Question about Rancher...

[MTHank]

Last year when HD had Rancher on sale, I like most stocked up. The only place I had to store this charcoal was in an “unheated” garage which the temperature was at a max temp. of 0 deg. F and as cold as 20 deg. F below zero for a period of 30 to 40 days. Now I am not sure if this happened when I first got yjr Rancher but now after it is lit and gray (maybe 20 min.) if touched or when I shake the smoker to shake ash down the Rancher falls apart in a spray of small sparks. If I don’t shake the smoker the Rancher holds it’s shape and continues to burn. I have had Kingsford stored in this same way and not ever had this problem… Is this common for Rancher? Does Rancher absorb moisture more than Kingsford?

Thanks all...

 

[Transformer BBQ]

what was the charcoal stored on? Cement?

 

[Harbormaster]

I haven't noticed anything like that.
In fact, this winter I moved 4 bags from storage in the garage rafters (unheated, lows below -20) and put them in the Q storage unit outside by the pits. Used them in the WSM, Brinkman offset, and 22.5" kettles and haven't noticed anything.
Then again, I don't 'poke' or 'shake' the coals when cooking either.
I have noticed that if I use Rancher on low and slow cooks, after they die they do tend to break apart easily. Not complaining because I got it all so cheap.

 

[MTHank]

what was the charcoal stored on? Cement?

Yes it was stored on a piece of cardboad on "concrete", but I did the same with Kingsfords w/o the same results.

 

[HB-BBQ]

I do not think the storage temps are the issue. Rancher has always done that for me when shaken which I only do lightly now. It is a hardwood briquette that IMO has a weak binder compared to K. It will even spark like lump if you shake the chimney too hard. The coals always break apart after a cook unlike K which stays together and can be reused.

BTW I store mine right on the concrete of our garage but the coldest it ever gets round these parts is 40-45F. Not sure about those negative temps ya'll speak about :lol:

 

[Jeremiah]

This is typical of Rancher for me as well, while it burns just as long as the K does for me, I cannot save it for future use. It does crumble to nothing quite easily once it has been ignited.

 

[MTHank]

Thank you all... Thought it was something I was doing wrong.

 

[Transformer BBQ]

I had a considerable amount of this stuff at one point last year... 600lbs+ I'm guessing. Concrete absorbs a lot of water and I found that the binder in Rancher can break down if it gets too much moisture, which can happen from sitting on floor like that.. and you end up with soft charcoal.
Happened to some of mine last summer.... didn't notice a whole lot of difference in it burning though... mostly mnoticed it when I was playing with the fire... I'd crush the stuff, rather than move it in my firebox. (the stuff still burns though)

 

[ZBQ]

I do not think the storage temps are the issue. Rancher has always done that for me when shaken which I only do lightly now. It is a hardwood briquette that IMO has a weak binder compared to K. It will even spark like lump if you shake the chimney too hard. The coals always break apart after a cook unlike K which stays together and can be reused.

You hit it right on the head Rob.

It's the binder. Does that for me too.

I talked to Eric Krauss from the Original Charcoal Co. on the phone last year and he said that they were going to have a better binder for the 2008 season.

That being said, it still doesn't do me any good because I can't buy it around here.:roll:

 

[Mokin Bandit]

Is rancher worth a try? HD here had some, I have just always been a Kingsford guy.

 

[puff]

I have about 20 bags of Rancher in my unheated garage.
I tried using a bag on my WSM about a month ago. Seems like it smoldered more than it burned. I brought a few bags in the house to dry out and it works fine now. I also had some KF in the garage too and had no problems with it at all. Seems to me the Rancher is like a bunch of sponges soaking up moisture. Hopefully we'll get some warm weather here soon to put it out in the sun to dry it out. I'm worried about it getting moldy. :shock:

 

[Transformer BBQ]

Is rancher worth a try? HD here had some, I have just always been a Kingsford guy.

If you're paying 2.99 a bag for it its worth it... price I heard today from someone, I am getting WG cheaper.

 

[Mokin Bandit]

If you're paying 2.99 a bag for it its worth it... price I heard today from someone, I am getting WG cheaper.

If we are talking an 18lb bag then I am upset I haven't noticed this before. I am going to go check it out.

 

[HB-BBQ]

HD was selling 20# bags for 2.99 around here which is why I stocked up. I figure it was two for one vs buying K at $6-$7 for 18lbs.

 

[puff]

Towards the end of the season (For regular folks) last year.
I walked into the HD near me and the Rancher was $1.99 a bag on clearance. I couldn't resist and bought all they had left. :biggrin: