Lump frustrations, need Kamado help.

saychz316 · 08-16-2014, 01:02 PM

To the Bretheren,

I currently own a few cookers. One of my favorites is my Vision Kamado I picked up from Costco last year. It took some learning, I am far from a master at it, but I can make some really tasty food with it. The Kamado is a really powerful tool in the backyard cooking world.

That being said. Lump charcoal is getting the best of me it seems. I can't seem to find any consistency in the bags. By consistency, I mean volume or size. I have tried Royal Oak. Really good stuff, but one bag will have nice decent size "lumps", and the next will look like a bag of 1" crumbs when I open it up. I have tried Frontier from Lowes, cooking consistency was a bit off, but not too bad. I have tried the hardwood lump at BBQ's galore and it was wet, dense, horrible burning lump. I tossed the bag after 2 cooks with it. But the common thread is size consistency. I understand that there are all different sizes in the bag due to it not being a manufactured product like briquettes, but an entire 20# bag of crumbs with maybe 5 decent size pieces to set a base with is getting tiresome.

I know the preferred method of fuel is lump charcoal for these cookers. Is it a crime to use kingsford in these things? Does it really ruin the ceramic and change the dynamics of the cooker and taste of the food? My cooker is very well seasoned by now, and I am really leaning toward just using kingsford blue exclusively now. I use it in my other cookers with wood chunks, and I absolutely love the way they work, consistently burn, and are consistent bag after bag.

The Royal Oak red bags I get from Home Depot here in Orange County are by far the best I have used in terms of lump, but I am just tired of spending the money on a 4 or 5 bag purchase, and having 2-3 of those bags being mostly crumbs that plug up the bottom grate.

Thanks in advance. Im headed to the Depot now to get some stuff for a home project, gonna give the lump one last go, but I think I am pretty much convinced on making the switch to briquettes all across the board in my cookers.

Novass · 08-16-2014, 01:31 PM

I have real good luck with B&B lump. I get it from either central market or academy sports here I d/fw area. don't know bout CA though.

loco_engr · 08-16-2014, 02:26 PM

Might try to feel the bag 1st

spyre · 08-16-2014, 02:37 PM

I use this in my kamado joe. It is a really good mix with a lot of really big awesome chunks and good medium size ones too. Burns really cleanly, lasts great for 15 hour smokes or crazy hot steak/pizza searing. I've gone thru 4 of the 35lb bags and all have been consistent. Hard to beat having it delivered right to your door two and not having to deal with putting it in your car or anything like that.

Amazon.com : Fogo FHWC35LB 35-Pound All Natural Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal Bag : Outdoor Grilling Charcoal : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Moose · 08-16-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loco_engr

Might try to feel the bag 1st

Great suggestion. I always do this - if I'm feeling a lot of dust and filler either on the bottom of the bag or on the sides, it's going to be a dud.

Wickedcajun · 08-16-2014, 02:39 PM

Cajun Ty turned me on to Ozark Oak for the same reason... I've only used one bag... Royal oak was my favorite for flaver, but I also had issues with the size... I guess Size does matter... Huh??? Lol

chuMP · 08-16-2014, 02:45 PM

I have the Vision as well. At first I experimented with the stuff I could find locally. Then I did some research and I decided to order some stuff from Amazon. The Amazon Prime membership got me free shipping, and the range of products was great. After a little shopping and experimentation I found a product I really like. Good mild smoke from just the lump, excellent size consistency, and clean burning with very little popping. Very inexpensive as well. Comes in 10 lb bags. Only catch is that it ships in bundles of 5, so 50lbs to get it and see if it is gonna work for you. The name of the lump is Hasty Bake.

ssv3 · 08-16-2014, 04:52 PM

Ive nevervhad an issue with RO but I prefer Cowboy, yes Cowboy. Now here and there I get small pieces but I dump it all in and never had an issue in the kamado or otherwise.

toys4dlr · 08-16-2014, 05:02 PM

I like to dump the bags into a storage container and sort them by size. that has helped get rid of the fines in the bag that clog up the holes.

drjiveturkey · 08-16-2014, 05:20 PM

Here is what I use

Quebracho QHWC40LB 40-Pound Carbon de Lena Hardwood Charcoal Bag:Amazon:Patio, Lawn & Garden

smoke ninja · 08-16-2014, 05:27 PM

I like the bags of lump from gfs. The pieces are not large but are consistent. The whole bag is usable

randygwatkins · 08-17-2014, 08:26 AM

For all things "lump"...take a look at www.nakedwhiz.com Some of the reviews are a bit old, but you can get a good idea of the differences between brands, as well as some other useful info.
Good luck!

Webee · 08-17-2014, 04:46 PM

I have a 40 year old Kamado that i inherited(aquired, took, absconded with, truth be told) from my parents, and it has never seen lump. I KNOW that lump is the prefered way to cook, but since my original owners manual said briquettes, that is what was always used. I've had it for the last 30 years, and to be honest, I only heard about lump after my brother purchased a BGE. I can say this-1) Everything that I have cooked on it has always tasted great. 2) You deal with a lot of ash, and although I've never had ash blow up onto my meat, I suppose i can happen. I am leary of lump because I am VERY protective of my Kamado, and was worried about higher heat possibly causing cracks, but I have been told by the Brethren that this wont happen, so I plan on trying it. Just wanted to add my 2 cents on the taste issue.

Happy Hapgood · 08-17-2014, 05:11 PM

I don't have a Kamando but I've had a WSM for close to four years. I bought some Cowboy lump which really sucked. I could see pieces of door jamb trim and other construction filler in the bag. As you said, with other brands it's been mostly crumbs dust. I went with KBB and never looked back. Light it right and give it time to ash over properly, there no after taste.

charrederhead · 08-17-2014, 07:17 PM

Seems like a rerun thread to me.

08-16-2014, 01:02 PM	#1
saychz316 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-05-12 Location: Cypress, CA	Lump frustrations, need Kamado help. To the Bretheren, I currently own a few cookers. One of my favorites is my Vision Kamado I picked up from Costco last year. It took some learning, I am far from a master at it, but I can make some really tasty food with it. The Kamado is a really powerful tool in the backyard cooking world. That being said. Lump charcoal is getting the best of me it seems. I can't seem to find any consistency in the bags. By consistency, I mean volume or size. I have tried Royal Oak. Really good stuff, but one bag will have nice decent size "lumps", and the next will look like a bag of 1" crumbs when I open it up. I have tried Frontier from Lowes, cooking consistency was a bit off, but not too bad. I have tried the hardwood lump at BBQ's galore and it was wet, dense, horrible burning lump. I tossed the bag after 2 cooks with it. But the common thread is size consistency. I understand that there are all different sizes in the bag due to it not being a manufactured product like briquettes, but an entire 20# bag of crumbs with maybe 5 decent size pieces to set a base with is getting tiresome. I know the preferred method of fuel is lump charcoal for these cookers. Is it a crime to use kingsford in these things? Does it really ruin the ceramic and change the dynamics of the cooker and taste of the food? My cooker is very well seasoned by now, and I am really leaning toward just using kingsford blue exclusively now. I use it in my other cookers with wood chunks, and I absolutely love the way they work, consistently burn, and are consistent bag after bag. The Royal Oak red bags I get from Home Depot here in Orange County are by far the best I have used in terms of lump, but I am just tired of spending the money on a 4 or 5 bag purchase, and having 2-3 of those bags being mostly crumbs that plug up the bottom grate. Thanks in advance. Im headed to the Depot now to get some stuff for a home project, gonna give the lump one last go, but I think I am pretty much convinced on making the switch to briquettes all across the board in my cookers. __________________ Vision Kamado, 2 Weber Kettles and a really sweet Santa Maria Grill

08-16-2014, 01:31 PM	#2
Novass Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-15-10 Location: Wylie texas Name/Nickname : Greg	I have real good luck with B&B lump. I get it from either central market or academy sports here I d/fw area. don't know bout CA though. __________________ 22.5 ots, 26.75 otg, uds, Big Joe in black, 30x84 deluxe Shirley fabrication(sold)

08-16-2014, 02:26 PM	#3
loco_engr is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-24-11 Location: Lansing KS	Might try to feel the bag 1st __________________ LRG & Mini BGE , super fast Kansas State purple Thermopen!

08-16-2014, 02:37 PM	#4
spyre On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-01-13 Location: San Diego, CA	I use this in my kamado joe. It is a really good mix with a lot of really big awesome chunks and good medium size ones too. Burns really cleanly, lasts great for 15 hour smokes or crazy hot steak/pizza searing. I've gone thru 4 of the 35lb bags and all have been consistent. Hard to beat having it delivered right to your door two and not having to deal with putting it in your car or anything like that. Amazon.com : Fogo FHWC35LB 35-Pound All Natural Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal Bag : Outdoor Grilling Charcoal : Patio, Lawn & Garden Amazon.com : Fogo FHWC35LB 35-Pound All Natural Premium Hardwood Lump Charcoal Bag : Outdoor Grilling Charcoal : Patio, Lawn & Garden

08-16-2014, 02:39 PM	#6
Wickedcajun is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-12-14 Location: Charenton, La	Cajun Ty turned me on to Ozark Oak for the same reason... I've only used one bag... Royal oak was my favorite for flaver, but I also had issues with the size... I guess Size does matter... Huh??? Lol __________________ Primo Oval XL(Bernie),2 Weber Kettles,Weber Q,Masterbuilt Smoker,Maverick et-733,thermowand

08-16-2014, 02:45 PM	#7
chuMP Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-19-14 Location: Current - Newnan, GA; Hometown - Baton Rouge, LA Name/Nickname : Gino	my lump adventure, don't use briquettes I have the Vision as well. At first I experimented with the stuff I could find locally. Then I did some research and I decided to order some stuff from Amazon. The Amazon Prime membership got me free shipping, and the range of products was great. After a little shopping and experimentation I found a product I really like. Good mild smoke from just the lump, excellent size consistency, and clean burning with very little popping. Very inexpensive as well. Comes in 10 lb bags. Only catch is that it ships in bundles of 5, so 50lbs to get it and see if it is gonna work for you. The name of the lump is Hasty Bake. __________________ "Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne

08-16-2014, 04:52 PM	#8
ssv3 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-25-12 Location: Los Angeles Name/Nickname : Sako	Ive nevervhad an issue with RO but I prefer Cowboy, yes Cowboy. Now here and there I get small pieces but I dump it all in and never had an issue in the kamado or otherwise. __________________ LSG 24x30 V/O Yoder YS640 DCS 36 Gasser Blackstone Griddle Retrofit Blackstone Pizza Oven WSJ(K) WGA(P) WJJ(CU) W22(BI) W26(CL) Pit Barrer Junior Kingsford Oval (resto mod)

08-16-2014, 05:02 PM	#9
toys4dlr is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-02-07 Location: Phoenix, AZ Name/Nickname : David	I like to dump the bags into a storage container and sort them by size. that has helped get rid of the fines in the bag that clog up the holes. __________________ Q-To-U-BBQ in Cave Creek, Arizona (RIP 2020) 2010, 2011 and 2019 Best BBQ in N. Phoenix Toys 4 BBQ'N Competition BBQ Team 4x Hunsaker Drum Smokers FEC 100 (sold), FEC 120 (sold), FEC 240, FEC 500 (sold), PG 500 Shirley Fab 52 x 24 Patio (sold) 250 gallon trailered Moberg

08-16-2014, 05:20 PM	#10
drjiveturkey On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-07-13 Location: Herndon, VA	Here is what I use Quebracho QHWC40LB 40-Pound Carbon de Lena Hardwood Charcoal Bag:Amazon:Patio, Lawn & Garden Quebracho QHWC40LB 40-Pound Carbon de Lena Hardwood Charcoal Bag:Amazon:Patio, Lawn & Garden

08-16-2014, 05:27 PM	#11
smoke ninja somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-03-14 Location: Detroit michigan	I like the bags of lump from gfs. The pieces are not large but are consistent. The whole bag is usable __________________ Let's all just calm down and smoke a fatty

08-17-2014, 08:26 AM	#12
randygwatkins Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 07-07-14 Location: Keller, TX	Check out this website For all things "lump"...take a look at www.nakedwhiz.com Some of the reviews are a bit old, but you can get a good idea of the differences between brands, as well as some other useful info. Good luck!

08-17-2014, 04:46 PM	#13
Webee Got Wood. Join Date: 06-23-14 Location: Minden, Nevada	I have a 40 year old Kamado that i inherited(aquired, took, absconded with, truth be told) from my parents, and it has never seen lump. I KNOW that lump is the prefered way to cook, but since my original owners manual said briquettes, that is what was always used. I've had it for the last 30 years, and to be honest, I only heard about lump after my brother purchased a BGE. I can say this-1) Everything that I have cooked on it has always tasted great. 2) You deal with a lot of ash, and although I've never had ash blow up onto my meat, I suppose i can happen. I am leary of lump because I am VERY protective of my Kamado, and was worried about higher heat possibly causing cracks, but I have been told by the Brethren that this wont happen, so I plan on trying it. Just wanted to add my 2 cents on the taste issue.

08-17-2014, 05:11 PM	#14
Happy Hapgood somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 03-17-12 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Name/Nickname : Mike	I don't have a Kamando but I've had a WSM for close to four years. I bought some Cowboy lump which really sucked. I could see pieces of door jamb trim and other construction filler in the bag. As you said, with other brands it's been mostly crumbs dust. I went with KBB and never looked back. Light it right and give it time to ash over properly, there no after taste. __________________ Cooking Equipment: Weber WSM, Weber GA, Weber Spirit E-310, Weber 22" OTG Charbroil Oilless Turkey Fryer Wife LuzziAnn 1956 model. Ink Bird IBBQ 4T Wi-Fi Temp Monitor, Superfast LSU Purple Thermapen & ThermaPop, Party Q Ink Bird Sous Vide, HF Flame Thower My Motto these days is "Low Stress, Low Drag". The Artist Formally Known as Toast

08-17-2014, 07:17 PM	#15
charrederhead Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Litchfield County, CT Name/Nickname : Pete	Seems like a rerun thread to me. __________________ hopelessly, helplessly, happily addicted to a shipload of Webers