Briquette Choices

[ShakingHorizons]

I am the new owner of a Masterbuilt 560 & 1050 (couldn't decide so I bought both, lol!) and this is my first attempt at charcoal smoking! I have had an electric smoker for almost 10 years and love it, but obviously I don't get the true BBQ flavor like I would on a pit.

What is the preferred briquette charcoal on the forum? Additionally, what is the preferred fire starter - tumbleweed? Fatwood?

Thinking of going with B&B, but would like the most pure form available. No chemicals or other garbage.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[bullfam]

I am a huge fan of Royal Oak Lump Charcoal.

Royal Oak® 100% All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal - Royal Oak

www.royaloak.com

As for lighting the charcoal, the easiest way for me is to put some newspaper in the ash tray below the coal box and I light it.. Royal oak catches pretty quick. Once it is ashed over I toss on chunks of wood and away it goes. That being said, I may experiment with using just wood.

 

[ShakingHorizons]

I am a huge fan of Royal Oak Lump Charcoal.

Royal Oak® 100% All Natural Hardwood Lump Charcoal - Royal Oak

www.royaloak.com

As for lighting the charcoal, the easiest way for me is to put some newspaper in the ash tray below the coal box and I light it.. Royal oak catches pretty quick. Once it is ashed over I toss on chunks of wood and away it goes. That being said, I may experiment with using just wood.

Based on the threads I found here (old threads, hence the post), RO was second on my list - B&B just being a touch cleaner burn.

 

[PPG1]

I have never tried B&B but I've been using RO in my 560 with no complaints. I've gotten my best smoke results by standing a split straight up and down and surrounding it with the RO.

 

[JC in GB]

I like royal oak briquettes.

 

[krj]

I don't have one of the Gravity Series yet, but I have seen a lot of guys post about having great success with the B&B Competition Char-Logs.

 

[ShakingHorizons]

Thanks everyone!

 

[jcam222]

B&B lump is all I use anymore. Burns hot and clean and I have never seen one bit of lumber scrap in it. I’d imagine their briquettes are good too.

 

[SmokinAl]

I don’t have your smoker, but RO briquettes would be my choice. I think the lump may get clogged up in the chute since some of the pieces are quite large.
Let us know what you decide on & how it works!
Al

 

[ShakingHorizons]

Not sure why, but I am having a heck of a time finding charcoal in my area (North Denver) - no one seems to carry B&B or RO!

 

[noboundaries]

Ace Hardware for B&B. You can order it online for delivery to a local store with no delivery charge. Same price as buying in the store.

 

[JC in GB]

Not sure why, but I am having a heck of a time finding charcoal in my area (North Denver) - no one seems to carry B&B or RO!

Do you have any restaurant supply stores near by? I get my charcoal from Gordon Food Service. It is RO but labeled as store brand.

 

[noboundaries]

Other Royal Oak store brands are Embers (Home Depot), Expert Grill (Walmart), and Ridge (Lowes).

 

[PPG1]

Other Royal Oak store brands are Embers (Home Depot), Expert Grill (Walmart), and Ridge (Lowes).

Thank You Shipmate. This is good info to know

 

[ShakingHorizons]

Ace Hardware for B&B. You can order it online for delivery to a local store with no delivery charge. Same price as buying in the store.

Unfortunately no Ace around me carry B&B and shipping shows unavailable to the store or direct to me.

Do you have any restaurant supply stores near by? I get my charcoal from Gordon Food Service. It is RO but labeled as store brand.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will take a look to see if there are any around!

Other Royal Oak store brands are Embers (Home Depot), Expert Grill (Walmart), and Ridge (Lowes).

Embers - This item is not available in any stores within 100 miles
Ridge is readily available at Lowe's though!