So tonight I thought i'd Q up some beef ribs...3 hrs low and slow, 1 hr in foil, one hour high heat. That was the plan, anyway. I went to walmart (which I rarely do) and rather than buy Kingsford ($6.50 for a 18lb bag) I decided to try "Sam's choice" charcoal. This was the first time and it was a big mistake. I put the charcoal in the wire baskets of my performer and lit the gas...with kingsford, I usually leave the gas on for 5 mins then turn it off and the coals are ready in 20 mins. I tried the same thing with "Sam", and the coals weren't even close to being ready after 40 mins. And at 3 hours into the cook, the briquettes are almost consumed. I think I'll be sticking with kingsford from now on...
