What's your charcoal of choice?

[jbraas]

Or any to stay away from?

I was just curious what thsoe with more experience than me (not hard to get to as I am still pretty new) think about their selection of charcoal.

I so far used Cowboy. It was easy to find at Lowes. During my last smoke (#2 overall) I noticed that there were several pieces small enough to fall though the bottom of my chimney starter. Is this typical of all lump charcoal? Are there better brands? What think y'all?

 

[sumosmoke]

This is a good question and I've started a thread that has the "SMF Lump Hardwood reviews" for us charcoal users

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=17349

 

[jbraas]

Thanks for the info and link. Now I wish I didn't have that bag of cowboy sitting out there...

Definately looks like Royal Oak is the way to go from what I have read so far. Maybe I will get some and just let the cowboy sit for emergency only....

 

[vince]

I like Royal oak, stay away from kingford I think they are over priced

 

[teeotee]

For the price Royal Oak is a good choice. You may as well use the cowboy, It'll work but in my experience (two bags on different occassions) it burns pretty quick.
I did try out a bag of Kingsford charwood, thier brand of lump. Was as good as Royal oak but about $1.50 more a bag.

 

[walking dude]

if you have a menards close by........18 lb bags of lump on sale.....

 

[seaham358]

I don't have much choice where I am... Both HS and Lowes sells Cowboy and I use it and it works well for me. I also use Kingsford Briqs mixed with the Cowboy. Used RO briqs for the first time last week and I was not impressed with them, they did not burn hot at all and took forever to get going. JMO

 

[teeotee]

Seaham, like your idea of blending the cowboy with some briqs.

I've tried R O briqs, they weren't too good, but the lump is worth the price.

 

[jbraas]

No Menards near me. Although my sister is in the Des Moines area, maybe I'll ask her to pick some up and drop it off.

(I'm in Tennessee)

Assuming that it didn't float away.....