What charcoal do you use?

[zimq]

Recently switched over from an MES to a Weber Kettle.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of fuel does everyone out there use?

I have done 2 smokes so far.. one with standard Kingsford and one with Royal Oak.

I found that the Kingsford was easier to regulate temp with, but I liked the flavor from the Royal Oak...

What are your thoughts?

 

[forluvofsmoke]

I use kingsford blue bag as well. Less expensive than many other brands, but it does produce a lot of ash, so for longer cooking sessions, this can be the main issue without adequate provisions for ash fallout through a grate, and receiving of the ash until the cook is over...it can be a nuisance if you're not prepared.

Never used Royal Oak myself...hard to find in my area, especially for a reasonable price.

Hardwood lump charcoal produces the least ash by far, over any brand of charcoal briquettes, so this may be the best option if you don't have a cooker that can handle much ash. Lump burns much hotter than briquettes, so, fire control can be an issue if you don't have a reasonably air-tight fire-box and cooking chamber, and of course a good adjustable intake draft control.

Eric

 

[jimpam]

I use lump for the most part, it does burn hotter but that actually helps on long smokes - personal preference!
 

 

[bama bbq]

I like Kingsford Competition, Stubb's, and have recently been using Kingsford with wood chips such as hickory and mesquite (which I think is Kingsford Blue).

 

[mushand]

Blue Bag to start but use 13 inch White and Red oak for heat, and 13 inch cherry and apple for flavor

 

[justin85]

royal oak when i can get my hands on it

 

[fpnmf]

Blue bag and RO..

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm

 

[zimq]

great link!

 

[manana]

around here Wal Mart sells Royal Oak and always has it from what I've seen. $6 for a bag...don't remember the weight though.

 

[mushand]

In SW Missouri they are ten lb bags

 

[cricky101]

I use Kingsford Blue for most of my smoking but keep a couple bags of Royal Oak lump on hand for grilling steaks/burgers/etc ...

 

[dsorgnzd]

My preference would be lump (Royal Oak, or their food service brand Nature-Glo, which are most commonly available around here). I recently bought a bunch of Kingsford blue because it was on sale, and was quickly reminded of why it isn't my favorite (mainly the amount of ash created). If I'm using briquettes I would prefer Stubbs over Kingsford.

 

[solaryellow]

NatureGlo exclusively for me.

 

[dsorgnzd]

NatureGlo exclusively for me.

I bought Nature Glo at Chef Smart when it was about $8 for a 20-pound bag, but the  last few times I bought lump I got Royal Oak from Wal Mart at a better price.  Now, I think the Royal Oak has dropped from 10 pounds to 8.8 (no drop in price, of course).  Do you know of a better (cheaper) source for lump in our area?

 

[mdboatbum]

I like lump for high heat grilling of steaks. For everything else my preference is natural hardwood briquettes. Stubbs is great as well as Fresh Market's and Trader Joe's store brands. They produce lower ash and higher heat than Kingsford but are more controllable and longer burning than lump. This is based on my personal experience in my smoker, your mileage may and likely will vary.

 

[solaryellow]

NatureGlo exclusively for me.

I bought Nature Glo at Chef Smart when it was about $8 for a 20-pound bag, but the  last few times I bought lump I got Royal Oak from Wal Mart at a better price.  Now, I think the Royal Oak has dropped from 10 pounds to 8.8 (no drop in price, of course).  Do you know of a better (cheaper) source for lump in our area?

Chefsmart is where I am buying from. It certainly isn't as cheap as it was a few years ago, but it is still my preference.