I'm sure this has been discussed in the past but I could not find a lot on the subject. I believe most of us agree KBB produces a bad smelling white smoke when lit. Why and what is that? Does this phenomenon only happen with KBB? Because of this bad smoke I always wait until the charcoal is fully ashed over before starting to a cook or even adding to a cook. It is a hassle having to load and wait for the chimney every time I need to add fuel, it would be much easier to just throw some charcoal on top. I've noticed that some do use KBB with a snake or minion and do not complain about a bad taste in their food. How is this possible? The one time I added unlit KBB to a cook it completely ruined the taste for me. Is there something magical that happens with the snake method that doesn't occur when just adding to a lit pile? Am I doing something wrong or is it all in my head?
The snake method allows the KBB to preheat before starting to burn. There was a thread where this was discussed. Here is the KBB ingredient list I saved from the thread:(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160826/6afc67b9889db723b2170e932d3d1e86.jpg)
My screenshot is dated 4-28-16. Sorry, don't have time to search for thread atm (dang work).
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To varying degrees you'll get the white smoke on start up with any briquettes. Lump starts a lot cleaner, so I use that for my unlit minion or snake coals. Get some lump and you can just throw it on top of already lit coals, like you mentioned.
All people who get hyper worried about Kingsford Blue Bag need to realize who Harry Soo is.
http://www.slapyodaddybbq.com/
He has won many bbq comps and uses Kingsford BB exclusively. He also used WSM's exclusively but that is off topic.
My KBB does not emit a white smoke when lit. It's blue when first lit and the smell clears my sinus.
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Maybe you just don't like that smell, it doesn't bother me....I do love Zeppelin though, listening to How the West was Won..right now!
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Quote from: brewtownbeatdown on August 26, 2016, 11:31:32 AM
The snake method allows the KBB to preheat before starting to burn. There was a thread where this was discussed. Here is the KBB ingredient list I saved from the thread:(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160826/6afc67b9889db723b2170e932d3d1e86.jpg)
My screenshot is dated 4-28-16. Sorry, don't have time to search for thread atm (dang work).
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the ingredient list.
Quote from: zavod44 on August 26, 2016, 01:05:33 PM
Maybe you just don't like that smell, it doesn't bother me....I do love Zeppelin though, listening to How the West was Won..right now!
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Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true. lol
Was enjoying that and Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp....the whole thing is great. I'm eagerly awaiting the complete BBC sessions too.....I can't fucking wait
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I think the lack of smoke in a snake/minion is because of preheating.
I don't think the smoke is nasty and it isn't white from Stubb's. Smells good when lighting. I hate how lump crackles and pops. Also hate when some not fully carbonized pieces light.
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if you heat kingsford in an oven, it will emit that white smoke
it smells terrible and tastes even worse.
Not everyone can taste it though, it seems.
KBB is fine, as long as you treat it right.
My rules:
- never add fresh unlit KBB to a cooker that has food in it
- never add food to a KBB fueld pit until the white smoke is gone (usually takes about 40 minutes with minion method)
My rules are better; #1 Never use Kingsford.
What's the verdict on Stubbs? I am finishing off my last couple of bags of KBB I bought bulk the last sale and see Stubbs is on sale this weekend at Lowes.
As I've said on other threads. I think it will change your life. But as much as you can now. If you don't like it you can ship it to me.
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I used to not notice the offensive kbb smell on initial heating but started noticing it within the last year or so. I'm not sure if my nose smell receptors are changing, if I'm just becoming a more seasoned cook, or something has changed with the charcoal. Imo the only redeeming factors for kbb is that it's cheap (especially on sale) and performers consistently. I've never started kbb and said "that smells pretty good" as it's burning, and it produces a lot of heavy ash. Other charcoal on the other hand burns with a much better aroma.
Short version
STUBBS is good chit. Stock up when you can 8)
I don't hate KBB, as matter of fact, I use it a lot. It works just fine if I wait for the "bad smoke" to burn off. I now see it doesn't bother some people but for me the taste it leaves is unbearable.
Quote from: G19 on August 27, 2016, 04:24:21 AM
What's the verdict on Stubbs? I am finishing off my last couple of bags of KBB I bought bulk the last sale and see Stubbs is on sale this weekend at Lowes.
As a general rule, I have found that anything with the Stubbs label is of very high quality.
His briquettes included.
Have some burning as I type....
Everyone loves that KBB bbq smell!!!! Thats when you know its summer and mouths are about to water.
Quote from: JDD on August 26, 2016, 11:19:26 AM
I'm sure this has been discussed in the past but I could not find a lot on the subject. I believe most of us agree KBB produces a bad smelling white smoke when lit. Why and what is that? Does this phenomenon only happen with KBB? Because of this bad smoke I always wait until the charcoal is fully ashed over before starting to a cook or even adding to a cook. It is a hassle having to load and wait for the chimney every time I need to add fuel, it would be much easier to just throw some charcoal on top. I've noticed that some do use KBB with a snake or minion and do not complain about a bad taste in their food. How is this possible? The one time I added unlit KBB to a cook it completely ruined the taste for me. Is there something magical that happens with the snake method that doesn't occur when just adding to a lit pile? Am I doing something wrong or is it all in my head?
@JDD Something you can try out....
Load in some UN-lit (like one deep, in a crescent shape) then add in your fully lit chimney of coals.....a lot shorter wait for any burn off & sort of, the benefit of the pre-heat that comes from the chain / snake way of doing things..........
Thanks for all the input guys. Like I mentioned previously, I use KBB a lot and I'm not dissing it or criticizing anybody for using it. As a matter of fact, I will be using it tonight.
It seems some do not even notice the "bad smoke" or even believe it exists while others notice it and say it does not affect the taste of their food. Some notice it but do not mind it. I'm guessing this is because everybody's taste buds are different, which would explain. Personally I can definitely taste a distinct flavor given to the food from adding unlit KBB to a cook. I have been to cook outs where someone started to cook long before the KBB was fully ashed over and could taste it.
Now I'm curious about how many of us do not even notice an odor and of the ones that do how many can taste it in the food when NOT allowing it burn off?