Natural Charcoal

My new Weber Performer is arriving tomorrow, and I need charcoal. Where's the best place to get the natural stuff?

We sell a 9lb mix of oak, maple, and hickory for around $8.50 where I work. If you want, I could pick you up a bag, meet you for a beer, and make the drop. I have no idea how we compare to other places on price

We've been using the Big Green Egg natural charcoal at Brownsboro Hardware. It was recommended to us by the owner and apparently is used by a lot of competition grillers. We also have a Weber Performer and have been very happy with the ease of use. The large bag is around $28-$30.

Where do you work, Justin? My hubby recently got a Weber smoker, and has been looking for real charcoal.

Corken Steel
13th & Market


We sell it to artist and roofing contractors that use it to heat of irons for copper work. They will only use natural hardwood charcoal, "it burns better".

I'm here from 7:00 - 3:30 most days. That price was with a LHB discount, so make sure you talk to me if you come in. I could also pick some up and have it at my house in Lyndon, if that is more convenient for anyone.

We've been using the Big Green Egg natural charcoal at Brownsboro Hardware. It was recommended to us by the owner and apparently is used by a lot of competition grillers. We also have a Weber Performer and have been very happy with the ease of use. The large bag is around $28-$30.

Madeline,

I've been meaning to try the Big Green Egg Charcoal...although I personally can't ever recall seeing it used at any of the competitions I've judged and/or cooked. Seems a little spendy to use for competition use (where I typically go through 3, maybe 4 bags).

Just a word about charcoal, most people (by now) know to never-ever start the coals with that fricking lighter fluid crap but you also have to be careful about the source of the charcoal you use. I've heard several competition types refer to it as "Mexican Charcoal"...and their claim is that petroleum products are used significantly in the manufacturing process. I dunno whether that is the case or not but I can tell you I've judge some BBQ that came some from very well respected teams (who would never use lighter fluid) that had a distinct "diesel fuel" aroma to the meat. So I guess the best advice is to stay away from the "off" brands unless you know where it comes from. Me ? I'm open to trying different things but generally cook with Kingsford.

We sell a 9lb mix of oak, maple, and hickory for around $8.50 where I work. If you want, I could pick you up a bag, meet you for a beer, and make the drop. I have no idea how we compare to other places on price

Justin,

Is this lump charcoal we're talking about ? Any idea of the source ?...I may be interested in giving it a try.

We sell a 9lb mix of oak, maple, and hickory for around $8.50 where I work. If you want, I could pick you up a bag, meet you for a beer, and make the drop. I have no idea how we compare to other places on price

Justin,

Is this lump charcoal we're talking about ? Any idea of the source ?...I may be interested in giving it a try.

http://royal-oak.com/index.php?id=41

Royal Oak Charcoal has been bringing people together for good food and fun for over 75 years. Based in Roswell, Georgia, we became a family-owned company in 1959. We’re a leader in grilling and an innovator in instant lighting charcoal, mesquite charcoal, and 100% hardwood charcoal briquets.

Made in the U.S.A.

I'm smelling another Selenas drinking session.

GFS Marketplace has hardwood lump charcoal fairly cheap.
I prefer that with real wood chunks(Oak Bourbon Barrel Heads) when I'm "smokin".
Have fun! Smoking meats is not an exact science because there are WAY too many variables. So don't be afraid to experiment!

[quote="Dan Thomas" Smoking meats is not an exact science because there are WAY too many variables.[/quote]

Yes and I keep running into all of them, usually at the wrong time You still down on the J-ville contest ? I've been spending weekends "rehearsing" (i.e. "fine tuning") some recipes. This last batch of chicken was rock star-ish.

GFS Marketplace has hardwood lump charcoal

That's what I use and love it. Fires well in the chimney starter and then settles down to a long coal time. Has no petrol flavor to it at all. I start to sound like a broken record when I say this but Butchers Best carries it in Prospect. I seem to do an awful lot of business with them. Best thing is they have skirt steak cut to order again for the grilling season. Marinate that in chimichurri overnight.........

You still down on the J-ville contest ? I've been spending weekends "rehearsing" (i.e. "fine tuning") some recipes. This last batch of chicken was rock star-ish.

Hell yeah! I'm really looking forward to it.
Can you PM me a list of event dates so I can start planning ahead? My summer is starting to look a little busy already.

LHB barbecue, if it's been thought of before, is long overdue. Let's make it happen this summer!

I found that Valu-Market carries "Best Choice" lump charcoal (http://shop.mywebgrocer.com/shop.aspx?& ... 42795&ns=1), which is manufactured by Royal Oak (http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag34.htm).

The new Weber Performer arrived yesterday, and is a great grill. If you're unfamilar, it's a typical 22.5" Weber that sits in a cart with a prep table and charcoal storage attached, and it lit by propane. Let the propane go for about 5 minutes, and bam, your charcoal is rockin. http://www.weber.com/grills/?glid=4&mid=25

The Best Choice did a great job cooking some brined, 1.5" thick pork chops. Nice char, great smokey flavor.

Tried the Kingsford "Competition" Briquettes this weekend...about two bags worth They are a bit more expensive than the regular Kingsford but are supposed to burn hotter (similar to lump charcoal).

Comparing it to thew same amount of regular Kingsford it does in fact burn about 15-20 degrees hotter (I've got a $100 thermometer on my smoker, so needless to say it's pretty accurate).