Why Lump?


 
T

Tim (the grillaholic)

TVWBB Super Fan
Have done several smokes on my WSM, and have used K Blue exclusivley. Having read a lot of posts about lump, I am beginning to want to try it myself. I am just wondering a few things..
1) Does it burn longer than briquets? What is the advantage to using it?
2)What is the cost difference between lump and K?
3)Where can I find it?
I would just like to know what I'm getting, and how to utilize it before I go out and buy a bag.
Thanks, Tim
icon_confused.gif
 
It all comes down to personal preference really. I prefer lump. It will burn hotter and faster than briquettes with unlimited oxygen (so be careful when grilling!) However, on the WSM with vents partially closed, it'll burn about the same length of time as briquettes with less ash; less smell (has a clean burnt-wood smell, unlike K). This odor doesn't seem to transfer to the meat when using K, btw. I do find that I need to monitor the heat of the smoke a little more closely. As mentioned, a little oxygen can get things going hot hot hot. But, as the WSM is so stable, it's mostly a matter of set it and forget it, even with lump.
Different brands of lump give different results. I don't care for Cowboy (a lot of tiny, dusty bits and big, odd stuff. It also sparks a lot for some reason). I do like Royal Oak, and it seems to be readily available (Walmart, etc.). Make sure it's Made in the USA. It'll say so on the bag. RO has some of its stuff made in South America; the quality isn't as good, IMO.
Give it a try and see how you like it. Let us know. Good luck!
 
Hey Tim. I am not the best guy to talk to because I haven't really used briquettes enough to give you a fair comparison. That being said, I started using lump simply because I didn't know what was used to bind the briquettes together and wanted to avoid chemicals and the possibility of bad tastes. I have a friend that uses K and I noticed a lot more ash from his cooks than mine. I feel like I get consistent temps and burn times as long as I stay with the same brand. Lately I have been using Cowboy that I buy from Ace Hardware. I think that K is probably easier to manage on a stubborn cooker, due to uniform size and such, but the WSM is sooooo easy to use, it makes up for any problems lump may cause. I am not being a lump snob here, just giving you my experience. As I have said on other posts, I think each person should use what makes them comfortable. If you want to try lump, go for it. If you don't like it, then use what you like! People who use K turn out a lot better product here than I ever will. I just started with it and once I got used to it, stayed with it so it was one less thing to worry about. You, being from Lexington, live and breathe this stuff! Carolina happens to be my fav when it comes to the wonderful world of que, but before I start a war here... Yeah lump! Yeah K! We are all winners!!!
icon_smile.gif
Good luck on your journey to bbq enlightenment.
 
Good advice from Gary and Shane.

1) To me it burns about the same or a little less with good fire control. It will definitely depend on the brand, quality, etc. I don't like Cowboy (Whole Foods 360 is Cowboy). It burns pretty fast, smells funny and has a lot of old ball scraps in it. At least the stuff I tried.

The advantage to me is primarily flavor related. Again this depends on the brand/quality. I often will use no smoke wood and enjoy the subtle flavor left by the lump itself. After all it is hardwood. I've been using Humphrey's for at least 5 years. Pretty much exclusively at this point. I do really like Maple hardwood charcoal best, but it's pricey and not as readily available around me in steady supply.

Second, I like the incredibly small amount of ash by comparison to K or equivalents. I also like that it can still be used if it has gotten wet or damp. I also believe it gives me higher heat for grilling. I also think it lights easier/faster in a chimney

2)What is the cost difference between lump and K?


You can buy briquettes that are all hardwood. You might want to try those first. It will be clearly labled as "100% Hardwood Briquettes" This is typically less per bag than lump.

Lump will always be more than briquettes like K. You will pay anywhere from $10-22 a 20lb bag depending on how/where you buy and on what brand.

3)Where can I find it?

Some specialty stores, hardware stores, big box stores, etc. Or mail order if you just want to try a bag or different types. Mail order is expensive though. And lump is more expensive than K by the pound. I think Royal Oak is probably one of the most widely available better quality lump to find.

If you have farm supply, seed and feed or "rollermill" type places around you definitely check them out. Lump charcoal is used by blacksmiths, on farms, etc. I have found several places like this around me and by 10 bags at a time. In general if they carry it the price is wholesale as they by in pallets and aren't trying to upsell to a "gourmet" community, etc. I get Humphrey's for example at around $7-11 a bag over the last 5+ years. In specialty or retail stores it is typically $18-21 bag for 20lb. These places will drop there wholesale price a bit further if you bu 10 bags or more, do a group buy on a pallet (usually about 40 20lb bags) Don't forget restaurant supply houses - most of them around me have Royal Oak Lump and Briquettes in stock all year round.


I would just like to know what I'm getting, and how to utilize it before I go out and buy a bag.

If I were you, I would look at this resource to get some ratings and ideas as well as get a good reference to see what to look out for in your area

Anything you want to know about different brands of lump
 
Tim, I use Lazzari Mesquite lump. See here:

http://www.lazzari.com/

Have been using for many years before I found my WSM. I buy in 40lb bags from Cash & Carry. It runs cheap. Burning mesquite lump is way different than burning mesquite wood chunks for flavor. In my experience there is no strong mesquite flavor with the coal. It does bur hot, it sparks a bit in the chimney but the cost is great and it lasts a long time. Call the company and ask them who is a local supplyer near you. I have spoken to them and they are really friendly. Been in San Francisco since 1908 and ship all over the country.
Mark
 
Tim -

For me I have come full circle on this. I started with K. I then tried a variety of lump and now am back with K. For me the biggest thing was having lump pop pieces out of the starter. I decided that I could tolerate the ash more than the hot embers that ended up on the patio during startup. I would say that you owe it to yourself to try it and see what you think. As you can see from the threads there are plenty of folks that prefer it. It just didn't work for me.

(I have tried Cowboy, RO, Nature's Grilling Mesquite, Frontier (both Sam's and Ace Hardware varieties) and some HEB mesquite)

-Don
 
Alright guys, thanks for the input! We were at Wal mart this evening, and picked up a 10# bag of RO. I plan on using it when I grill(Sunday evening) for supper. Don, thanks for the 'heads up' on the popping out of the chimney. I will be sure to put something under it while it is warming up.
This is what I have come to really enjoy about grilling/smoking; there are so many variations as to how to grill/smoke! And this web-site is second to none! All the info is true and sincere, no underhanded intentions, just a lot of us tryting to help each other when we can!
Thanks to all, pics are soon to follow!
Tim
icon_biggrin.gif
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Don Dukes:
Tim -

For me I have come full circle on this. I started with K. I then tried a variety of lump and now am back with K. For me the biggest thing was having lump pop pieces out of the starter. I decided that I could tolerate the ash more than the hot embers that ended up on the patio during startup. I would say that you owe it to yourself to try it and see what you think. As you can see from the threads there are plenty of folks that prefer it. It just didn't work for me.

(I have tried Cowboy, RO, Nature's Grilling Mesquite, Frontier (both Sam's and Ace Hardware varieties) and some HEB mesquite)

-Don </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I find that the issue you mention has very much to do AFA brand. The url I show above will help guide in that regard. I found that Cowboy did this A LOT. Humphrey's doesn't for example. You may get little sparking when dumping lit into the grill, but that's pretty much it. No popping or flying embers at all, period. It really has to do with quality of materials type of wood used IMHO.
 
Tim,my local WM gets about 6 bags of RO a year,then no more.
icon_frown.gif
So for grilling,I get the Full Circle lump from Bi-lo. Not as good as RO,but sooo much better than cowboy!
 
I like lump because of flavor difference. I still tend to use briquettes more often when smoking for better temperature control, but now that I have a stoker i don't think I'll be using K any longer! Lump is real coal because when you shut the vents it actually burns out where with K they seem to just keep burning, which also means if you over shoot your target with K, you will have one **** of a time bringing it back down.
 
I think the flavor difference is significant.

While lump can get very hot very fast, I find that maintaining temps with lump is actually much easier because it reacts quickly to air-flow change.
 
Craig is spot on! Tim you will like the RO. Ocassionally you will find some insulation from the kiln, no worries just toss it out.
 
well i have tried bout everything over the last 2 yrs and i am back too briquettes. funny thing happened before labor day i went back too the weber cooking with live fire book sand went too the jim minion brisket page, i found it interesting that he said he started with 1 full chimney starter and bout 20 lit on to, seemed like not enuff fuel, so i got some stubbs out and tried it and it was awesome,cooked for 8 hours and had no problems. i also have tried wicked good briquettes and like them too. i have used lump too but it seems like it takes too much fuel some times a an my last 2 smokes went awesome without a ton of fuel.. happy smoking and Go Sooners!!!!

Glenn in SC
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top