Q about Lump for a WSM

[Truck405]

Just received my 22 1/2 WSM this afternoon. All together, ready to go. I was looking through the instruction manual and it says NOT to use lump charcoal. I spoke with a Weber customer service rep about my missing cover and asked about the lump. She told me it would burn too hot and eventually go through the charcoal chamber. Any truth to this? Any preference to briquettes if this is the way I have to go?

 

[NorthwestBBQ]

I know lots of folks who use lump in their WSM's, however, I use Kingsford exclusively in mine.

 

[Ron_L]

She told me it would burn too hot and eventually go through the charcoal chamber.

Ummm... Really? She really said that? Geez... I've never heard that before. I have used lump quite ofter in mine, but I tend to use briquettes for long cooks because I am able to get longer burn times.

 

[Derek]

Just received my 22 1/2 WSM this afternoon. All together, ready to go. I was looking through the instruction manual and it says NOT to use lump charcoal. I spoke with a Weber customer service rep about my missing cover and asked about the lump. She told me it would burn too hot and eventually go through the charcoal chamber. Any truth to this? Any preference to briquettes if this is the way I have to go?

One thing I've learned over the years dealing with reps about questions like this is not to ask them.

That's why darpa invented the net

And don't worry your in good hands here on this forum, These guys & girls ROCK!!!

They're the real version of Hank Hill ( for char coal, not propane )

 

[Harbormaster]

..the instruction manual ... says NOT to use lump charcoal. Weber customer service rep told me it would burn too hot and eventually go through the charcoal chamber.

More than likely it's a CYA thing for Weber. Can lump get too hot? Sure, so could briqs if you don't control your fire. I use lump in mine often, used to be exclusively. Never had a melt down yet!

That's why darpa invented the net

No, AlGore invented the internet. I know that to be a fact because I read it on the internet.
:becky:

Dude, I'm pulling your leg and trying to see who I can get riled up!

 

[bassace]

I used lump in my 18.5 today when I made pastrami. I've never had a problem with lump, although I use briquettes for long cooks.

 

[lsffbabw]

We use WSM's for all of our cooks. We have found a combination of Kingsford Comp briquettes and lump works best. The rep is right, the smaller pieces of lump end up falling through the grate and don't do you much good. We try to pick out some larger chunks of lump and toss it in with the Kingsford.

 

[redhawk]

It seems that Kingsford and Weber kind of have a handshake deal when they promote bbqing. It seems that on the Kingsford ads, they always use a kettle and on Weber commercials they hint at using Kingsford. So I'm sure Weber just recommends briquettes because they are a known factor and because they are partners in promoting BBQ.

 

[Derek]

We use WSM's for all of our cooks. We have found a combination of Kingsford Comp briquettes and lump works best. The rep is right, the smaller pieces of lump end up falling through the grate and don't do you much good. We try to pick out some larger chunks of lump and toss it in with the Kingsford

Could always rig up a Aluminum foil catcher that could fit between the grate & the bottom of the smoker.

 

[Truck405]

And don't worry your in good hands here on this forum, These guys & girls ROCK!!!

Thanks Derek, Knew you guys would steer me straight.

Thanks all for your help.

 

[Smokey Al Gold]

More than likely it's a CYA thing for Weber. Can lump get too hot? Sure, so could briqs if you don't control your fire. I use lump in mine often, used to be exclusively. Never had a melt down yet!



No, AlGore invented the internet. I know that to be a fact because I read it on the internet.
:becky:

Dude, I'm pulling your leg and trying to see who I can get riled up!

^
Darn beat me to it! Al gore did invent the internet by the way. I say use all the lump you want to you'll be fine.

 

[JD McGee]

The only problem using lump is that it falls through the charcoal grate. To remedy this I would purchase another grate and wire it 90 degrees to the other one...this will keep your lump burning longer and allow less hot coals to drop to the bottom.

 

[deez butts]

I use lump in my WSM and don't think it would be an issue either way. One other point is that if you use minion method you probably don't have to worry about this too much.

 

[thunter]

I used to use lump in my WSMs but now I stick with Kingsford. Call me crazy but I get a much more dependable and long-lasting burn with K over lump.

 

[Harbormaster]

The only problem using lump is that it falls through the charcoal grate. To remedy this I would purchase another grate and wire it 90 degrees to the other one...this will keep your lump burning longer and allow less hot coals to drop to the bottom.

JD is wise!

I have all of my WSMs outfitted in this configuration. Works grate!! :roll:

 

[mwmac]

The only problem using lump is that it falls through the charcoal grate. To remedy this I would purchase another grate and wire it 90 degrees to the other one...this will keep your lump burning longer and allow less hot coals to drop to the bottom.

JD is correct on this easy mod. I only use lump now (USA RO or wicked good) packed tight it gives 12+ hour burns with fuel to spare.:thumb:

 

[bmanMA]

I used to use lump in my WSMs but now I stick with Kingsford. Call me crazy but I get a much more dependable and long-lasting burn with K over lump.

ur crazy.
i have seen the same with some lump, not the same with others. for example, royal oak seems to burn hot and fast while wicked good seems to burn hot and slow. i did a brisky on wicked good and had left overs.

same for briqs. used K for years and recently swapped to RO chef briqs. I think they are more betterer.

 

[rookiedad]

maybe the 22.5's are made thinner or with a cheaper material that will not stand up to heat as well as the old ones

 

[augie]

maybe the 22.5's are made thinner or with a cheaper material that will not stand up to heat as well as the old ones

The same warning was included with the 18.5" that I bought four years ago.

I've had nothing but lump in mine for over two years with zero problems.

 

[Truck405]

I went out this morning and bought another charcoal grate and tied the 2 at 90 degrees to each other. Picked up some kingsford briquettes and have a mix of lump and briq. going now. A few fresh chickens, some wings and a small sausage ring for the 1st run. Thanks again to all who added.
John