Was at Food City the other day. Food City is a grocery store catered to the Hispanics in our area. The have been selling this Diablo lump and I have been always curious about it. They make these whole spatchcocked chickens on a Santa Maria grill using this very charcoal. Found a small 7lb bag so I can try it. Cost was about $4 and change. It's made in Sonora Mexico out of 100% Mesquite wood. Their website shows how they make it. The bag was super reinforced with fibers and was a challenge to open. Once opened and poured into a chimney I found nice big chunks. I Like that. Started easily with little sparking and spitting. Made some chicken quarters and kept the temp around the 350 range. You can detect some Mesquite flavor in the food. Decent quality, nice big chunks and cheap. You can get a 20lb bag at Sam's Club in my area for $7.78. Not bad. I would get it again and use it for short cooks.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/06/19/IMG_5147.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/06/19/IMG_5148.md.jpg)
Mexican BBQ flavor seems to be based on the use of Mesquite Charcoal. Fajitas, cabra, etc. were all based on the Mesquite fire-pit. Gives a very unique flavor to the food. I use it for chicken and some seafood from time to time.
SJ
Hey thanks for the review, Dave. I wonder if the sell it in the Midwest? I'll have to check.
I've been wondering about this. I always see the big bags at Basha's and Smart & Final. Thanks for the review.
It is definitely cheap and readily available in AZ! I have friend who uses it all of the time and seems very happy with it.
Thanks for the pic - Looks like nice sized chunks. Last week I saw 40 lb bags of El Diablo Mesquite lump at a Costco Business Center in So Cal for $12.99!