I have a Kamado Joe, and struggle getting the temps up to where I want them. I think the problem is the Royal Oak lump I buy at Walmart - most of the bag is nothing but little 1-inch pieces, which do a pretty good job of covering and plugging the air holes. Does anyone have a recommendation for something that is truly 'lump' charcoal? Would a kick ash basket help with airflow?
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ
January 09, 2023, 09:52 AM
smschulz
First, the kick ash basket is amazing. So much easier to clean. No doubt too small pieces can be problematic. We use B&B mostly but have used many - no real opinion that one is better than another, they could be > I just haven't noticed any difference. YMMV
January 09, 2023, 09:53 AM
HRK
Agree Kick Ash Basket is great, and the catch pot under it to help clean up the ash, just lift, dump and replace.
I've used three kinds and the results of getting heat are vastly different.
Cowboy - small broken bits, very few large lumps, burns hot and quickly
B&B - Average, better than cowboy, bags are a surprise, sometimes medium size lumps and some small, last bag, nothing but boulders
Green Egg - Expensive - Gives off the best smoke odor, heat is very good, lights quickly, best of these three.This message has been edited. Last edited by: HRK,
January 09, 2023, 10:07 AM
shiftyvtec
I'm new to kamado type smokers and often make pizza. I've failed to get the 600* - 700*F I like due to being too frugal with the charcoal. In my experience, to get the heat up that high you need to light the lump pile in 3 or 4 spots. When you shut the grill down after cooking it pretty much consumes the whole load.
Not knowing what temps youre going for, all I can recommend is start with a good quantity of charcoal and light multiple spots if you need the heat. I use Royal Oak primarily. The basket that's been recommended should certainly help with airflow and convenience. If you are getting nothing but small shards in the bag you going to lose alot through the basket mesh.
January 09, 2023, 10:41 AM
4x5
quote:
Originally posted by shiftyvtec: I'm new to kamado type smokers and often make pizza. I've failed to get the 600* - 700*F I like due to being too frugal with the charcoal. In my experience, to get the heat up that high you need to light the lump pile in 3 or 4 spots. When you shut the grill down after cooking it pretty much consumes the whole load.
Not knowing what temps youre going for, all I can recommend is start with a good quantity of charcoal and light multiple spots if you need the heat. I use Royal Oak primarily. The basket that's been recommended should certainly help with airflow and convenience. If you are getting nothing but small shards in the bag you going to lose alot through the basket mesh.
we made some pizzas over the holidays, and I got the KJ up to about 650 with the assistance of my wife's hairdryer. The pizza turned out great!
Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ
January 09, 2023, 10:42 AM
old rugged cross
I use Wicked something. Nice size pieces. My problem with my Kommando is I cannot control the heat from rising. It gets too hot. I have the KA basket as well.
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
January 09, 2023, 10:45 AM
holdem
When I got my Kamado, the biggest recommendation I got was a kick ash basket. I bought it immediately and have never cooked without it.
As for charcoal, I have used Cowboy and the Costco bag it so huge it lasts forever. I have used one or two other good brands also, I think Kamado was one of them. With a good brand, I have not really been able to tell the difference.
January 09, 2023, 10:53 AM
snwghst
KJ big lump Fogo Rockwood
B&B or Royal Oak for general grilling
Royal Oak makes the BGE lump
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January 09, 2023, 10:58 AM
Georgeair
I use Royal Oak in a pinch or if needing to get locally.
My main charcoal now is Fogo, available at some locations or online. Get a couple bags and shipping is free.
Use mainly Premium, occasionally will get some Super Premium if on sale. The smoke off of the Bazilian Eucalyptus is pretty cool too, for something cooking a bit longer than just direct grilling, but not as long as a butt smoke, etc.
If you want to try, shoot me an email, they have option to share a 10% discount via email.
Also have a "Rewards" program that nets me about one free bag per year.
The best I've used is Fogo, thanks to Mr. Yarchin. I currently use B&B from Academy and I think its your best bang for the buck. I've gotten literal construction scraps in the Cowboy bags and quit buying it. NEVER buy the red bag cheap stuff from HD, Lowes or Walmart, its garbage. I've found metal chunks, rocks, etc. and it doesn't burn well either.
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January 09, 2023, 12:33 PM
jaaron11
I just finished my first bag of Jealous Devil and it is easily my new favorite. Bigger chunks, less powder, less ash, and more consistent temperature than Royal Oak. I was able to smoke low and slow with it and sear at high heat. Each piece is very consistent, whereas with Royal Oak some pieces burn hotter than others and mess with the temperature.
Never tried Fogo, but it sounds good.
J
Rak Chazak Amats
January 09, 2023, 12:36 PM
Genorogers
B&B from your local ACE Hardware.
January 09, 2023, 12:38 PM
JohnV
Jealous Devil for hot and faster cooks. Although I have used it low and slow plenty of times.
Fogo Super Premium for low and slow.
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January 09, 2023, 01:30 PM
Gustofer
quote:
kick ash basket
Forgive me, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how a $75 glorified colander would have an appreciable effect on my grilling.
I have zero problems getting my medium Egg up 6-700F provided I'm not lazy and forget to ShopVac out the ashes. It has more than enough airflow as is IMO.
As far as charcoal, I like the Egg stuff. I've tried Fogo and it was nice, but I can't buy it around here and having it shipped is kind of a pain.
________________________________________________________ "Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton.
January 09, 2023, 01:45 PM
HRK
quote:
Forgive me, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how a $75 glorified colander would have an appreciable effect on my grilling.
Wait until you drop $50 on a Ash Can which is a dog bowl with a cut in it LOL
Will say they both work well, I'm able to lift the remains of a previous grilling out without having to scoop out good chunks of Lump that are left with the ash.
Take a paper towel brush down all the inside of the lower fire box into the Ash Can and lift out to dump, no need to get the shop vac out drag it out to the patio, clean, take it back to the garage, empty it.
Basically it's convenience, and I find I use the grill more because it's much easier to clean up.
January 09, 2023, 02:42 PM
smschulz
quote:
Forgive me, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how a $75 glorified colander would have an appreciable effect on my grilling.
It won't but you miss the point. It is a convenience item that makes the process much easier, and I might add that the basket does seem to have better air flow. The "ask can" is simplex but works extremely well too. Is it a life/death necessity to cook - no but it sure makes life easier.