I'm a newbie. I read all the posts in this thread with keen interest. I grew up with Kingsford, as it's the only charcoal I remember from growing up and the family picnics and such. I'm getting back into charcoal cooking, and I naturally went for Kingsford Blue. Still, I'm intrigued by all you experienced chefs and your comments on the different types of fuel. I know that I have to learn how to walk before I start running, but I want to be ready to run not so much fast as steadily.
Anyway, I'm thinking of how I got involved in shotshell reloading. I got my press, my components, my reloading table, and I was on my way. Then I started experimenting with different powders, different shot weights, and so on. I bought several dies, shot bars, different wads. Guess what? I reverted back to what I started with, and all that other stuff that I bought is collecting dust. A fellow weekend warrior told me "Stick with what works."
I'm thinking the same thing with charcoal. Each type of fuel has its pluses and minuses. Each of you has a fondness for a particular fuel type. Is one better than the other? I don't know. Still, I'd like to experiment with different charcoals just to see if I find any difference. I'm just afraid that I'll wind up with a shed full of unused bags of charcoal and the novelty will wear off.
As a beginner I'm using KB. I don't want to fall into the trap of doing something wrong, and then adjusting my method to the wrong way, instead of learning the right way, and adjusting my method to the right way. So, getting back to the charcoal/fuel discussion, is one fuel really better, or is it just a preference? I'm thinking that there are way too many different opinions, and that tells me that I have to make my own choice. I can't follow the herd because the herd is all over the place.
My last comment was meant as a compliment. Imitation is the highest form of praise. I want to learn what I can. You guys/gals are part of the teaching staff.