Charcoal

[cookiecdcmk]

I have used quite a few brands of charcoal and still do not know the best ones.  My friend recommended Jealous Devil.  There are many members here who have a lot of experience, so I would like to get some feedback on their favorite lump and briquette charcoal.  Looking on Google, the ratings are all over the place, and like anything online may be tainted?  I would feel better with recommendation on this site.

[Big Dawg]

Guess I'll jump in 1st and get the discussion started.

  1. I really only use briquets.  I know that there are fans of lump, I'm just not one of 'em.

  2. I really typically use the plain Kingsford Blue.  I don't there are many who are iffy about this one, it's kind of "love it/hate it" kinda thing.





BD

[pmillen]

I like B&B briquettes and Kamado Joe Big Block lump.

The fewer ingredients in briquettes the better.  Don't use Kingsford briquettes unless it's your only choice.  Here's the Kingsford list and some details.  In the first place, it is not all hardwoods.

Wood Char....this is soft wood like spruce and pine, some authorities say that it can be poison
Mineral Char....this is soft coal
Mineral Carbon....this is anthracite (hard) coal
Limestone
Starch
Borax
Sodium Nitrate
Sawdust

Many charcoal briquette manufacturers use only a wheat paste or another vegetable product as a binder.  Competition BBQrs and high-end steak house chefs say that these are much better.  Also, look for charcoal made from only hardwood products.

[Lines]

I've been using Kingsford for over 40 years. Man, I should be belly up by now!

[old sarge]

I've been using lump mesquite.  Friend of mine would bring back a couple of sacks from Mexico when he would visit his family. Good stuff.

[akruckus]

I use Kingsford competition 100% hardwood big bags from Costco.  I likes Stubbs charcoal but I don't even know if they make them anymore.  I have some steel drums at work I was thinking of cutting up and making my own charcoal, but that would take time and effort, 2 things I don't have 99% of the time.

[smokeasaurus]

B&B natural Oak hardwood briquettes. I get them at Ace Hardware.

Much larger than standard briquettes. Less additives and way less ash. Burns for a long long time.

you tube has many videos showing how much better these burn than the competition.

Jealous Devil briquettes would be their only challenger.

[pmillen]

I've been using Kingsford for over 40 years. Man, I should be belly up by now!

   Yeah, It was all I used it for years, too.  So who knows which "experts" are correct.

But—we also have to consider that the effects of many body-damaging activities accumulate over time.  The first cigarette rarely kills a person.

[Ka Honu]

But—we also have to consider that the effects of many body-damaging activities accumulate over time.

Probably past the "accumulation time" for most (or at least many) of us - no use worrying now. Jus' sayin'...

[Lines]

I quit smoking 17 years ago. I must say, that was a very good decision. I am glad I did that.
As far as worrying, Ka Honu is correct, too late for that here!
I do worry sometimes that I don't get the boat out often enough...

[Big Dawg]

Don't use Kingsford briquettes unless it's your only choice.

I've been using Kingsford for over 40 years. Man, I should be belly up by now!

See, like I said, didn't take long . . . .





BD

[Tailgating is my game]

same as Big Dawg

[Lines]

Seriously, we used Kingsford briquettes night before last on our Pilot Rock park grill.
 Some of the best tasting ribeyes I've had for awhile.

[pmillen]

Seriously, we used Kingsford briquettes night before last on our Pilot Rock park grill.
 Some of the best tasting ribeyes I've had for awhile.

I'm asking this not to be argumentative, but to clarify your point...

Are you thinking that it couldn't have tasted differently if different charcoal had been used?  Maybe worse?  Maybe better?

[Lines]

Yes, I'm sure there are other charcoal brands that would impart a different flavor. Better? Possibly. We have a hickory tree in our backyard that loses a few twigs every so often, so I gather those up and save to throw in the Kingsford briquettes for more smoke flavor.
I should venture out and try new brands, but I'm very satisfied using the old standby.