First time user and can't wait to use it

[gregshin]

I currently use Trader Joe's hardwood charcoal briquettes because i love the low ash it leaves behind.

I did a practice run lighting about 15 coals only and had almost the ideal temp with TJ lump charcoal.

Have any of you had good success with Trader Joe's charcoal or should i just really stick with Kingsford?

[pilfjd]

Hi, I've only had one experience using lump charcoal and I hated it. I lost so many pieces of charcoal through the charcoal grates plus it burned up very quickly and I was refilling often. I'll only stick with Kingsford briquettes as it is available everywhere around me.

For grilling, I might consider lump charcoal if I can figure out how not to lose so many pieces.

Good luck!

[rangerone]

Hello and welcome gregshin.

I have to agree with Jay. Despite everyone telling me lump was the only way to go when I bought my Weber and Smokenator, I found the lump to be very disappointing. The inconsistency of the sizes of pieces made it difficult for me to fill the Smokenator, as so many small pieces would just fall through the grate, and some of the really big pieces were just too big. I was told to sort the pieces by size and then use the best fit ones, but who has the time to do that? The bag of lump I bought is now being used up for grilling, and I will have about 10% - 15% waste left over (dust and pieces that are too small). I am not familiar with TJ lump, and perhaps the pieces are more consistent. If it works for you, that is all that is important. For me the key is consistency. Every time I use the Smokenator, I want to get the same predictable results, and lump charcoal was not doing that for me.

Like Jay, I am using briquets with the Smokenator, and eventually, for grilling as well. I found a brand called Maple Leaf Briquets that has a heavenly smell when lit, and give me very consistent results every time.

Again, welcome to the forum, and please let everyone know what you end up using in your Smokenator. We all love to learn from each other's experiences.

Allan aka RangerOne

[ncsmoker]

Welcome to the forum. I agree with Jay and Allan. I like lump for steaks due to its higher heat level. But for the SN I prefer Kingsford or Walmarts store brand. I just bought a bunch of Kingsford at Lowe's on sale for half price.

Tom aka NC

[gregshin]

Sorry its not lump coals...they are hardwood briquettes.

[pilfjd]

Gregshin, that sounds interesting and similar to rangerones maple leaf briquettes. I personally haven't tried anything other than Kingsford and the bag of lump charcoal. I'd be curious to hear about your experiences with it since a Trader Joe's just opened up near me. Let us all know how the cook goes!

[rangerone]

Hey gregshin, from what I just read about Trader Joe's hardwood charcoal briquettes, it does seem they are very similar to my Maple Leaf Briquets. If this is truly the case, I think you have a winner. Let us know how they perform when you cook something with them.

Allan aka RangerOne

[bigpernz]

Just a heads up to all you smokers out there. Home Depot has a sale right now on Kingsford, 40lb bundles (2 20lb bags)for 10 bucks! 25 cents a pound is the cheapest I've ever seen it and I've seen it up to $1 per pound at my local grocery store. I bought 120lbs of it yesterday. Don't know if this is a nation wide thing or just local but I'm sure as "grilling season" winds down these deals are easier to find. Happy smokin!

[ncsmoker]

bigpernz Put this down in fuel types also more people will probably see it. I had posted that Lowe's had the same deal a week or so ago.

Tom aka NC

[hookout10]

I have been grilling with lump for years.go to your local ace hardware.buy a piece of hvy duty screen.they have small openings about a 1/4 in square and big about 1/2 square.no problems with small pieces falling through if put over the bottom grate.hope that helps.

[ncsmoker]

Here is an article from AmazingRibs. The bottom line is buy what is on sale, the type of charcoal doesn't matter.


amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/zen_of_charcoal.html

Tom