best lump charcoal
- Thread starter Vince Ser
- Start date
In your area Humphrey's Lump and briqs should be fairly easy to locate. Haven't tried but heard MANY good things about it! Wicked Good and Ozark Oak are SUPER CHARCOALS! Order a pallet once a year is what I do, usually around .60-.75 cents per pound delivered.
Also check out this site for very good reviews on lump: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm
Also check out this site for very good reviews on lump: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lump.htm
Gary H. NJ
TVWBB Platinum Member
I had to laugh. I've had the same experience. Make sure the Royal Oak is USA made. Some of it is made out of the country and the quality varies greatly. The bags look the same, but it should say Made in USA somewhere on the bag.
Eric Michaud
TVWBB Super Fan
I had to laugh. I've had the same experience. Make sure the Royal Oak is USA made. Some of it is made out of the country and the quality varies greatly. The bags look the same, but it should say Made in USA somewhere on the bag. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Great call Gary, I bought a bag not knowing it was from South America I believe, arced and sparked like crazy, hated it. Not sure If Nature's Own Basques is avaiable in your area but that's all I use high heat or Low n slow.
I had a good run with Maple leaf but it's not sold in the States anymore, been bringing back when I travel to Quebec but finally used up my stock. Time for another visit.
Tim Harcoff
New member
Yes. My recent bags of Royal Oak lump have had tiny pieces, which is REALLY annoying.
Publix' "Greenwise" brand has been the most consistent for me. I use Royal Oak, and it's decent - no serious issues. The two things I dislike most are (like others have said) the inconsistent sized pieces and (for me) the smoke and fumes it emits until the coal turns red hot. Greenwise seems to burn much cleaner.
I actually like True Cue as well - though it's rather expensive, and takes longer to get started. But once it gets going, it seems to work fantastically. Longer lasting too.
I actually like True Cue as well - though it's rather expensive, and takes longer to get started. But once it gets going, it seems to work fantastically. Longer lasting too.
Another vote for Royal Oak. Been using it for ~ a year now. Reasonably priced at Wallmart. I use it for grilling and BBQ in WSM, just takes time to get used to how fast it heats up so you can adjust vents correctly. I've bought/used Lazzri, works fine and is cheap (40 lb bag for $15), but you get alot of fines/dust in each bag.
Heads up to those looking for the USA Frontier Lump. I saw it at BJ's Warehouse club last week. Made in Texas so I'm guessing it's some kick *** mesquite lump similar to Lazzari mesquite lump. Might even be made by them? Any way a 34lb. bag will only set you back $19.99 Cheaper than I can get my beloved Humphrey's Lump for. I'm going to pick up 5-10 bags and let you know. Might take me a year to post the results but I'll get back to yah!.
And to answer the question best lump.
I've used a lot of different lumps over the years and you old timers know how much I hate Kinsford so the best lump I ever used was Maple Leaf Lump that I used to order and have shipped to me from Canada. Second best and what I still use after 8 years is Humphrey's Lump. Just my opinion though.
What makes good is a great hardwood to start with. Then a mixed bag from big pieces to small so it packs nice and tight. Mesquite wood makes great lump but I never use mesquite lump or smoke wood with anything other than beef. Just my personal preference. HTH
Rolf Jacobsen
R.I.P. 9/28/2024
I’m pretty lucky in that I live about three miles from the BBQ Guru. They carry both Humphreys and Wicked Good so I can pick them up as I need them and don’t need to stock it. I’ve tried both and Wicked Good is the best IMHO. The only down side is some of the lumps can be very large and need to be broken up. I agree with the comments about Royal Oak. The domestic seems better but I’m always left with a lot of very small pieces. Cowboy I have never been fond of. Good Luck!
Rolf
Rolf
Eric Michaud
TVWBB Super Fan
I would rather have that than little tiny pieces. Maple Leaf and Basques were my favorites. I get Maple leaf when I am in Montreal and have friends bring some down, when I run out Basques was what I used because I can get it locally. But lately both of them have chinced out and the bags are FILLED with tiny pieces. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt but 4 in a row of Maple leaf and same for Basques. Tried Wicked good, 2 bags in and I am a fan. Even less ash than Maple leaf. I emailed the company and they told me they are being carried by Ace hardware. Called the one closest to me and and sure enough they had it.
Since this seems to be a regular point of confusion - lump can burn hotter, but in a smoker you are limiting the amount of oxygen available so that doesn't happen. I smoke bacon at 170 with lump with no problems, as an example.
I like wicked good. I also like the Lazzari products, especially their oak charcoal, but I live near the factory.
I like wicked good. I also like the Lazzari products, especially their oak charcoal, but I live near the factory.