Best big box store charcoal?

[broozer]

I'm looking for suggestions. I currently alternate between Kingsford and Walmart's Cowboy brand. Are there others I should be looking at? I'm looking for long burns on a Bronco smoker.

 

[jcam222]

Lots of options but for long burns at a great price try the B&B competition char logs. Walmart carries them. They burn long , hot and clean

 

[DougE]

Google naked whiz. They do burn time tests, for all charcoal, as well as size of the chunks (for lump) and how much waste (dust) is in each bag.

 

[Chasdev]

I wish I knew where I could buy B+B and Cowboy that did not suck but in the mean time head over to Costco and buy TWO jumbo bags of the best briquettes ever sold for $18.

 

[Apriliamille]

Our local Home Depot and Scheels stocks jealous devil maybe yours does? And yes I'm a fan boy. This is my local tractor supply offering me 5 bucks a bag last November when they were clearing out the BBQ section

 

[jcam222]

Our local Home Depot and Scheels stocks jealous devil maybe yours does? And yes I'm a fan boy. This is my local tractor supply offering me 5 bucks a bag last November when they were clearing out the BBQ section


View attachment 701271

I'd have filled my garage at that price for sure. That and FOGO are premium lump for sure. I like B&B lump as well but lately a lot of fines in the bags. The B&B char logs are awesome though

 

[Apriliamille]

@jcam222 originally i had bought the entire pallet and i saw someone kind of frowning a sad face so i gave up 4 bags for him so i can feel im not being a selfish jerk, but this definitely will last a while considering im using it in my weber kamado and it seems to be rather efficient

 

[Apriliamille]

funny thing is that i am in the store frequently and the manager was trying to offer up the rockport brand to me.. all i could do was smile and say "oh heccckkkkkk no"

edit, it was rockport now cowboy

 

[seenred]

For briquettes, I usually buy B&B. In my area they are found at either Academy Outdoor stores or Ace Hardware. When I don't buy B&B, I find that either Royal Oak or Kingsford Blue work just about as well.

If you're looking at lump coal, about the only brand I buy is B&B - either the hickory of the oak.

Red

 

[Smokin Okie]

For briquettes, I usually buy B&B. In my area they are found at either Academy Outdoor stores or Ace Hardware. When I don't buy B&B, I find that either Royal Oak or Kingsford Blue work just about as well.

If you're looking at lump coal, about the only brand I buy is B&B - either the hickory of the oak.

Red

I'll second that on the lump, the hickory has a delicious smokey aroma. And the oak ain't bad , either.

 

[gmc2003]

I find that B&B burns slower and longer. KBB burns quicker, shorter and I think hotter. Each has a place.

 

[912smoker]

And B&B Char Logs seem to burn the cleanest. Want to try the Blue Hog logs but haven't seen them in the area yet.

Keith

 

[texomakid]

I'm still working my way through all of these. It's been over a decade since I used charcoal on a regular basis. A lot more options on the market these days. B & B is a solid bang for the buck.

 

[jcam222]

For briquettes, I usually buy B&B. In my area they are found at either Academy Outdoor stores or Ace Hardware. When I don't buy B&B, I find that either Royal Oak or Kingsford Blue work just about as well.

If you're looking at lump coal, about the only brand I buy is B&B - either the hickory of the oak.

Red

I was a B&B lump guy forever from our local Ace. Last half dozen bags were loaded with fines so I tried the FOGO lump from ACE. VERY good stuff and not much more. If you get a chance try it out

 

[seenred]

I was a B&B lump guy forever from our local Ace. Last half dozen bags were loaded with fines so I tried the FOGO lump from ACE. VERY good stuff and not much more. If you get a chance try it out

I've actually been thinking about moving away from lump charcoal altogether and just using briquettes for both my gravity feed smoker and my kettle. One thing that's always bugged me about every lump brand I've tried is the sparks. I've burned holes in more than a few shirts over the years lighting lump charcoal.

Also, I watched a recent test done by America's Test Kitchen - where their testing determined that lump didn't really perform any better than briqs. They found briqettes burn just as hot, and more consistently. I wanted to see for myself, so I did some comparison cooking myself. And I have to admit I couldn't really tell much difference. This makes me think I might just stick with briqs only. They're usually less expensive than lump, and I would only need to store one kind of charcoal in my garage.

Red

 

[DougE]

I've actually been thinking about moving away from lump charcoal altogether and just using briquettes for both my gravity feed smoker and my kettle. One thing that's always bugged me about every lump brand I've tried is the sparks. I've burned holes in more than a few shirts over the years lighting lump charcoal.

Also, I watched a recent test done by America's Test Kitchen - where their testing determined that lump didn't really perform any better than briqs. They found briqettes burn just as hot, and more consistently. I wanted to see for myself, so I did some comparison cooking myself. And I have to admit I couldn't really tell much difference. This makes me think I might just stick with briqs only. They're usually less expensive than lump, and I would only need to store one kind of charcoal in my garage.

Red

Yeah, lump is definitely sparky as all get out. I'm up in the air as far as the flavor with lump VS briquettes and all the other crap they add to briquettes.

 

[seenred]

Yeah, lump is definitely sparky as all get out. I'm up in the air as far as the flavor with lump VS briquettes and all the other crap they add to briquettes.

I’m a firm believer that all briquettes are not created equally.

Red

 

[chopsaw]

I've been buying the Orange bag of B&B . It is slow to light , but it burns HOT !
I think it last longer too . I've only direct grilled or offset hot and fast with it . Have yet to do a snake or longer cook , but I like it .
Like the surface of the sun .

 

[jcam222]

I've been buying the Orange bag of B&B . It is slow to light , but it burns HOT !
I think it last longer too . I've only direct grilled or offset hot and fast with it . Have yet to do a snake or longer cook , but I like it .
Like the surface of the sun .
View attachment 701364

I think I still have a half dozen bags of that I got on a super clearance from Wally world. I used it in the kettle mostly. Pretty good stuff.

 

[chopsaw]

Pretty good stuff.

I like it .
Your package is on my desk . Coming your way soon .