Best Fuel Source
- Thread starter JRAiona
- Start date
Enrico Brandizzi
TVWBB Honor Circle
I never tryed lump in my 22 WSM. But briquettes work really fine for me. Really steady temp and long long cook using BBQ Guru.
Jerry N.
TVWBB Emerald Member
There is more on this forum than I could write in an entire evening. Do some searching and have fun reading.
I find that there are a few things that help with which fuel to use.
Availability - Most places in the US seem to have some source for both briquettes and lump. Most do not have year round availability. Unless money is no issue, it is most often best find a local source rather than pay for shipping. Local brands vary so find out what you have to work with. Having said that, it does seem like Kingsford is universally available.
Price - If you're near a Home Depot or Lowes and you wait for the sales, I have not seen anything that beats the summer sales on Kingsford. If price is your main concern, stock up at sale time (Memorial and Labor day).
Use - In a nut shell, Kingford is consistent and reliable. Lump and other briquettes may or may not be as consistent. This is where you have to work with what you can get and try out what's available.
Personally, I lean toward lump because I like that it produces less ash. I always have some Kingsford on hand just because. I'd never be concerned about using Kingsford and the reason I came to that conclusion is that from what I understand, it is used at many BBQ competitions. Not to say something else might be better, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
I find that there are a few things that help with which fuel to use.
Availability - Most places in the US seem to have some source for both briquettes and lump. Most do not have year round availability. Unless money is no issue, it is most often best find a local source rather than pay for shipping. Local brands vary so find out what you have to work with. Having said that, it does seem like Kingsford is universally available.
Price - If you're near a Home Depot or Lowes and you wait for the sales, I have not seen anything that beats the summer sales on Kingsford. If price is your main concern, stock up at sale time (Memorial and Labor day).
Use - In a nut shell, Kingford is consistent and reliable. Lump and other briquettes may or may not be as consistent. This is where you have to work with what you can get and try out what's available.
Personally, I lean toward lump because I like that it produces less ash. I always have some Kingsford on hand just because. I'd never be concerned about using Kingsford and the reason I came to that conclusion is that from what I understand, it is used at many BBQ competitions. Not to say something else might be better, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
Dwain Pannell
TVWBB Hall of Fame
I use both depending on what i'm cooking. I used to use nothing but lump but now I like to dry jerky, smoke bacon, snack sticks, sausage, etc.
To keep the temps down I use briquettes leaned against each other create a "C" (some folks call it a snake or fuse). I can slowly increase temp by adding a row or a layer. i like the consistency from bag to bag and no surprises. I am not thrilled with the anthracite coal, borax, and limestone but I guess there are comprises all around.
However, when I am full on smoking a brisket or butt or chicken I prefer lump.
To keep the temps down I use briquettes leaned against each other create a "C" (some folks call it a snake or fuse). I can slowly increase temp by adding a row or a layer. i like the consistency from bag to bag and no surprises. I am not thrilled with the anthracite coal, borax, and limestone but I guess there are comprises all around.
However, when I am full on smoking a brisket or butt or chicken I prefer lump.
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I find uses for both briquettes and lump. Lump does better on shorter and high heat cooks. For longer sessions at lower temps, I like briquettes. These days they are always the "all natural" type like Kingsford Comp, Stubbs, etc. but I wouldn't think twice about using regular Kingsford if that was all I could get.
T MacGreggor
TVWBB Pro
I've had good results using oak lump as minion coals in the WSM with fully lit briquettes to get it going.
NeilH
TVWBB Emerald Member
Same here as well. Seems like I get better results using my ATC as opposed to chasing vents to control when using lump or coal. Wicked Good/Kamado Joe gives me an easy ten hour cook at 250*. I don't plan to smoke anything past that time frame and always yields low ash.