Best Charcoal?

[jeepnmatt]

Can I use matchlight in my smoker......LOL jk i wouldn't touch the stuff

I am new and just bought a vertical charcoal smoker

I've been grilling for years and I never have used gas always charcoal... Hardwood lump charcoal at that. But is that best to use in a smoker? or does it really matter? I also will be putting applewood chips in a foil bindle for smoke. Any suggestion?

What i normally use is a brand called cowboy charcoal... it's "natural" though i have never seen a charcoal tree in the woods before.........lol

 

[thestealth]

There are many differing opinions on this.  Nakedwhiz.com (I think) has tested most of the available charcoals, both lump and briquettes.

Cowboy Lump rates pretty low by most, Royal Oak is said to be better.

For me personally, I use regular old Kingsford Briquettes.  The do produce a lot of ash and some have issues with the binders, mold release agents on them.  It doesn't bother me however.  They are readily available, at times can  be picked on sale for $11 bucks for 40#'s.  What I do like about them, from bag to bag to bag, I know exactly what to expect.  Consistency is the key for me.  I've tried a few lump charcoals, and for long extended cooks, I was never sure what to expect with them as each bag was different.

That's my 2 cents anyways. :-)

 

[porked]

There's another thread on here about charcoal, you should look it up. I like Royal Oak the best, although I haven't seen many other choices around here other than Cowboy which is everywhere. RO is alot better than Cowboy, bigger pieces, it burns quick but the coals seem to last longer. I also use splits of wood for cooking with the lump, and then of course some fruitwood for flavor.

 

[thestealth]

There's another thread on here about charcoal, you should look it up. 

There's probably a hundred threads on Charcoal around here...  Honesly, short of "match light" or using lighter fluid, there really is no wrong charcoal (just some a little better than others).  Just experiment and figure out what works best for you.  Really, in the end, all that matters is how the "Q" turns out. :-)
 

 

[irie]

There's probably a hundred threads on Charcoal around here...  Honesly, short of "match light" or using lighter fluid, there really is no wrong charcoal (just some a little better than others).  Just experiment and figure out what works best for you.  Really, in the end, all that matters is how the "Q" turns out. :-)

best advice in this thread. Don't over think it, its only a heat source. 

 

[jirodriguez]

Here is a link to a site that tests and rates most of the available brands of lump charcoal: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm  

If you have access to the Royal Oak red bag lump, that is great consistant stuff to use.

 

[SmokinAl]

I know a lot of the guys won't use anything but lump, and RO is very good, but I use regular Kingsford blue bag briquettes. It's very economical & does the job.

 

[porked]

It must be charcoal month.

 

[desertlites]

If you live out a ways u could always make your own! I'ts kinda fun. Specialy in Az. In july.

 

[jeepnmatt]

where do you get RO at? Haven't seen it my way. my smoker is curing right now, its holding up around 350 or so after about 15 mins.

 

[cliffcarter]

Wal-Mart is usually well stocked with RO lump.

Stubbs briquettes are excellent IMHO, but, like any briquette, the will produce a lot of ash.

 

[meateater]

I use Kingsford blue bag when I can sneak a charcoal smoke. 

 

[jeepnmatt]

Got some other issues more important that charcoal. Getting the feeling fuel isn't as important as temperature and meat and sauce and........wow alot goes into a good smoke lol. I hope to master this sometime, already have half a notebook full of ideas for upgrades and otehr advice

 

[benswholehogbbq]

Count me in the plain-ol Kingsford club. Like someone else said, it's consistent. You know what it's gonna' do, bag after bag. I've never liked the lump charcoal, I dont like the way it burns. Too inconsistent.

Kingsford DOES produce alot of ash I guess, but I tend to be real attentive to the smoker, and clean it out every few hours during the smoke.

Plus, 2- 23lb bags for $15 ? Hard to beat 

 

[richoso1]

I only use RO lump (USA), and these are the reasons. Very consistent burn, Little or no sparking, very little ash at the end of a burn. I combine RO with hardwood chunks for my smokes. I always find it at Wally World, and I buy 8-10 bags at a time It's all good my friend.

 

[cwalk]

I tried and tried to adapt to the RO lump but my smoker does not like it. I honestly get better smokes and consistent temps by using briquetts.

 

[richoso1]

I tried and tried to adapt to the RO lump but my smoker does not like it. I honestly get better smokes and consistent temps by using briquetts.

You've got to go with whatever works for you, and you've found the right stuff.It's all good my friend.