Lump vs briquet question (Not which do you prefer)

[truckerbob]

I'm a lump guy, but my home built smoker prefers briquets, almost double the time from briquets. I've got plenty of room for the extra ash, so that isn't a concern.
The question I have for the BBQ Gods is, can I add unlit briquets to the firebox without worrying about coating my food with creosote? I'm lighting them in my chimney, then adding them to the firebox, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to get other opinions.

 

[onewondershow]

I like the kingsford competition briquettes, they have a lot less stuff in them than the regular ones. You can also try a few of the other companies who make hardwood briquettes. Sort of a compromise between lump and regular kingsford. I could be wrong but I think as long as your not using any of the lighter fluid ones it should be ok.

 

[foamheart]

You'll be ok, but watch the fly ash when you dump them. Can you not use the minon method?

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/85924/the-minion-method-explained-w-tutorial

 

[truckerbob]

Foamheart, I didn't dare try the minion method on my first smoke with this smoker. I wasn't sure how airtight the firebox was going to be. Last time I tried it, I had too many leaks, and ended up with a firebox full of burning charcoal and wood chunks. My slow and low turned onto a 600F+ raging inferno.
I'll look into the hardwood briquets, I'm just using the 2 pack of Kingsford from Walmart today.

 

[influencer]

My smoker has quite a few leaks and can be a challenge to keep temps stable, but I've found that once I get the temp dialed in, when its time to add some more coals, I can add a handful of briquets unlit and open the vents up a little to aid in getting them started. To make sure I don't send any ash into the air I use a set of tongs and set them in gently one by one, usually only need to add 6-8 at a time to keep temps going steady. The trick is to know about how long you'll get out of them and add some more before the temps start to drop, gives the new coals time to light without the temp dropping too low.

Every time I tried adding lit coals the temp would spike from 225 to 300 and it would take me quite a while to get things settled back down, now I can keep the temp right where I want it.

 

[so ms smoker]

 Hi trucker. Not sure what type smoker you have. In my SFB I use either lump or briquettes with wood chips rather than chunks. The chunks tend to catch fire and burn raising temps and making thick white smoke. A hand full or 2 of chips mixed in with the charcoal gives me nice TBS. I also use a charcoal basket. The best and first mod that I think should be made to any smoker.

   Mike

 

[mountainhawg]

I'll start off with a single layer of briquets then go to lump. Easier to get the bricks lit plus the width of the openings on my fire grate makes it too easy for smaller pieces of lump to fall through. Adding lump after things are going seems to produce less smoke than adding briquets and I rarely do it anymore. If I do I only add Competition which to me is on par with good lump.

 

[truckerbob]

 Hi trucker. Not sure what type smoker you have. In my SFB I use either lump or briquettes with wood chips rather than chunks. The chunks tend to catch fire and burn raising temps and making thick white smoke. A hand full or 2 of chips mixed in with the charcoal gives me nice TBS. I also use a charcoal basket. The best and first mod that I think should be made to any smoker.

   Mike

IMG_20130609_202706.jpg

• truckerbob
• Jun 13, 2013

This is my baby...

 

[dummy que]

ROYAL OAK brickets (Kroger,walmart,Winn Dixie) royal oak makes all of these Kroger use to be made by hickory sprsaltes (liquid smoke) they where bought by bob evens who sold off the charcoal division to royal oak far better than blue bag (made by Clorox) you should have no problem with creosote with cook chamber of that size

 

[sknabnoj]

Man, In a chamber that size I almost think you should just start with a bed of charcoal and burn splits the rest of the way. I would start with a full chimney of charcoal and once those are going throw on two small splits and see where that takes you... it may be easier to control that way. What say ye fellow smokers?