What's in your smoker?

[jvankirk]

I've been doing a lot if reading on charcoal lately. I own a Weber Kettle and my new favorite is the Pit Barrel Cooker (sorry Kettle). Everything says to use the Kingsford Blue/White. I'm not crazy about additives. I used to use Wicked good lump, but now they have briquettes. Does anyone have experience with the Wicked good briquettes in the PBC? Are burn times and temps similar?  TIA

[LostArrow]

So much of what we perceive as taste is based on expectation that if you feel that the food will taste better using Wicked briquittes it will!
Can I taste the difference ,no.
Can most , no.
Will the PBC work fine on Wicked ...Yes.

[smokeasaurus]

Try Stubbs or Royal Oak briqs  if ya want to stay away from Old Blue........

[TentHunteR]

Try Stubbs or Royal Oak briqs  if ya want to stay away from Old Blue........

Yep, both good brands as well as "old blue".  For briquettes, I really like the Royal Oak brand and have always gotten good consistent results and great flavor.

Much of the store brand charcoal is actually made by Royal Oak. Here's a few that I know of:

Sam's Choice (Wal-mart)
Grill Mark (Ace Hardware)
Food Club - Char King (available at many food chains)
Outdoor Gourmet (Academy Sports)
Ole Diz
Great Lakes
Grill Time
Steak House

[sliding_billy]

I understand your concerns about the additives in "blue," but I prefer the consistency, availability and price of Kingsford (especially the 700+ lbs that I got for less than $5/40 lbs recently).  I would recommend doing a few cooks with the various brands you are looking at and weighing the results.  I think they should all be fine in the PBC, but the Kingsford is recommended for the one reason I mentioned before (consistency).  When it is recommended, it is because a smoker like the PBC is designed for a sort of one size fits all cooking method.  I am sure you can find a method with any of them after enough trial and error.

In the interest of disclosure, I do not have a PBC.  I do use a WSM 22.5" which is of course a fairly similar style of cooker.

[jvankirk]

Thanks all for the great comments. I don't really anticipate tasting much difference in the brands. I'll probably use the rest of my old blue and shift to the Royal Oak Chef's Select. Seems to have less additives.