First try with Lump


 
M

Mike May

TVWBB Member
After lurking here and watching the interaction, I decided to try a smoke with Lump charcoal - I ordered some Ozark Oak from bbqguys.com (and I am NOT affiliated with them) and used it to smoke some loin back ribs - I guess I don't know that the charcoal was the secret, but they were the best ribs I have ever cooked.

In the past, I have used Kingsford Blue and been very happy with the results - but these seemed to not have a slightly bitter taste that I have noticed previously.

I used the same charcoal in my kettle to cook some chicken thighs - this is the second time I tried this - the first time, I used just the charcoal and did not notice any real smoke flavoring - this time I tossed a chunk of peach wood and got the taste that I wanted.
 
I use lump a lot. I sometimes have two bags open one being R/O the other a higher end brand. I try to fill the gaps with smaller pieces usually R/O. Shake the bowl up good so it packs in tight and I think you will be very happy with the results. KB makes no sense to me for LNS considering it's supposed to burn off before you cook on it.
 
Gary S said:
...KB makes no sense to me for LNS considering it's supposed to burn off before you cook on it.
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Gary, I've often wondered the same thing, and I read somewhere where Jim Minion wasn't concerned about his "method" with the wsm because he used a certain kind of charcoal...not Kingsford, but I forget the name. Anyhow, supposedly, once the top layer of Kbb is ashed over your fire will burn clean, but if you wait to put wood on until thin blue Kingsford smoke, it can take a while, to be sure. Even with thin blue smoke though, Kingsford still gives a certain smoke flavor to the meat..but it's perfectly fine with most folks. My other beef is with having to stir the coals and ash issues later in the cook, but I'm convinced that humidity has something to do with why some folks say ash build up is an issue and others say it's not.

Anyway, Ozark Oak is a great lump, and the thing I like about it over Wicked Good is the uniformity in size. Smells fantastic, as well. Expensive stuff, but good and fairly dense, and not near as much trouble packing in as WG and other lumps that have logs in the bags.
 
For the most part our brands up here seem to be different in that most, but not all of our charcoal comes from the Province of Quebec. I don't see any of the brands that you mention or are often mentioned on this site except Kingsford and Royal Oak. It is curious though, there is one brand I buy called Dragon Breath which turns out to be Highland Enterprise or Frontier Natural Hardwood Lump out of New York. It's a premium grade, its large and has some round log like chunks in it. Not sure where Dragons Breath comes from but it has great flavour, I believe it's mostly Oak.
Our Costcos at least in this area sell Natures Own which again is out of Quebec and is Sugar Maple.
I have used KB years ago with my Hibache and then again when I first followed instructions with the Smokenator in my kettle. Considering the way it burns in the beginnning, the ingredients and the odor, I just don't see it for LNS. I'm not looking for a debate or to cause issues, just my opinion. I also like Maple Leaf which again is out of Quebec and they also make an all natural briquette. I've heard it mentioned on this site. Most of the product I see ranges in price from $12.95 to $19.95 for an 18Lb bag. Kingsford Blue is cheaper up here and readily available everywhere but it's just not for me. I have not tried their lump as generally I see it in smaller bags and I always buy the larger bags of R/O or one of the others I mentioned.
BGE chacoal up here is $30.00 a bag. Never tried it.
 
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Update

Mike Cosgrove said:
How much was the Ozark Oak?
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Mike C. - I think the Ozark Oak was $10 a bag (10 lb) and they have a one cost shipping policy of about $7. I ordered 6 bags, so roughly 11 a bag.

I just finished a 18 hour cook in my 22.5 WSM. I started with pretty much a full bag - fills the charcoal ring with the center piled up a few inches higher than the standard ring. I started at 8pm last night, checked it at 4:30 AM - added maybe 4 lb at 7:30. When I pulled the pork butt at 2:00PM, there was still charcoal burning - I closed the bottom vents (I don't use an ATC) - my top vent is pretty much glued open - an hour ago, the built in thermometer was still close to 200 degrees.

I was cooking at 230-250 measured at the vents with an outside overnight temp of about 50.

Mike
 
Mike May said:
Mike C. - I think the Ozark Oak was $10 a bag (10 lb) and they have a one cost shipping policy of about $7. I ordered 6 bags, so roughly 11 a bag.

I just finished a 18 hour cook in my 22.5 WSM. I started with pretty much a full bag - fills the charcoal ring with the center piled up a few inches higher than the standard ring. I started at 8pm last night, checked it at 4:30 AM - added maybe 4 lb at 7:30. When I pulled the pork butt at 2:00PM, there was still charcoal burning - I closed the bottom vents (I don't use an ATC) - my top vent is pretty much glued open - an hour ago, the built in thermometer was still close to 200 degrees.

I was cooking at 230-250 measured at the vents with an outside overnight temp of about 50.

Mike
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Thanks, might have to try it.
 
Ozark Oak is the only brand of lump I have used in my short smoking career.
I bought 2 bags (same vendor as Mike May) to burn in my modified ECB (before ever trying KB).
Love the quality and the flavor, but just ran too hot for that cooker (too much uncontrollable O2 intake).
I did finish the 2 bags and they lasted for a good 6 cooks...one butt took 22+ hours to cook (no foil). http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/136800/first-butt-ever-ecb-marathon-smoke#post_939673
Since then, I have sold the ECB and upgraded to an 18.5 WSM.
I will probably order more of the Ozark Oak to see how it performs in the new smoker...I'm sure my experience will be much better. ;)
 
Not to start a K bash, I use a ton for grilling, but that's the difference between smoking with real charcoal and wood instead of charred softwood (pine and spruce), ground coal and other stuff (limestone, starch, borax, sodium nitrate, sawdust).
 
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