Lump charcoal

[babydocsmoke]

So, I’m prepping for the “told you so” that’s probably coming with this post, so be gentle…

I’ve used my Kamado hundreds of times. Typically twice a week, at least in the summer. Always with royal oak lump charcoal. Why? It’s cheap. It works. was at Home Depot a couple weeks back and noticed that Jealous Devil was on sale, and it made it actually less expensive than the Royal Oak, so I thought I’d give it a try.

I now realize that I haven’t lived until today. My fam is big on the chicken wings and I have my method down pretty well. I did it think anything could make them better but there was an obvious improvement in taste. It really was substantial. The size of the lump is also very different and the density seems different too. But those wings…to die for! Gonna run another batch in a few hours but now I’m really interested in any recs…what’s your fave?

Went back to Home Depot and bought everything I could carry.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I too have been a fairly recent convert to Jealous Devil from Royal Oak thanks to TNJAKE mostly. I buy mine online from that "A" company...

 

[chopsaw]

Every time I look for it they are sold out , but been wanting to try it .

 

[tbern]

looks like a nice haul!!

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I can never find JD on sale locally. I'd like to try it and compare it with FOGO and the very affordable Masterbuilt Lump that I have been using lately.

 

[Cloud Chaser]

Ya know, this just highlights the element of subjectivity. I'm so happy the OP found his thrill. It has been quite the journey for me to find mine. I was so excited to try out the JD as it came so highly recommended, I did not care for it at all. At least the one bag I have tried, had a very off putting smell to it. What I have grown to appreciate by using KJ Big Block is how wonderful it smells even before "mellowing out" and it adds a nice bit of flavor to anything I cook with it.

I did one cook (tri tip) with the JD and emptied my fire box. That said, if any JD lovers are in the Houston area, I have a bag that I would let go on the cheap. Heck, if there are any Big Block haters that want to swap... Im game! :)

 

[babydocsmoke]

Ya know, this just highlights the element of subjectivity. I'm so happy the OP found his thrill. It has been quite the journey for me to find mine. I was so excited to try out the JD as it came so highly recommended, I did not care for it at all. At least the one bag I have tried, had a very off putting smell to it. What I have grown to appreciate by using KJ Big Block is how wonderful it smells even before "mellowing out" and it adds a nice bit of flavor to anything I cook with it.

I did one cook (tri tip) with the JD and emptied my fire box. That said, if any JD lovers are in the Houston area, I have a bag that I would let go on the cheap. Heck, if there are any Big Block haters that want to swap... Im game! :)

I've never tried KJ itself, so I really interested in trying. I love pretty much all of their products...so I'd assume its probably worth the try. Honestly I've only tried 2-3 different types, and when they all turned out about the same, I thought I'd keep with what was cheap.

 

[Cloud Chaser]

I've never tried KJ itself, so I really interested in trying. I love pretty much all of their products...so I'd assume its probably worth the try. Honestly I've only tried 2-3 different types, and when they all turned out about the same, I thought I'd keep with what was cheap.

I definitely think the Big Block is worth a try.. in about a year for you after that score :) Honestly, if the JD is the one for you, i see no reason to deviate. I tell myself this every time I get to trying another option besides the KJ lately. There is something really special to it for me, even over FOGO. Then again, FOGO does live up to its hype which is clean... way too clean for my taste actually so all of my roads keep leading me back to the KJ Big Block. I agree, their products are amazing!

Fire up something nice my friend!!

 

[mneeley490]

Hmm. I rarely see any lump except Cowboy (which I don't care for) up here in the Seattle area. So please excuse me, but what is KJ Big Block and FOGO?

 

[Cloud Chaser]

Hmm. I rarely see any lump except Cowboy (which I don't care for) up here in the Seattle area. So please excuse me, but what is KJ Big Block and FOGO?

You are in luck, Amazon sells it at a decent price, no markup!

 

[babydocsmoke]

Hmm. I rarely see any lump except Cowboy (which I don't care for) up here in the Seattle area. So please excuse me, but what is KJ Big Block and FOGO?

FOGO I've actually never seen for sale...might need to look a little harder. KJ is the KamadoJoe brand.

 

[fxsales1959]

So, I’m prepping for the “told you so” that’s probably coming with this post, so be gentle…

I’ve used my Kamado hundreds of times. Typically twice a week, at least in the summer. Always with royal oak lump charcoal. Why? It’s cheap. It works. was at Home Depot a couple weeks back and noticed that Jealous Devil was on sale, and it made it actually less expensive than the Royal Oak, so I thought I’d give it a try.

I now realize that I haven’t lived until today. My fam is big on the chicken wings and I have my method down pretty well. I did it think anything could make them better but there was an obvious improvement in taste. It really was substantial. The size of the lump is also very different and the density seems different too. But those wings…to die for! Gonna run another batch in a few hours but now I’m really interested in any recs…what’s your fave?

Went back to Home Depot and bought everything I could carry.

I've recently switched to Masterbuilt lump from Wally world(when they had it. Seems it must have been a one-time buy-in for Wally world as I don't see it anymore. I tried the "Expert Grill" store brand which burnt up like kindling. I found a full chute in my gravity feed lasted way less time than RO. big box house stores (HD and LOWES) haven't had anything enticing lately. I need to stock up before the South Florida gathering, so I'll be searching. budget is a necessity these days with prices out of control. (on everything)

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I've recently switched to Masterbuilt lump from Wally world(when they had it. Seems it must have been a one-time buy-in for Wally world as I don't see it anymore. I tried the "Expert Grill" store brand which burnt up like kindling. I found a full chute in my gravity feed lasted way less time than RO. big box house stores (HD and LOWES) haven't had anything enticing lately. I need to stock up before the South Florida gathering, so I'll be searching. budget is a necessity these days with prices out of control. (on everything)

The MB lump is not bad for the price.

 

[912smoker]

I also like the MB lump but get the best burn time from the B&B Char Logs.
Burns long and clean.

Keith

 

[babydocsmoke]

I've recently switched to Masterbuilt lump from Wally world(when they had it. Seems it must have been a one-time buy-in for Wally world as I don't see it anymore. I tried the "Expert Grill" store brand which burnt up like kindling. I found a full chute in my gravity feed lasted way less time than RO. big box house stores (HD and LOWES) haven't had anything enticing lately. I need to stock up before the South Florida gathering, so I'll be searching. budget is a necessity these days with prices out of control. (on everything)

That Masterbuilt stuff is actually is a similar price for RO. I'll have to try that too! Big lumps of charcoal.

 

[JWFokker]

Check your local grocery stores. I can always find high quality lump charcoal from small brands.

You're paying for FOGO and Jealous Devil marketing when you buy that overpriced hipster charcoal.

 

[Cloud Chaser]

I second JWFokker, that was hilarious!
Also check with your local Lowes and Home Depot. I find my favorite Charcoal and Pellets for my smokers at Lowes.

 

[okie sawbones]

Rockwood lump is my go to.

 

[Marknmd]

Here's a lump database http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm

 

[gmc2003]

I'm not a regular lump user, but I have a bag of Bayou Classic sitting in my garage. Most pieces were good size, about a quarter of the bag were smalls, and I got 5 forearm sized pieces. I was happy with it. Best of all it didn't have any old furniture pieces or scrap metal in the mix.

Chris