I am new to the forum and to my Weber 22 but I am NOT new to lump charcoal. The following are some things that I believe to be true based on my time burning lump.
1. Fact: Lump burns significantly hotter than briquette charcoal. With a forced air blower you can create a blast furnace that will melt iron.
2. Opinion: Lump fires can be controlled more easily than briquette fires. Explanation, put lump into a basket, take a propane torch and light about 2" circle on the biggest chunk. It will now burn through the entire bucket at a rate that can be controlled by airflow. Do not use a chimney and then expect to easily control the lump temperature. It can be done, but, it is tough. Control how much lump is on fire at one time. This is fairly easy unless the grill leaks air badly.
3. Fact: Lump extinguishes and relights as often as you need it to. It does not disinigrate in humdity.
Why Briquetts are easier:
1. They are predictable. Their burn rate and temperatures are known.
2. Once lit, they can be more easily depressed by vent controls.
3. Standard size so briquette counts can be duplicated to produce similar or close to similar fires and burn times.
I am new, and am learning my new Weber 22" performer using Lump. I am using a Slow and Sear II with the water reservoir removed. So far, I have had "runaways" both times, but, only because I used the Chimney. I will use a small amount of lit lump to a basket of lump on my next cook.
Another issue as always is the overall calories of heat produced. Big meat will need more fire to hold the same temperature. I will have to check to see if an end to end burn in the Slow and Sear will give me enough fire to handle a couple of 8 lb pork butts. I may need to start the fire in the middle to allow two concurrent burn points doubling the potential caloric outputs.
Sorry about the rambling, but, never ask an old guy a question. I do like lump more than briquettes, but, briquettes are easier to store, cheaper to buy, more predictable in their output and burn times, etc. I still like lump
Thanks to all who make this forum great.
v/r rch