AstrosDad Posted June 30, 2009 Report Posted June 30, 2009 I was at the local Trader Joes and noticed that they do not carry the Cowboy Lump charcoal, but instead, they carry Hardwood Lump Charcoal briquettes. It contained no chemicals, just char and inert binder. Has anyone used these on a KK? Is it safe? Quote
Firemonkey Posted June 30, 2009 Report Posted June 30, 2009 Yep, its fine. Even kingsford is fine if you want to burn them, just stay away from the lighter fluids. I found a bargain on rancher hardwood briquettes a couple years back - wish i could find them again. Quote
Conodo12 Posted July 1, 2009 Report Posted July 1, 2009 Rancher is a big name on the competition circuit. The guys with the gravity feeders love 'em as they are uniform in size and don't bridge in the hoppers. I tried some Stubbs charcoal the other week. They were a bit tough to light but did burn hot (if you wanted the heat). Cheap enough at six dollars and change for an 18 pound bag. Lots of ash. I'd use it again in a pinch but definitely prefer good old lump charcoal... Hey Whiz - I couldn't find Stubbs Charcoal on your site - ever test or use it? Quote
DennisLinkletter Posted July 1, 2009 Report Posted July 1, 2009 Hardwood Briquettes Briquettes have a bad name because of their "extra" ingredients. These include a binding agent (a starch), an ash-whitening agent (usually lime) to let users know when the briquettes are ready to go and accelerants (usually nitrate). Manufacturers can design them to burn at target temps with unlimited airflow. This is great for open grilling at the beach. Today many manufacturers make very pure hardwood briquettes without these "extra" ingredients that are very good. As they can control the carbonization much better than with lump charcoal the finished product is more consistent. Our very own Komodo evangelist Chris Lilly uses only Kingsford Hardwood briquettes and takes home the prizes.. So yes, in the past briquette was a 4 letter word but some have evolved to be more than respectable.. Quote
LarryR Posted July 1, 2009 Report Posted July 1, 2009 I'm 99% sure the stuff you're seeing at Trader Joe's is made by Rancher. If you look at the back of the packaging he claims it's word for word the text on the Rancher bag. I use it on all my high heat cooks in my ceramic and it works well. ECC for all my low and slow cooks. Quote
Majestik Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 Re: Hardwood Charcoal Briquettes? I was at the local Trader Joes and noticed that they do not carry the Cowboy Lump charcoal, but instead, they carry Hardwood Lump Charcoal briquettes. It contained no chemicals, just char and inert binder. Has anyone used these on a KK? Is it safe? I'm currently working my way through a bag of the Trader Joe's Hardwood briquettes. So far, no complaints. Low ash, high heat, pleasant smoke flavor, no chemical or other off-odors. Good stuff so far. I asked NakedWhiz to review it, but so far he has dodged my request. This is in a steel barrel grill, though. My kamado's still in storage. Quote
Firemonkey Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 He did review the rancher hardwood briquettes...he didnt like them as much as i did I agree with Majestik, and liked it much better than kingsford. Quote
AstrosDad Posted July 2, 2009 Author Report Posted July 2, 2009 Since this post, I tried a bag. It's not bad... I think I will try it for my 4th of July cookout. I did find that I don't stink as much of smoke as I do with regular lump. Weird... Quote
jdbower Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 I did find that I don't stink as much of smoke as I do with regular lump. Then I guess I'll stick with lump - smelling of smoke makes the fun last longer! Quote
Firemonkey Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 ugh - I hate that. If I spend too much time over the grill, I will often go take a quick shower while the meat rests, or immediately after dinner to get the smoke off of me. Quote
Conodo12 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 Please guys - that's what pools are for!! Quote
smokykensbbq Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 To each his own... I love the smoke smell too!!! One of the reasons I like the smoker so much is because I can smoke my meats low and slow and have that heavenly smell wayfaring in the air! Quote
Curly Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 I did find that I don't stink as much of smoke as I do with regular lump. Then I guess I'll stick with lump - smelling of smoke makes the fun last longer! Yeah, the bbq smell lingering is a great extra benefit. Quote
Firemonkey Posted July 2, 2009 Report Posted July 2, 2009 BBQ smoke lingering in the air is heavenly, but when its on ME, thats where I draw the line And a pool wont get it off either, it takes soap to get rid of it! Quote
Conodo12 Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Turn up your chlorine level FM and you will be fine!!! Helps to drop yo ass naked in that pool too! Quote
jdbower Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Helps to drop yo ass naked in that pool too! Thanks for helping so many stick to their diets! FM has more of a smoke issue than most because of all that body hair - he should really shave more often Quote
Curly Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 BBQ smoke lingering in the air is heavenly' date=' but when its on ME, thats where I draw the line And a pool wont get it off either, it takes soap to get rid of it![/quote'] It's a definate chick magnet here in SC So is a lot of body hair, but if you have both, you can purdy much pick an choose. Quote
