Converting from briquets to lump charcoal questions
- Thread starter Bob LeFever
- Start date
timothy
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
I haven't tried the Publix brand, but I do notice occasionally a few pcs of uncarbonized (brown) lump in bags of RO lump. I toss those in the fire pit, as they leave a funky smell while burning.
If you do choose to go lump, than getting a second charcoal grate is recommended.
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/charcoalgrate.html
If you wire both grates to the charcoal ring, it makes packing and sifting quite easy just by lifting the ring and giving it a few shakes.
Edit..
The GA on your Performer will work just fine for lighting a small amount of brigs or lump in a chimney for a MM.
I have a propane torch ( the kind for sweating copper pipes ) and that's how I fire up the chimney on my OTG.
Tim
If you do choose to go lump, than getting a second charcoal grate is recommended.
http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/charcoalgrate.html
If you wire both grates to the charcoal ring, it makes packing and sifting quite easy just by lifting the ring and giving it a few shakes.
Edit..
The GA on your Performer will work just fine for lighting a small amount of brigs or lump in a chimney for a MM.
I have a propane torch ( the kind for sweating copper pipes ) and that's how I fire up the chimney on my OTG.
Tim
Larry D.
TVWBB Emerald Member
I'm not an expert, but when using lump with the stoker, I pour the ring nearly full, then use my hands to push it (as much as possible) to one side, leaving an empty space next to the vent where the stoker fan is installed. This packs the lump together tightly enough (no need for careful stacking like a game of Tetris), plus gives me a space to pour the lit coals. With the lit coals closest to the incoming air from the fan, the WSM gets up to temperature with little delay, and the fire progresses through the unlit very consistently. I rarely see any real temperature spikes. (I also put the meat on as soon as I add the lit coals. I can't see any reason to wait until the temperature hits 250, then open up the WSM and knock it back down while loading the meat.)
RichPB (richlife)
TVWBB Wizard
Bob, I'm sure you've heard that old maxim "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I think it was the idea that you somehow had a "need" to use lump (which you've since recanted) that sort of started some off with brusk responses. Trying something new is fine, but why on earth try something new when you've hardly even used the WSM and really have no true basis for comparison.
Having said that, I spent most of my first year with the WSM trying different things from various briquettes, to various lumps, to various mods. But I was mostly pushed that way because of "problems" or "issues" (like too much ash with Kingsford or struggles to manage temps). I think you would be better off sticking with whatever works for a while to discover for yourself what you like or dislike about it -- then change or mod.
And with that, I'll add my own charcoal preferences -- strongly motivated by "cheap". I always keep Lowe's sale Kingsford around just in case I run out of what I really like. What I really like is Stubb's briquets (stocked up from another Lowe's sale) and Rancher from Trader Joe's -- but both are more expensive than cheap K. I also like Royal Red from Walmart as a good , less expensive lump. All these choices were after using only K for several months, then trying these and other recommended charcoal from posters here. So these choices are based on my use and my need for keeping costs as low as I reasonably can.
Rich
Having said that, I spent most of my first year with the WSM trying different things from various briquettes, to various lumps, to various mods. But I was mostly pushed that way because of "problems" or "issues" (like too much ash with Kingsford or struggles to manage temps). I think you would be better off sticking with whatever works for a while to discover for yourself what you like or dislike about it -- then change or mod.
And with that, I'll add my own charcoal preferences -- strongly motivated by "cheap". I always keep Lowe's sale Kingsford around just in case I run out of what I really like. What I really like is Stubb's briquets (stocked up from another Lowe's sale) and Rancher from Trader Joe's -- but both are more expensive than cheap K. I also like Royal Red from Walmart as a good , less expensive lump. All these choices were after using only K for several months, then trying these and other recommended charcoal from posters here. So these choices are based on my use and my need for keeping costs as low as I reasonably can.
Rich
Dave Russell
TVWBB Honor Circle
Will do.
Mike Freeman
TVWBB Member
Lump only for me, I have never been able to achieve an 18 hour cook on briquets, but can with lump.
Bob LeFever
TVWBB Member
Mike,
Which lump do you prefer? The Publix brand is rated quite high by www.nakedwhiz.com, but I'm new to smoking and haven't used any brand of lump yet. Last smoke I used Stubbs briquets. (Boston Butt)
See you live in CC. NFM here (what used to be Lochmoor Country Club).
Which lump do you prefer? The Publix brand is rated quite high by www.nakedwhiz.com, but I'm new to smoking and haven't used any brand of lump yet. Last smoke I used Stubbs briquets. (Boston Butt)
See you live in CC. NFM here (what used to be Lochmoor Country Club).
Mike Freeman
TVWBB Member
My all time favorite is Real Montana maple, but it cost as much to ship as the charcoal cost.
2nd is Royal Oak, 3rd is Publix Greenwise. Not much difference between these two though, so I get whatever I am closest to at the time.
Those that say there is no difference as far as imparting flavor to the meat have never tried Real Montana, I don't even have to use smoke wood when I use it.
2nd is Royal Oak, 3rd is Publix Greenwise. Not much difference between these two though, so I get whatever I am closest to at the time.
Those that say there is no difference as far as imparting flavor to the meat have never tried Real Montana, I don't even have to use smoke wood when I use it.
Mike Freeman
TVWBB Member
Yes I am in the Cape, we all need to get together and smoke up the skies in the Fort Myers area.
Bob LeFever
TVWBB Member
For those of you near a Publix, just want to make sure you know that they have their GreenWise Wood Charcoal (8.8 lbs) on sale this week. Normally $5.99, now $4.99.
Lew Newby
R.I.P. 1/26/2024
Bob, like you I wanted to try lump to see if it was much different than Kingsford Blue. It's usually worth the effort to try something different. I tried Stubbs briquettes because they were on sale and had read good things about them.
I could only find Cowboy and Publix lump in my area so I bought some Publix lump on sale. Still a lot more expensive than Kingsford on sale. Publix lump is good stuff with a nice size distribution and it burns clean. It's a good choice for making a comparison.
Everyone has their reasons for choosing the fuel they burn and you will make your own decision. I like lump but Kingsford gives me good tasting food at the lowest fuel cost.
Chris has a great section on charcoal on the main site.
I could only find Cowboy and Publix lump in my area so I bought some Publix lump on sale. Still a lot more expensive than Kingsford on sale. Publix lump is good stuff with a nice size distribution and it burns clean. It's a good choice for making a comparison.
Everyone has their reasons for choosing the fuel they burn and you will make your own decision. I like lump but Kingsford gives me good tasting food at the lowest fuel cost.
Chris has a great section on charcoal on the main site.