Random thoughts on charcoal

[kettlebb]

Along with the free redhead score came a bag of KBB. First time I ever used the stuff my backyard was full of smoke. Terrible stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cbpeck]

I don't care for the smell of KBB either, but I suspect there's some nostalgia tied to it for a lot of people that associate the distinctive KBB smell with a backyard bbq. Our sense of smell is the human sense most closely tied to memory, afterall.

[Foster Dahlet]

I don't care for the smell of KBB either, but I suspect there's some nostalgia tied to it for a lot of people that associate the distinctive KBB smell with a backyard bbq. Our sense of smell is the human sense most closely tied to memory, afterall.

I think that is probably true...people like it because they are familiar with it and think that is how it charcoal is supposed to smell.  Truthfully, it doesn't bother me much because it is familiar and I simply know what to expect when I light it.  But when I use other charcoal, I don't pine for the scent of KBB either.

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[kettlebb]

Our sense of smell is the human sense most closely tied to memory, afterall.

Truth. There is some tree or shrub I smell in my area in the summer and when the fragrance hits my nose I'm instantly on my grandpas lap after he'd get home from work waiting for my parents to come pick us up. If I find out what it is I'll try to get a few in my yard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike in Roseville]

Ive been experimenting with different charcoals lately after being primarily being a kbb user.  What I have come to realize is that I haven't met a briquette that I didn't like. All have their pros and cons.

Kbb:  great sustained high heat.  Produces more ash.

Royal oak:  great all around. Imparts the best flavor imo.

Stubbs and weber. Very similar. Great for low and slow but slow to start comparatively.

Kingsford comp:  great all around but seems to not last as long comparatively.

Royal oak lump:  my favorite lump that I have tried so far. Usually lots of shake but it burns nice and I don't usually find contaminants.  Starts fast and low ash as I assume most lump does.

Right now I'm liking the royal oak and the kingsford comp the best out of what I tried but I haven't done anything over a 4 hour cook with either so need to try that.

Just some random thoughts based upon nothing scientific. Mileage may vary.  At the end of the day, it makes very little difference to me which one I'm using for cooks 4-5 hours or less.

What's your go to coal?


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

I would say your impression is fairly similar to mine. Here are my thoughts:


KBB:  Good level of heat. Produces more ash than others. I have noticed its changed over the years...probably won't buy much more and will stock up on others when on sale. Some love this...I guess the romance is over for me.

Royal Oak:  Good...not the hottest briquette, but not bad. It smells pretty nice once it gets going. I keep it around for quick fuel.

Stubbs: My go to favorite in a WSM. I love grilling with it too. Burns hot and long. When it goes on sale...I stock up. Excellent.

Weber: Very similar to Stubbs. Lots of white smoke upon startup. Burns hot and long. I will stock up when they go on clearance next year. This is the most "lump-like" briquette to me in terms of performance.

Kingsford Professional:  Excellent for high heat applications (searing), but burns out quickly for my taste. I have half a bag left and probably won't buy more.

Kingsford w. Wood Briquettes: The Applewood is fantastic. Burn/flavor/aroma is excellent for a briquette.  Yeah I could add the chips/chunks to KBB and probably get a similar flavor, but its nice its all there in one. I have yet to try Hickory and Mesquite. I like them best in low/slow applications (fuse burn in a kettle or minion method in a WSM) or in a Smokey Joe.

Not too much experience with lump, so I'll reserve my judgement there.

[HoosierKettle]

Hey mike, I haven't used the kingsford with wood added yet.  Thanks for the input. It's usually not on sale. I'll have to give that a try.  I was always skeptical for no particular reason.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[kettlebb]

Try it out @HoosierKettle it's not bad if you are out of smoke wood. I think a little goes a long way with it too but we prefer a more mild smoke on our food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[captjoe06]

Whatever is on super sale at anything under 26 cents a pound gets purchased if I have less than 10 bags in stock. 
KBB, Stubbs, Royal Oak, No-name brand.

Only thing that will not hit the bowl is anything with the lighter fluid in it already.

[Campwhatnot]

I don't care for the smell of KBB either, but I suspect there's some nostalgia tied to it for a lot of people that associate the distinctive KBB smell with a backyard bbq. Our sense of smell is the human sense most closely tied to memory, afterall.

Hopefully guys don't use lighter fluid for nostalgia reasons... Lol

Sent from my SM-N920W8 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[BillA from CA]

I usually use Kingsford but ran out shortly before the Labor Day sales and was not about to pay full price for it.  I found a reasonably cheap bag of Embers "Thrill of the Grill" briquettes at Home Depot to get me through the week before the sales started.  Since then I have used it in several grilling sessions.  They work fine for short term grilling, but would not attempt to use them for long term smoking.  They appear to be smaller than Kingsford and have more surface area as a result of an unusual surface contour so they light in a reasonable amount of time in a chimney but they don't last as long as Kingsford. I have not noticed any significant effect on flavor. 

My issue with lump charcoal is the irregular sizes that result in very inconsistent distance from coal surface to grill surface.  For indirect grilling it is no big deal, but for direct heating when the distance from grill surface to fire grate is not large, the big variation in lump size makes it a lot harder to get consistent heat over a large surface.

[Foster Dahlet]

I usually use Kingsford but ran out shortly before the Labor Day sales and was not about to pay full price for it.  I found a reasonably cheap bag of Embers "Thrill of the Grill" briquettes at Home Depot to get me through the week before the sales started.  Since then I have used it in several grilling sessions.  They work fine for short term grilling, but would not attempt to use them for long term smoking.  They appear to be smaller than Kingsford and have more surface area as a result of an unusual surface contour so they light in a reasonable amount of time in a chimney but they don't last as long as Kingsford. I have not noticed any significant effect on flavor. 

My issue with lump charcoal is the irregular sizes that result in very inconsistent distance from coal surface to grill surface.  For indirect grilling it is no big deal, but for direct heating when the distance from grill surface to fire grate is not large, the big variation in lump size makes it a lot harder to get consistent heat over a large surface.

Embers is Royal Oak, rebranded for HD.

Sent from my LG-TP260 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[Mike in Roseville]

Hey mike, I haven't used the kingsford with wood added yet.  Thanks for the input. It's usually not on sale. I'll have to give that a try.  I was always skeptical for no particular reason.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

I'm with Kettlebb...

It's great if you're out of smoking wood or if you're in a circumstance where it doesn't permit (like a backwoods backpacking scenario, quick tailgates, etc.).

My in laws found it on clearance at target and picked me up one bag each of the hickory, mesquite, and apple.

I'll be trying them out soon and see how the hickory and mesquite compare to the apple.


Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[MDurso]

Interesting on the Kingsford with the wood inside.  Something tells me I wouldn't like that.  I like to control (or judge) the amount of wood I put in.  Sometimes I thoroughly soak the wood in water before smoking, sometimes I mix and match a few.

I would guess it's "good for part time grillers", maybe not necessarily the levels of enthusiasm, pursuit, and expertise of the members here.

But who knows?  it may be the right amount!  I am often wrong.  It may also be good for that secondary grill you have going for sides while you go all intense and "accurate" on the kettle or WSM with the main dish.

Or hey.. It's Tuesday evening, just want to grill a couple sausage and not deal with all the chips and chunks, but it adds a bit of flavor.....

Ok!  I convinced myself!

[MDurso]

Oh and I myself -KBB with Royal as a backup.  "whatever's on sale."

I agree with @Mike in Roseville that the formulation has changed a bit over the years.  While it's never been bad, I think they changed it to keep up with marketing, not the practical level necessarily.

[1buckie]

Interesting on the Kingsford with the wood inside.  Something tells me I wouldn't like that.  I like to control (or judge) the amount of wood I put in.  Sometimes I thoroughly soak the wood in water before smoking, sometimes I mix and match a few.

I would guess it's "good for part time grillers", maybe not necessarily the levels of enthusiasm, pursuit, and expertise of the members here.

But who knows?  it may be the right amount!  I am often wrong.  It may also be good for that secondary grill you have going for sides while you go all intense and "accurate" on the kettle or WSM with the main dish.

Or hey.. It's Tuesday evening, just want to grill a couple sausage and not deal with all the chips and chunks, but it adds a bit of flavor.....

Ok!  I convinced myself!

@MDurso

Test it out if you find some on sale thereabouts.........

I located some Kingsford w/ cherry built in @ WallyWorld for a reasonable "sale" price & really like it.....the wood is not overpowering.....just enough to mask the famous "Kingsford Stink" !!!

If anyone's hesitant about lump being "inconsistent" or "too many small pieces" or "variable heat output" etc.......find yourself a bag of Wicked Good "Weekend Warrior"  (Ace Hardwares, specialty BBQ shops, ACE will order in for store pickup)
The stuff's seemingly light weight......because it's the most cleanly, completely carbonized charcoal I've ever seen.....shit will burn clean, hot & even.....for days.....it really is "Wicked Good"....pricey, but what you get out of it equals more than the output of many other brands.....

I like the Weber briqs......reminds me of the Wicked Good briquettes, which are now impossible to find (might not be made any longer)
They burn dang hot.....singed my knuckles a few times already & only gone thru a couple bags !!!!