I just got a new Weber Kettle grill and I don’t want to ever again use the cheap Kingsford-type briquettes.

I’d like the lump style, real char wood or whatever you call it, I think.

I did a forum search and found a thread in 2018, good advice there, but I figured in 4 years some brands might have changed or disappeared.

Thanks!
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I use Royal Oak natural lump charcoal. It’s readily available at Walmart, and works well for for my simple grilling needs.

I only used the Royal Oak from Home depot (is was the only place that kept lump in stock) but it burned much better than any briquettes I've used.

Does take a little learning as I recall it burns a little hotter so I was able to keep the grates a notch higher, but when covered it was able to smoke the wood chips in a way the briquettes never could.

I found Ridgeline brand at Lowes. Leaves half as much ash as Kingsford does…and it’s cheaper. I use this in my smoker because I can figure out how much to use and don’t have to baby it. Make a charcoal snake, put a few lumps of wood for the smoke in it, light it and walk away.

I’ve used the lump charcoal and it’s good stuff, but I wasn’t sold on it

Kingsford is crap

Lump coal is all I use. To me, brand really doesn’t matter. I use mesquite lump coal for something like steaks as it burns hotter and oak lump for something like slow smoking ribs as I doesn’t burn as hot and is easier to control the temperature.

in this area, Royal Oak or Cowboy brand are the only lump I can find

of the 2, both do well, however Cowboy sometimes looks like scrap trim lumber, as in crown molding or base,,


I have found that store brand briquets, when lump is hard to find, cook better than kingsford

store brand as in both Kroger and Food lion,

I like B & B. No rocks in it like royal oak

quote:

Originally posted by Blue Dog:
I like B & B. No rocks in it like royal oak

If you have an Ace Hardware close they will have it or will get it for you. Best I have ever used grilling in my Weber kettle or one of my smokers.

I’ve had a Weber kettle grill long enough that I’m on my second one. I tried lump charcoal because I kept hearing that it’s better than briquettes. I don’t think so. I buy the double bags of Kingsford Professional at Costco and I think it’s good. If you think lump is better, go ahead

I was on the lump bandwagon for a bit. Finally I realized that all brands suck. Inconsistent sizes, tons of dust, lots of sparks , etc. I never saw B&B so haven’t tried it. But I use kingsford regular or champion, whatever has a good price. Works great for both 700 degree vortex wings or as a bed for my offset smoker.

I use Rockwood lump in the big green egg. I like it a lot.

I use B&B hickory. Green bag from Ace Hardware

quote:

Originally posted by Sigfan Roy:
I use Rockwood lump in the big green egg. I like it a lot.

Rockwood is really good stuff. I usually end up with Royal Oak as its about all I can find around here. It has gone down in quality the last year or so. Many more rocks and trash than there used to be.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
I’ve had a Weber kettle grill long enough that I’m on my second one. I tried lump charcoal because I kept hearing that it’s better than briquettes. I don’t think so. I buy the double bags of Kingsford Professional at Costco and I think it’s good. If you think lump is better, go ahead

Same here and my 1st Weber kettle was back in the early 90's.
I basically use Kingsford for everything and have not been disappointed but, I have used some lump charcoal as well.
Best I've found in my area is Jealous Devil. It does get screaming hot.
YMMV

I do not have a Weber. I use Big Green Egg lump exclusively in the BGE. It costs a little more but lights easily. I have tried other brands that are cheaper but keep coming back to the BGE brand. The advantage of a komodo type grill/smoker it that you can kill the fire when done cooking and re-start the remaining charcoal for several cooks from one load and that mitigates the extra cost.

+1 for Rockwood

Never had any problems or complaints using Kingsford Original on my Weber kettle.

Ditched Kingsford years back in favor of Royal Oak Natural.

Tried a number of brands of lump charcoal first and wasn't really impressed with any of them.

I really can't complain about Kingsford regular, have used it for years. I only cook burgers, hot dogs and the occasional steak on it, though. Everything else is cooked on our gas grill.

I don't use it any more, but I did for over 25 years.

Nothing but pure mesquite charcoal, brand is unimportant.