Floorboard scrap in Cowboy lump Charcoal

pgsmoker64 · Jun 14, 2011

Hi all,

I recall a recent thread where the quality of Cowboy lump charcoal came into question.

I stated that I had seen flooring scraps in the Cowboy coals and at least one person disagreed with my assessment.

Just this weekend I opened an old bag of Cowboy that I had to cook some hamburgers & hotdogs. (I would never use this stuff in my smoker again).

As I poured the charcoal into my chimney starter I once again found a piece of flooring scrap, so my son and I took a couple pictures.

In this photo you can see clearly the grooves in the "down side" of the flooring board.

This one shows the tongue side of the tounge and groove of a flooring board.

This final picture shows the groove side.

Take if for what it's worth. I just thought I should bring this to the attention of anyone who is considering Cowboy lump charcoal.

Regards,

Bill

tjohnson · Jun 14, 2011

If the scrap was new and unfinished, I would think it's OK, but if it was used flooring, it would contain chemicals from the stain, or finish. These chemicals could make people sick!

I would think the company would come forward and post a statement as to where the wood flooring originated from.

Until they do so, I would boycott their products

Todd

desertlites · Jun 14, 2011

I also have found tounge & groove scraps in cowboy, im sure its from unfinished wood. After 2 bags I wasnt impressed with the brand and quit useing it.

sqwib · Jun 14, 2011

What Todd said

Hardwood is hardwood flooring scraps are ok, just as long as theres no shiny bits or funny colored residue.

alelover · Jun 14, 2011

I wouldn't trust it. I've heard too many bad things about this charcoal.

SmokinAl · Jun 14, 2011

I used it once, that was enough for me.

fpnmf · Jun 14, 2011

Floorboard scrap is well known to be in their charcoal..

The company states it is not from finished wood.

I much prefer R.O.

here's the big story....http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag6.htm

Have a great day!!!

Craig

venture · Jun 14, 2011

Craig's link will tell you all you need to know. I have heard so many complaints about Cowboy that I have never gone near it. I use R.O. as do many on this forum.

Good luck and good smoking.

retread · Jun 14, 2011

I don't have an issue with the fact that they make charcoal out of various scrap pieces of worked wood like what was shown. As a matter of fact, I think that's actually pretty commendable (so long as they don't use finished, or treated, wood). The problem I have with cowboy charcoal is that sometimes they use mesquite limbs and branches instead of hat scrap wood and the two different types of wood behave totally differently. I just got my second bag of basically mesquite charcoal. Some of the pieces were HUGE!. The trouble was I had planned wanted to use them to roast a chicken with a rotisserie. I had baskets made to hold normal Cowboy charcoal, once it was started, so I could get good indirect heat. Opened the new bag and all I found was mesquite chunks which wouldn't fit in my charcoal baskets. What I want is a CONSISTANT product which will behave the same way, every time. Over the past 4 years, I think I have gotten 3 bags which were mostly mesquite instead of scrap processed wood.

fpnmf · Jun 14, 2011

I don't always look for the best or lowest price on a number of things in this hobby.

Take the amazen smoker rig for example.. I could prolly find cheaper dust.

I like what I get from Todd because it works great!! No reason to change.

Same with charcoal.. I have used quite a few brands.

I get the best results using R.O. .. Big Green Egg charcoal works great too but it is a little pricey.

And the fact is BGE charcoal is the high end product from R.O.

I use Kingsford Blue to start smokes in my WSM and for grilling in my BGE.

Try out some other charcoal and find one you like.

Have a great day!

Craig

venture · Jun 14, 2011

OMG. You use Kingsford Blue? Like I do for grilling or warming up the smoker?

When will this blasphemy stop!

Good luck and good smoking.

meateater · Jun 14, 2011

Cowboy is garbage! Just from personal experience. I just as well use pallets.

weberinpa · Jun 15, 2011

PGSmoker64, it was me who "Disagreed" with you, Simply based on what I've seen.

No arguing here with what you found.

As I stated tho I never found any myself, and I used CB quite a bit. But I believe you 100%.

Luck of the draw I guess, Tho as others have said if its raw scraps It should not be harmful.

Personally if I could get a truckload of untreated hardwood flooring scraps I would take it, Wood is wood to me.

And I agree with others about the consistency. I just tend to sort it according to size in empty bags.

Bearcarver · Jun 15, 2011

I don't like Cowboy brand because of the fireworks it creates, but as long as the hardwood is all unfinished wood, without any MDF, cork, or particle board backing, it shouldn't be a problem.

Cowboy should be great for the 4th !

Bear

pgsmoker64 · Jun 15, 2011

Not trying to call anyone out on thiw WeberInPA, just making a point.

I wish you all the best in your smoking and am willing to help any way I can.

I just tried out my first bag of Royal Oak lump (that my lovely bride picked up at Wal-Mart, because I won't go in there) and it was awesome. I have some Cowboy left over from when I first started using lump. I typically use that for the grill and not the smoker.

But hey....different strokes for different folks....that's what makes the world go 'round!

My main issue is with the lack of shape consistency with the Cowboy. Some are flat and long, some are chunks. If all were chunks or all flat I might be able to deal with it a little better.

Regards,

Bill

WeberInPA said:
PGSmoker64, it was me who "Disagreed" with you, Simply based on what I've seen.

No arguing here with what you found.

As I stated tho I never found any myself, and I used CB quite a bit. But I believe you 100%.

Luck of the draw I guess, Tho as others have said if its raw scraps It should not be harmful.

Personally if I could get a truckload of untreated hardwood flooring scraps I would take it, Wood is wood to me.

And I agree with others about the consistency. I just tend to sort it according to size in empty bags.

Floorboard scrap in Cowboy lump Charcoal

Master of the Pit

Smoking Guru

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Smoking Guru

Master of the Pit

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Smoking Guru

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Smoking Guru

Legendary Pitmaster

Newbie

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Master of the Pit

Similar threads

Hot Threads