quote:

Originally posted by mark60:
Cowboy lump sucks. Sparks a ton and a lot of small pieces. Lowes usually carries Kamado Joe big block and Ace hardware has a few good brands.

I'm not sure about the Kamado Joe's charcoal, but Mark60 is dead on about Cowboy. We tried it once, and only once, it popped, and crackled like the 4th of July. Never again !

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Fogo. (I order directly off their website)

Do tell more. Looks like it's cheaper than AMZN with the free shipping. That's some stinking big chunks!

Huge chunks in the super premium. Jeff recommended Fogo in a thread about 6 months ago, so I tried a bag of the Premium and Super premium. Both very good, I'm about to order another couple of bags of Super premium direct from Fogo. Same price/shipping as Amazon, but you get reward points for free charcoal ordering direct.

This is the 2nd state and 2nd country (Alaska, Alberta, and Texas) I’ve had my BGE. I’ve used a variety of lump charcoals.

By far, my:

favorite has been B&B Oak lump. It’s all lump charcoal, consistent heat, consistent burn time, and the oak produces that flavor that helped make Texas hill country BBQ world class.

least favorite has been Cowboy. Can-eh-duh was the worst. Fancy grill store had 3 awesome brands but closed at 6 do I rarely got off work on time, and the only big box store that had lump was Home Depot and it was Cowboy. One bag Of Cowboy was so bad that my BBQ Guru was plus/minus 50 degrees instead of the normal 3 or 4. The final straw was here in Texas I found particle board in it (burning glue isn’t safe).

quote:

Jeff recommended Fogo in a thread about 6 months ago, so I tried a bag of the Premium and Super premium. Both very good, I'm about to order another couple of bags of Super premium direct from Fogo. Same price/shipping as Amazon, but you get reward points for free charcoal ordering direct.

Looks like this "speciality" blend is also a blend of sizes of chunk. I may give that a go.

Linky

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

Jeff recommended Fogo in a thread about 6 months ago, so I tried a bag of the Premium and Super premium. Both very good, I'm about to order another couple of bags of Super premium direct from Fogo. Same price/shipping as Amazon, but you get reward points for free charcoal ordering direct.

Looks like this "speciality" blend is also a blend of sizes of chunk. I may give that a go.

Linky

I thought about trying that one too - if you get it let us know how it works!

quote:

if you get it let us know how it works!

Ordered one of those plus the premium.

Kamado Joe big block (Costco, $1/lb)
Fogo Super Premium

Have had good results with those.

Ace Hardware have it here in northern Colorado. You could check your local hardware stores.

Royal Oak fan here, never seen green bag, only red. Always found Cowboy to be crumbs, crap...

Ace Hardware carries BGE charcoal. My local ACE gives me a punch card after I buy 5 bags the next one is free. Their prices are competitive. FWIW I have tried a number of other brands but have never found anything that works as well as BGE brand.

Should add, don’t forget about the Looflighter. Someone recommended one here in the past. Best way to start your eggs imo. Great recommendation so I’m passing it along.

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:
Should add, don’t forget about the Looflighter. Someone recommended one here in the past. Best way to start your eggs imo. Great recommendation so I’m passing it along.

How long have you been using it? Wondering about durability. I have been using a Mapgas torch for a couple years that does a good job for me.

I prefer to use Fogo but the place that sells it is 30 minutes away so I usually buy multiple bags.

I'll use royal oak in a pinch of I have to.

I really want to try B&B but I have to order it from the ACE website to get it delivered to the closest one to me (40 minutes away).

I prefer to pick my bag myself off the top of the pallet so it doesn't get smashed to pieces in transit.

Royal Oak is all I use in my Egg. I can get it at Walmart, Home Depot, etc. very easily.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:
Should add, don’t forget about the Looflighter. Someone recommended one here in the past. Best way to start your eggs imo. Great recommendation so I’m passing it along.

How long have you been using it? Wondering about durability. I have been using a Mapgas torch for a couple years that does a good job for me.

Ive used one for more than 6 years. The shield on the end is a bit deformed, but it still works great.

What? No one is using Martha Stewart brand? (made by Cowboy and bagged for Kmart)

My top 3 that I've found. BGE brand, Kamado Joe, and Lazzari.

I did try a handful of bags of Cowboy when I heard they were improving a couple yrs ago. I didn't think the first few bags were horrible but the last bag was the worst and I doubt the Cowboy will be back at this house.

I find the biggest factor to what I use is what is nearby. The Lazzari is 20min. away, but now that my favorite hardware has gone "Ace Hardware", I've got the BGE and Kamado Joe and then there is one other I need to try I can't remember the name.
I've used a couple others from my grocery store that were not bad (Full Circle and Mali's) but smaller bags so usually medium to smaller pieces.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:
Should add, don’t forget about the Looflighter. Someone recommended one here in the past. Best way to start your eggs imo. Great recommendation so I’m passing it along.

How long have you been using it? Wondering about durability. I have been using a Mapgas torch for a couple years that does a good job for me.

I'm not esdunbar, but I just checked my Amazon order history and mine has been flawless since July 2016.

I use either lump mesquite or lump oak in my egg depending on what I am making. I live in Texas and use the HEB Central Market brand so no need to go with BGE brand for your egg.

I like Rockwood.
Burns a long time and leaves very little ash.

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
I use either lump mesquite or lump oak in my egg depending on what I am making. I live in Texas and use the HEB Central Market brand so no need to go with BGE brand for your egg.

Have you tried the B&B lump oak that HEB sells? I like it better than Central Market brand.

Give Rockwood a try, very neutral which allows the flavor of your smoking wood to predominate and long burning.