brung it over and said he dident know what it was except it was cheap.I fired it up and it worked like a charm.Ive been trying to find it ever since but the store he got it from doesent stock it in winter.
5-0 BBQ
11-30-2010, 11:17 PM
I am have been getting the 17lb Made in USA Royal Oak from Restaurant Depot for $8.99
NRA4Life
12-01-2010, 08:22 AM
If you have a GFS locally, their store brand is RO repackaged as GFS and is normally around $12/20 lbs. Also, stay away from the RO from Argentina. I bought that from Restaurant Depot and it was popping, snapping, sparking, and didn't get anywhere near as hot as the American made RO.
Divemaster
12-01-2010, 08:49 AM
I am have been getting the 17lb Made in USA Royal Oak from Restaurant Depot for $8.99
Bingo!!! I still have 10 bags from when it was $7.99
aquablue22
12-01-2010, 09:47 AM
PUBLIX carries a brand of all natural lump under their label. That's all i use in my Egg. I know what you mean about BGE lump, at bit rich!
brunski
12-01-2010, 10:35 AM
Wally World has been saturated with Christmas stuff, especially in the lawn & garden area. I live on the far North side of Houston and the two WW's closest to me have NOTHING right now BBQ related except a handful of grills.
Wally world in Katy TX has plenty
rescue_ranger
12-01-2010, 10:42 AM
Definitely Royal Oak at Wal-Mart. I live a little further south than you, but at least one in my area has it year round.
I agree I use Royal Oak it is a very good coal, then again if you feel like it you can always make your own if you have the time and the space not too hard
RR
Here is a link from Ehow to do it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5530400_make-lump-charcoal.html
Teleking
12-01-2010, 10:58 AM
You can get Frontier Lump with free ship to store at Ace Hardware.
I just stocked up for the winter on RO Lump from Wally World:-D
Big_T_BBQ
12-01-2010, 11:24 AM
Royal Oak Briquettes from DoItBest.com, 40 lb bag for $18 and free shipping to a local franchise.
Link (http://www.doitbest.com/Charcoal+and+Lighting+Items-Royal+Oak-model-10426-doitbest-sku-838136.dib)
Plus they have tons of wood chunks and chips that you can add to the order.
Thanks guys I really appreciate all of the help. My marriage might be able to be salvaged now. This BBQ is an unforgiving and demanding mistress.
Homebrewed Q
12-01-2010, 12:11 PM
Wally world in Katy TX has plenty
Guess I need to check and see if they moved it to the stock room at mine.
PatioDaddio
12-01-2010, 04:30 PM
I know you're looking for lump, but I'd highly recommend that you give the
Kingsford Competition briquets a try. I've been using them since they came
out and I love the product (especially in my UDSs). In my book it's very close
to the Rancher briquets that were previously mentioned.
John
BlueHowler
12-01-2010, 07:11 PM
I know you're looking for lump, but I'd highly recommend that you give the
Kingsford Competition briquets a try. I've been using them since they came
out and I love the product (especially in my UDSs). In my book it's very close
to the Rancher briquets that were previously mentioned.
John
I second the Kingsford Competition briq's. I've also used them mixed with lump charcoal in my fire basket. The temp's seem to hold better that way.
Homebrewed Q
12-02-2010, 07:19 PM
Those of you that mentioned Frontier Lump, are you happy with it? My Sam's has it for $14-40 lb bag.
Spanx
12-02-2010, 10:16 PM
Those of you that mentioned Frontier Lump, are you happy with it? My Sam's has it for $14-40 lb bag.
It pops and sparks alot but I use it when I light up my 250 gallon pit. I don't like to use it in my Weber kettles or my small offset because of all of the poping and sparking.
Homebrewed Q
12-02-2010, 10:30 PM
It pops and sparks alot but I use it when I light up my 250 gallon pit. I don't like to use it in my Weber kettles or my small offset because of all of the poping and sparking.
Yep, started reading a lot of previous threads and other reviews, they're mixed at best. Apparently there is a made in USA version which is supposed to be decent and a made in Argentina version that produces off odors.
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