Charcoal Observation

[sthomasaz]

So I had been using Royal Oak Lump Charcoal since I bought my stick burner. I made a basket out of expanded metal to burn it in. It worked good, but I was closer to consistently 220 degrees than 250. The last smoke I did, which happened to be my first attempt at a brisket, I thought I would give regular ol Kingsford briquettes a try. 

Huge difference, they burned a lot hotter and was way more consistent. I had to keep my damper almost all the way closed instead of wide open with the lump. 

I'm sure I'm missing something by going briquette over lump, but I'm not sure what. If the next couple of smokes turn out the same way, I might have to permanently move to briquettes. 

Has anyone else had the same experience?

 

[tropics]

I prefer the Bricks over lump

Bricks are all the same size

Lump is unpredictable

Richie

 

[ab canuck]

Good to know, I am buying a weber kettle this week. 

 

[phatbac]

 
So I had been using Royal Oak Lump Charcoal since I bought my stick burner. I made a basket out of expanded metal to burn it in. It worked good, but I was closer to consistently 220 degrees than 250. The last smoke I did, which happened to be my first attempt at a brisket, I thought I would give regular ol Kingsford briquettes a try. 

Huge difference, they burned a lot hotter and was way more consistent. I had to keep my damper almost all the way closed instead of wide open with the lump. 

I'm sure I'm missing something by going briquette over lump, but I'm not sure what. If the next couple of smokes turn out the same way, I might have to permanently move to briquettes. 

Has anyone else had the same experience?

thats weird, i found lump to burn hotter. i use briquettes in my stick burner just to light the fire and then i burn sticks (hence the name). It should save you a ton of money to burn splits in your stick burner than charcoal..

basketBB1.jpg

• phatbac
• Dec 17, 2016

basket2.jpg

• phatbac
• May 23, 2016

basketfire.jpg

• phatbac
• May 23, 2016

Happy Smoking,

phatbac(Aaron)

 

[sthomasaz]

 
thats weird, i found lump to burn hotter. i use briquettes in my stick burner just to light the fire and then i burn sticks (hence the name). It should save you a ton of money to burn splits in your stick burner than charcoal..

basketBB1.jpg

• phatbac
• Dec 17, 2016

basket2.jpg

• phatbac
• May 23, 2016

basketfire.jpg

• phatbac
• May 23, 2016

Happy Smoking,

phatbac(Aaron)

What type of wood do you burn?

 

[phatbac]

 
What type of wood do you burn?

red oak and hickory is what my wood supplier gets me right now. I have used apple and plum wood in my WSM. the plum tree had streaks of purple in the wood and was really good on ribs!

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)

 

[sthomasaz]

 
red oak and hickory is what my wood supplier gets me right now. I have used apple and plum wood in my WSM. the plum tree had streaks of purple in the wood and was really good on ribs!

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)

Are you able to keep steady heat? It would seem you have a lot more fluctuations with wood.

 

[phatbac]

 
Are you able to keep steady heat? It would seem you have a lot more fluctuations with wood.

oh yea once i get my smoker to the temp i want and i close my dampers 3/4 of the way it holds a good temp. i put a stick or two about every hour. sticks about the thickness of a coke can and the length of my forearm. if anything i run hotter than i want instead of colder.

Happy Smoking,

phatbac (Aaron)

 

[SmokinAl]

I might add, that you will get a better taste burning wood.

Al