Which fuel do you use and why?

[Rusty James]

Royal Oak lump charcoal for my 14.5" WSM. You have to pack it tight to get a nice consistent burn. If it is too loosely packed then you will have issues. I learned that from some kamado guys. Plus I can cook all night in one as long as I use lump charcoal as the low ash production keeps the charcoal from clogging up especially in winter.

I use a cheap Walmart brand briquette as royal oak actually makes them. I use them for my 22.5" WSM as it's a fuel hog. It cooks nice just consumes a lot of fuel.

The last time I used lump (Frontier), some of it was so small, it fell through the grate. Is Royal Oak lump the same way?

Thanks for the info about the Walmart brand. I'll have to try a bag.

 

[Rusty James]

Royal Oak lump charcoal for my 14.5" WSM. You have to pack it tight to get a nice consistent burn. If it is too loosely packed then you will have issues. I learned that from some kamado guys.

I just purchased a bag of Royal Oak lump. Will I need an extra grate on the bottom to trap small pieces, or does this brand of lump even have that problem?

I have an old piece of expand-a-metal that I could use if I can figure out an efficient way to trim it to size.

 

[Andy Erickson]

I just purchased a bag of Royal Oak lump. Will I need an extra grate on the bottom to trap small pieces, or does this brand of lump even have that problem?

I have an old piece of expand-a-metal that I could use if I can figure out an efficient way to trim it to size.

Hard to say. Each bag and piece is different. I'm sure you will lose some of the smaller pieces, but most of the mid sized to bigger pieces should be OK.

 

[Bob Correll]