F- lump coal.

I have been using lump coal almost exclusively for almost 20 years now. It started out as a sort hipster thing when I was 18.

I am just really sick of it now.

The Temperature management is so touchy and difficult. It's either super hot or burns out too quickly.

The worst part...

Every freaking bag is 2 thirds usable coal, and 1/3 dust and gravel. I've tried so many brands, and it's just starting to feel like a rip off.

yesterday, I just wanted to grill/quick cook some short ribs (Korean style). I used Kingsford hickory for the first time, and really my first time using briquettes seriously. It was so easy. Temperature was steady and predictable, and the coals were ready to cook with in a short amount of time.

Kingsford makes a great product.

 

Yep, I agree. I’ve had an egg for at least 20 years. Seems like the charcoal quality is going way downhill. A bunch of small shitty pieces for the most part. Pisses me off. I recall there is coconut formed pieces that I saw on effing Amazon a while back, like 5 years ago, but they were expensive. You might be on to something with the briquettes, and loading those into an egg.

that’s pretty interesting

 

Were hipsters defined 20 years ago? but sure.

There is a smoking thread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/food-smokers-and-smoking-tips-tricks-techniques.229517/

 

https://youtu.be/FqdDjNAyPdA?t=8

 

What smoker did you use the kingsford in?

 

This made me laugh!

I like lump cause that’s what we always used growing up at my grandparents house so it’s got some nostalgia there, plus it’s just more aesthetically pleasing to look at and seems more natural but briquettes are definitely more consistent.

 

It was the opposite for me. I always saw my uncles and my dad using Kingsford, so I thought it was some unnatural Baby Boomer thing like Jello Fruit salad.

I was especially taken aback Mesquite lump because I had never seen charcoal spark before. Just a kid back then though.

 

Weber kettle. Not really a smoker, but it does have a SnS style setup.

 

They are very consistent, I use them in a Weber Smokey Mountain and have had great luck over the years. Lump seems to work ok on the charcoal grill for quick cooks like burgers or steaks but they are a real pain in a charcoal smoker with a longer cook.

 

I can’t stand briquettes now after shifting to lump. I use jealous devil. BGE brand isn’t bad either. FOGO is garbage but ships fast and frequently runs promotions. Everything else have tried is straight garbage.

When I get to the bottom of the bag where it’s smaller chunks, I open a new one and pour the smaller stuff on top of a basket in the grill and let it burn out on top.

 

The last few bags of lump I've bought near me have been absolute trash. The absolute last one was literally 50% dust. I know because I weighed it all and sent an email to the company.

To get anything different if have to drive 200km round trip to the city. If I do I usually buy something from Fogo. I've been relativly happy with the Fogo Premium.

Led me to say eff it and get a solid stick burner that I'd been looking at anyway. I have a Yoder offset on order and have a half cord of oak and half cord of maple arriving this week.

 

KBB is my go to for anything direct/indirect grilling. I really liked B&B oak briquettes more than the KBB, but I have a hard time finding them locally and I heard they were bought out by a larger company not too long ago that DGAF about quality.

Lump is great for anything low/slow and getting super searing temps.... using a kamado.

I absolutely love the versatility of how I can change the smoke profile of my low/slow cooks on my MAK 2 star... but it's a pellet pooper.

 

I use KBB almost exclusively. I’ve got some B&B lump at home I’ve been meaning to try.

 

I wanted to like lump, was trying to get away from the additive filled briquettes
but the inconsistent burn and the volcano of sparks made it an unacceptable fuel for my situation

 

I can't stand the shovel full of lump dust I get in the bags.