I use Wicked Good and Royal Oak. Always try to pick the bag on the top of the pallet to get the biggest chunks.

I did spend the money on a kick ash basket for my small BGE. It doesn't really make it work better, but it does make cleaning out the ash quicker, which makes me use it more often.

I’ve used Primo, Royal Oak and hands down the best I’ve ever used is Jealous Devil. I have the Primo XL as my grill/smoker.

I've used this for a few years now in my BGE. It does not throw too many sparks and its full of large chunks. Highly recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/Fogo-FH...+%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1

Rockwood is very good. Also used to be able to get one from the northeast made from sugar maple. Came in a red and white bag. Really liked it as well. Mention it in case it is available in your area.

quote:

Originally posted by 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.

Have a KJ and a BGE. Find the KJ more difficult to control temperature. I'm sure it's got to do with the seals. Mine is not bad enough yet but when it becomes so I'll put new gaskets on it. Guy named Ron Pratt sells kits over on the BGE site.

I had to pick up some charcoal last night so I ran by Ace Hardware. Low and behold, on the shelf is the Fogo Premium and Fogo Super Premium recommended in this thread. I bought a bag of the Super Premium. The chunks are massive, likes softballs and baseballs. We will see how it cooks tomorrow.

For my Kamado, I try to stick to KJ, BGE, and Fogo lump. With Fogo being the best with chicken and turkey and other meats where you want a gentle wood fire taste.
For high temps, you need great airflow. I pull my heat deflectors out and through clean a couple of times per year. The KA is a great alternative. I also removed the ask pan for increased air flow. Check out the “Smoking Dad” videos, he addresses a lot of KJ issues.
If you have a gas grill with a side burner, buy a Weber chimney, or other brand. Fill with lump, leave on side burner for about five minutes. Flames out the top, and it will start glowing. This is the fastest way I’ve found to get a good fire going!

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Rockwood is very good. Also used to be able to get one from the northeast made from sugar maple. Came in a red and white bag. Really liked it as well. Mention it in case it is available in your area.

Was it called "Maple Leaf " ? There's another that goes by "Basque Sugar Maple", both are excellent.

B+B oak is my favorite.
I was using the KJ big lump charcoal but sometimes you get a very bitter flavor from it, however it lasts a long time. Cowboy is somewhere between ok and crap, royal oak is REAL crap.

quote:

Originally posted by Genorogers:

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Rockwood is very good. Also used to be able to get one from the northeast made from sugar maple. Came in a red and white bag. Really liked it as well. Mention it in case it is available in your area.

Was it called "Maple Leaf " ? There's another that goes by "Basque Sugar Maple", both are excellent.

Pretty sure it was the Basque Sugar Maple.

I've got a couple bags of the Basque Sugar Maple in the shed. Small pieces and they burn quick but I love it for grilled veggies. The best flavor and I've tried a lot of different coal.
I do also have the KA basket and the ash can, worth it just for the ease in cleaning to me.

I cooked with the Fogo Super Premium yesterday. I was quite happy. The small amount of huge chunks I used cooked for 8 hours and seemed to hold temp very well.