Dealing w/ small lump pieces??
- Thread starter DavidD
- Start date
Ted M (FatEddy)
TVWBB Super Fan
I hand pack the smoke ring keeping the small pieces loaded in the middle. Works well for me, but it's a bit a pain.
Dave/G
TVWBB Emerald Member
They are there. The better the lump, the fewer the small pieces. I just dump out of the bag. Whatever comes out comes out. I shake the charcoal ring to settle, but don't go crazy about it. It's a cost of doing business. If I try a different brand and there's lots of small pieces, I just don't buy that brand again. I don't have an issue with RO, at least not yet. Every once in a while, I treat myself to some Wicked Good. I do use two grates as Chuck suggests.
Matt Sanders
TVWBB Pro
Use two grates, as the others suggest, laying perpendicular to each other. It's just part of lump, though some brands are better than others (I use Royal Oak exclusively when it comes to lump). But really, it's just the nature of the beast. I kind of like it, it's more like a "real" fire, and every one is a little different! And having a mix of biggish and smallish is good, because the smallish will get more intensely hot, but the biggish will burn longer.
One thing I've noticed though, the bottom 1/3 of a bag tends to be almost all smallish pieces. I reckon that's the way they settle in the bag.
One thing I've noticed though, the bottom 1/3 of a bag tends to be almost all smallish pieces. I reckon that's the way they settle in the bag.
RichPB (richlife)
TVWBB Wizard
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">charcoal ring to settle, but don't go crazy about it. It's a cost of doing business. If I try a different brand and there's lots of small pieces, I </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
As everyone says, use two perpendicular grates. But if you ever use Kingsford after that, be sure to line those grates up parallel. All the ash REALLY tends to suffocate the fire because the ash won't properly fall through the perpendicular grates.
Rich
As everyone says, use two perpendicular grates. But if you ever use Kingsford after that, be sure to line those grates up parallel. All the ash REALLY tends to suffocate the fire because the ash won't properly fall through the perpendicular grates.
Rich
Bob Sample
TVWBB Diamond Member
2 grates. I have more problems with having to break up large chunks than little pieces.
I'm a double grater as well but even before I had the second I found a nice little system.
First thing was to buy a plastic tote to dump my charcoal into. This allows me to have easier access and sort out my pieces.
Then, when loading your ring, find some medium to large pieces and line the bottom section with pieces that won't fall through. Once you have a good base then I start to fill the middle with all the smaller peices and chips. If you minion your cook than all the smaller pieces will burn prior to the bottom.
First thing was to buy a plastic tote to dump my charcoal into. This allows me to have easier access and sort out my pieces.
Then, when loading your ring, find some medium to large pieces and line the bottom section with pieces that won't fall through. Once you have a good base then I start to fill the middle with all the smaller peices and chips. If you minion your cook than all the smaller pieces will burn prior to the bottom.
Chris Stanek
TVWBB Fan
I've been using Royal Oak for years, but I've noticed that lately there are just a ton of small crumbles in there.
I used to be a natural lump snob, but since getting my kettle, I've really learned to love just the plain old Kingsford. I made a couple butts in the big smoker using Kingsford for the first time... I didn't notice any difference at all with the final result. I had a bit more ash, but I usually have to do a clean out once during the process anyway, so what do I care.
I used to be a natural lump snob, but since getting my kettle, I've really learned to love just the plain old Kingsford. I made a couple butts in the big smoker using Kingsford for the first time... I didn't notice any difference at all with the final result. I had a bit more ash, but I usually have to do a clean out once during the process anyway, so what do I care.