Royal Oak Discontinued?

downstatesmoker · Oct 2, 2009

I went to my local supermarket and was informed that Royal Oak Lump was discontinued. I'd have to imagine what it really means is that they are no longer carrying it but wanted to throw it out there and see if any of my SMF brethren had heard anything about this.

Also, does anyone have a web address for Royal Oak? Anyone tried the briquettes instead of the lump? How does it compare to Kingsford?

Thank you in advanced for all of the great advice I'm sure is going to come pouring in.

-Chris

3montes · Oct 2, 2009

Wow I hope this isn't true. A quick google search didn't turn up a .com for Royal Oak

bigsteve · Oct 2, 2009

Don't use Lump, can't help there. But I've used both RO and Kingsford Blue briqs. All things being equal, I think RO briqs have a very slight (barely noticeable) better aroma/taste, and they cost less than Kingsford. However, they don't burn as hot, so you use more, negating the savings. And RO makes an insane amount of ash. Way more than Kingsford blue, which is already a lot.

I get Kingsford at Sams $14.99 for a pack of 2 21.5 pound bags. Hard to beat that. Home depot sells the same twin pack for $15.99 here. So, I use Kingsford blue.

beer-b-q · Oct 2, 2009

Here is their Web address: http://www.royal-oak.com/

Here is the mailing address:
[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]"For over 60 years Royal Oak has been proud to provide you with premium quality natural wood charcoal. We at Royal Oak stand behind our product and offer our guarantee of satisfaction. We want your barbecue to be successful and if you have any comments or questions please write to us at One Royal Oak Avenue, Roswell, GA 30076." [/font]

downstatesmoker · Oct 2, 2009

As always, you guys are the best. I had a feeling it was an uninformed or lazy employee at my local supermarket and not the fact that RO was discontinued, though I am having a problem connecting to them right now. Could be my connection though, it's been flaky this morning.

-Chris

beer-b-q · Oct 2, 2009

It's not looking good for Royal Oak... Their web site doesn't work and I found this article...

If you have an Ace Hardware close by check with them...

travcoman45 · Oct 2, 2009

We got lots of it round here, although the walmart (eh) dosen't carry it in the winter. Menards an fleetfarm got lots, actually been talkin with them bout buyin a pallet in the spring, never mentioned any possibility of not carry in it. Sounds like there down sizen some though.

I like there product so I sure hope they don't go under.

richoso1 · Oct 2, 2009

The Wal Mart in my region of SoCal still has it in stock for $6.37 for a 10 pound bag.

hemi · Oct 2, 2009

I bought all the local k mart had left at 4.16 per18 lb bag.. the people I talked to just told me that they had it on clearance.. Hemi..

chisoxjim · Oct 2, 2009

nooooo!

Royal Oak is the only lump the store I go to carries, I would hate to go back to using briquettes.

downstatesmoker · Oct 2, 2009

too bad. I love their products and being on Long Island in New York there aren't a lot of other chunk options. Cowboy is about the only other kind around. I've heard not great things about Cowboy.

fire it up · Oct 2, 2009

Everywhere around here carries it, even all 3 of the main supermarkets. Acme, Shoprite and Pathmark, Lowes and Home Depot too.
I don't use it myself, I just pick up some blue bag Kingsford and use that as a heat booster and not much more, for my main fuel source I use oak.

gnubee · Oct 2, 2009

Its currently on sale here in Western Canada for $7.95 for the big bag.

DanMcG · Oct 2, 2009

the only lump in town here is cowboy at lowes...I'll stick to my cheap bricks

rickw · Oct 3, 2009

I doubt they're going anywhere, not only do they make their own brand but they also are the manufacturer of other brands. I know GFS brand lump is made by RO.

davenh · Oct 3, 2009

That article is kinda old, from 2005, guess they are still alive.

The only RO lump being stocked around here is the made in Paraguay stuff, no made in USA. More likely the business model is changing more to imported charcoal. Bought a bunch for $3.99 a bag. Burns fine in my smoker, but Naked Whiz site says the Paraguay sucks.

coyote-1 · Oct 3, 2009

If you hear 'discontinued' in October, keep in mind the experience of the English forum member who can no longer purchase ribs because they are a 'summer' product.

Since we all grill & smoke all winter, it might surprise us to know we are in a small minority; most folk have put the grills away til next summer. The store that 'discontinued' RO will likely have it back on the shelves come May 2010.

downstatesmoker · Oct 4, 2009

Unfortunately the store is a mid sized regional chain (King Kullen) which for the last few years has carried RO all year round and continues to carry Kingsford blue all year round (has on the shelves right now).

I am concerned that I haven't been able to get on the RO site for some time. Unfortunately it doesn't look like anyone else carries it in my area :(

Has anyone used the Kingsford all natural briquettes? My only beef with the Kingsford Blue is that they have a lot of additives and chemicals. The all natural are supposed to eliminate that.

Thoughts?

sumosmoke · Oct 4, 2009

Glad someone noticed the date of the article.

hemi · Oct 4, 2009

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I am gonna just use a burn barrel and feed the smoker with a small shovel. It is the way we did it when i was a boy. I can buy white or red oak for 70 bucks for a half cord stacked. Delivered. I still got 6-8 big bags of Royal oak for grilling if needed. Hemi.

Royal Oak Discontinued?

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