If I can't find lump...

[itschris]

I can't seem to find any lump around here. No one seems to carry it that I can find except a couple of the BBQ stores who want twice what it should cost. I want to use lump since it apparently avoids the pitfalls of regular charcoal like Kingsford, i.e. having to burn it in such a way to avoid the fumes contaminating the food.

Do I really have to worry about that or am I just being too paranoid? I have a bag of Rancher Natural Briquettes... how does that differ from say Kingsford?

 

[backyardchef]

I think Rancher burns really well and, in my experience, puts out less ash than Kingsford. Other people have had different experiences. I really like it alot.

Some people say they taste the charcoal when someone does the Minion Method, but in my offset, I've never had a problem throwing unlit briqs in when the coal bed gets low. I used to swear I would only do that with lump. Others say that as the fumes from the burning briqs waft over the fire that the impurities and smells are burned off in the heat.

 

[big blue bbq]

I like the rancher as well, but I also liked using lump. Financially rancher has been cheaper in my area. I use the minion method in my offset and add lit coals after the initial burn is over. With lump you can easily get back up to temps by adding some to the coal bed, I have not had as much success with getting temps back up by adding unlit charcoal. Maybe I need to work on not getting so far down before adding more unlit?? Lump is less ash, but rancher imho is less than kingsford.

 

[backyardchef]

Maybe I need to work on not getting so far down before adding more unlit?? Lump is less ash, but rancher imho is less than kingsford.

That's how I tend to do it. More as a precaution-- I add the briqs before I think I really need them. Once they start to burn I may move them around as needed or if they're in a good spot, let nature take its course....

 

[Harbormaster]

Rancher has received predominantly rave reviews from all that have tried it. No Rancher here in Madison's Home Depot stores, so I can not testify, Brother.
Lump and nothing but at the Wyocena Yacht Club.

 

[Mooner]

If you use the minion method and always keep lit coals on top of unlit coals you will be fine. I used to be on the whole lump kcik too but as you learn Kingford does just as well and in my opinion better because it is man made it doesnt spike like lump does. Keeping the lit coals on top filters out the binders in the charcoal and you wont get any bad effects on your meat.

 

[itschris]

If I end up using Kingsford or even Rancher... the trick is to never put unlit coals atop lit coals. I thought you were only supposed to add a few at a time however. Maybe that why I'm confused. If your heat is beginning to fall off, would you put a whole chimney full of lit coal back in?

I think part of my delimma is that I've been using the lp lighter that came with my Cimarron. It works great. I've been starting with around 8lbs, then get the lighter going for about 5 or so minutes and then I'm good to go. I figured on long duration cooking, I'd have to add more coals but just figured since I'm adding to already lit coals, it was safer just to stick with lump and not worry about it.

When you guys are adding briqettes along the way, typically how much are you adding at once? And I'm assuming you get them up and running in the chimney starter.

 

[gzac83]

I did not like my experience with Rancher Charcoal. Burns okay, but you get alot of white ash which coats everything badley. Also 75% of the briquettes crumble after only one burn in my Weber Kettle.

I usually work with Kingsford and can get 75% of the briquettes to make a second burn. I much prefer Kingsford, is a greatly superior product.

 

[Norcoredneck]

I did notice the crumbling of unburnt coals with rancher.

 

[Grillman40]

I found 40lb bags of best of the west at smart and final...didnt get the price because there was too many bags covering the price. I will call them and ask.

If ya want when I head up that way I can bring you some Pat. Let me know.

pssst I can stash it in yur 85 gal can if ya want

 

[Grillman40]

For some reason I was just talkin out my arse while I was sitting here at work....guess I cant multi task. Thought Norco couldnt find lump up there in the horse country. Sorry

 

[Jaberwabee]

If you are looking for lump charcaol, try an Ace Hardware, alot of them sell different smokers and carry different lumps. I have found one that carries Hasty Bake, one Cleveland Charcoal, and another that has Western Lump. All three are within 10 miles of each other and are independent franchises.

 

[Sledneck]

I can't seem to find any lump around here. No one seems to carry it that I can find except a couple of the BBQ stores who want twice what it should cost. I want to use lump since it apparently avoids the pitfalls of regular charcoal like Kingsford, i.e. having to burn it in such a way to avoid the fumes contaminating the food.

Do I really have to worry about that or am I just being too paranoid? I have a bag of Rancher Natural Briquettes... how does that differ from say Kingsford?

Have you checked costco? When i was down at my inlaws costco had 20# bag of kirkland lump for $8.99

 

[itschris]

I finally found Royal Oak at the WalMart supercenter. The regualr wal marts don't carry it.

You'll find this funny... I called one of the grill shops here in town to ask if they had lump.. that gal told me, "yes, it the Big Green Egg brand." I said, "great, Royal Oak makes that for them I believe." She tell me, "no, it's specially formulated just for the BGE... and it's $28 for a 20lb bag." I asked her what made it special and so expensive and she repeated that it's specially formulated for the BGE. I was so offended by her ignorance and arrogance that I'm going to print out the internet page that shows it's basically Royal Oak Lump sold as BGE Lump just to make a point.

 

[Sledneck]

I finally found Royal Oak at the WalMart supercenter. The regualr wal marts don't carry it.

You'll find this funny... I called one of the grill shops here in town to ask if they had lump.. that gal told me, "yes, it the Big Green Egg brand." I said, "great, Royal Oak makes that for them I believe." She tell me, "no, it's specially formulated just for the BGE... and it's $28 for a 20lb bag." I asked her what made it special and so expensive and she repeated that it's specially formulated for the BGE. I was so offended by her ignorance and arrogance that I'm going to print out the internet page that shows it's basically Royal Oak Lump sold as BGE Lump just to make a point.

yeah but the bag says BGE

 

[RevRuss]

If you have a friend who owns a restaurant, both Sysco and US Foodsystems stock Royal Oak lump. I don't think they sell to public.

BTW I love Rancher and prefer it to lump (but my son the "official" pit master does not).