What Kind of Charcoal Do You Use?

[JohnnyBlaze]

I used this B&B the other day.

It took a long time to get going, but it burned pretty hot and lasted for a good while.

What do you use / recommend?

 

[12thStudStan]

This is likely to turn into a charcoal vs. wood debate, but I use both depending upon what I am cooking and on which pit I am using. When I use charcoal B&B Oak Lump is my choice. It is pretty clean burning and a decent price. I pay about $12 per 20# bag close to home, but B&B sells it direct for $7.80 if you want to pick it up in Weimer.

B&B Price List

I used to be able to get a 50# bag of oak lump near downtown SA that was in an unmarked bag that was a superior product, but I can no longer locate it and assume that is is no longer made.

Get you a pear burner and it will start up pretty fast.

 

[hornian]

I just use the HEB mesquite charcoal. I've tried lump but it is too much work for smoking IMO. If I were going to grill up some steaks I might use it though, it got pretty damn hot.

 

[HornsN04]

I usually use the HEB Mesquite charcoal, also.

 

[Luke Duke]

Kingsford Mesquite

 

[austintexas]

Smoking-I use whatever. It doesn't matter as I'm ultimately just using it to get my wood lit.

Grilling - oak lump

 

[HORNINTHEUSA]

The B&B burns pretty friggin' hot. It's great for steaks and fajitas, etc. I use it when I smoke, initially to get the "real" wood burning but I have to let it die down for an hour or so.

 

[Quadry]

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[NCAAFBALLROX]

El cheapo to get wood started, B&B if I'm doing direct (usually with an Oak, Hickory or Pecan log tossed on for flava-flav).

If anyone's heading past Weimar on the way to Austin & wants to stop & get me a few bags, I'd pay you in advance.

 

[CelisHorn]

 

[Jellydonuts]

I love that B&B charcoal.

Has anyone ever used the hardwood charcoal from Whole Foods? It is made from the unused scraps of hardwood floors. The pieces are all different lengths, with some too big to fit in my smoker or gril (I guess you could break them)l. It is like the island of misfit toys for hardwood charcoal.

 

[cbs]

I typically use B&B.

I have also used the Whole Foods crap. I understand that it's repackaged Cowboy lump, but I could be wrong.

For all you ever wanted to know about lump charcoal, go toThe Link (it's something close to that) and click on the charcoal database.

And no, I'm not making the website name up.

 

[Ankf00]

kamado coconut lump

 

[Macanudo]

Another Kingsford Mesquite guy here. I use mesquite chips at the start to get a little extra oomph going.

 

[Ag with kids]

This is what I've used the last few times. I used to use Kingsford Mesquite until I found it...

 

[GhostOfTomJoad]

I've used various oak lump charcoal from Barbecues Galore & other places in the past for grilling but I pretty much go to CostCo and get a couple of their 2-packs of Kingsford as soon as they become available in early spring for smoking. I've got a good variety of smoke wood chips & chunks on hand & I can always head out to the in-laws' ranch in the hill country for as much aged pecan, oak, and mesquite as I need.

I'll have to keep an eye out for the Kingsford Charwood. I haven't seen that around before.

 

[Hayden_Horn]

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[UpRight]

I don't, I use wood. Preferably apple or hickory.

 

[Ankf00]

charcoal database
The Link
The Link

 

[#3Rules]

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[UpRight]

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[UpRight]

Peach or Oak aren't bad either.

 

[kevwun]

I watched a show on the history channel on how briquettes are made. Nothing like sawdust from who knows how many types of trees with coal mixed in. B&B is hard to beat.