Which charcoal?

[jetmechG550]

Why would that prevent you from using briquettes? The inside of it is porcelein coated steel right?

BGE, Primo and some of the other komodo style recommend not using briquettes.

 

[pickles]

Yeah, but thats because the ceramic can absorb the flavors.

 

[jetmechG550]

Yeah, but thats because the ceramic can absorb the flavors.

Oops didn't see the "bubba keg" part

 

[Goblism]

Why would that prevent you from using briquettes? The inside of it is porcelein coated steel right?

I think a big part of it is the ash production, you can use briquettes but if your doing a long cook (18 hours or so) they wouldn't work well

 

[pickles]

Oh that makes sense.

 

[Pick]

Another vote for Stubbs. I use some Cowboy lump for grilling.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

The cheapo Char-griller side fire-box smoker I have says in the instructions that for smoking, one should use hardwood logs, not lump/briquettes or chunks/chips. Says the logs achieve higher temps and you may not get hot enough with charcoal. I don't see logs at the grocery or Home Depot, does it really make that much of a difference? I didn't see anybody itt say they used logs.

I've just been using Kingsford and chunks and for anything other than short smokes ash build-up is a bit of a problem.

 

[hamiltont]

The cheapo Char-griller side fire-box smoker I have says in the instructions that for smoking, one should use hardwood logs, not lump/briquettes or chunks/chips. Says the logs achieve higher temps and you may not get hot enough with charcoal. I don't see logs at the grocery or Home Depot, does it really make that much of a difference? I didn't see anybody itt say they used logs.

I've just been using Kingsford and chunks and for anything other than short smokes ash build-up is a bit of a problem.

I have the same smoker. I generally start out with lump & chunks of wood, hickory usually. After a couple hours I switch to Ash. We have tons of Ash trees so it's cheap. I've modified the Char-Griller some (sealed with gasket, fire box basket, deflector & baffles, additional wheels) and it did make a big difference but still needs a lot of attention. It has made some wonderful Q up to this point but I just ordered the Ique 110 and anticipate better things will come with that. Cheers!!!

 

[jetmechG550]

The cheapo Char-griller side fire-box smoker I have says in the instructions that for smoking, one should use hardwood logs, not lump/briquettes or chunks/chips. Says the logs achieve higher temps and you may not get hot enough with charcoal. I don't see logs at the grocery or Home Depot, does it really make that much of a difference? I didn't see anybody itt say they used logs.

I've just been using Kingsford and chunks and for anything other than short smokes ash build-up is a bit of a problem.

When I smoke it's low and slow, 230-240 is the range. That's hot enough, not sure what temps they are suggesting you smoke at?

 

[hamiltont]

When I smoke it's low and slow, 230-240 is the range. That's hot enough, not sure what temps they are suggesting you smoke at?

With the cheap offset smokers it takes a lot of fuel just to get to 225F and when you load them up it really takes a lot. This Q took 16 hours, 2 butts came off @ 10 hours but the rest were just stubborn. Cheers!!!

 

[Sawdustguy]

When I smoke it's low and slow, 230-240 is the range. That's hot enough, not sure what temps they are suggesting you smoke at?

+1 they don't call it low and slow for nothing. The only one that I have seen be successful cooking a brisket hot and fast is Myron Mixon. I tried it once and it came out the consistency of shoe leather so it's low and slow with brisket for me.

 

[Sawdustguy]

The cheapo Char-griller side fire-box smoker I have says in the instructions that for smoking, one should use hardwood logs, not lump/briquettes or chunks/chips. Says the logs achieve higher temps and you may not get hot enough with charcoal. I don't see logs at the grocery or Home Depot, does it really make that much of a difference? I didn't see anybody itt say they used logs.

I've just been using Kingsford and chunks and for anything other than short smokes ash build-up is a bit of a problem.

There are tons of mods for the chargriller that can improve the performance of the smoker dramatically. Just do a google search.

 

[jetmechG550]

+1 they don't call it low and slow for nothing. The only one that I have seen be successful cooking a brisket hot and fast is Myron Mixon. I tried it once and it came out the consistency of shoe leather so it's low and slow with brisket for me.

A friend of mine was supposed to go to one of his BBQ classes he offers, have see when that was.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

I can't recall if they said a specific temp but they were referring to smoking meats and the range listed above is pretty well-known/standard so I assume they meant in the 225* F range.

Data I've done some simple mods based on google searches and posts in another thread. I never used it 'stock' so I'm not sure how much they improved things.

 

[dataz722]

I can't recall if they said a specific temp but they were referring to smoking meats and the range listed above is pretty well-known/standard so I assume they meant in the 225* F range.

Data I've done some simple mods based on google searches and posts in another thread. I never used it 'stock' so I'm not sure how much they improved things.

What have you done to it?

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

Extended the chimney with hd foil, used hd foil to direct the heat coming out of the box more horizontal. Flipped the fire-box grate.

When I saw this thread I kind of expected several to say they used whole logs (an assumption based on the suggestion in the CG user manual). But I didn't see anybody say it which surprised me (not that I would know). I just wanted to be sure.

I took 3 weekends off from brewing this month and had hoped to smoke something but just never did. I damn sure didn't do anything but watch hoops last weekend. I'm gonna do some ribs this weekend but I just bought two 20# bags of Kingsford ($10 for both at HD) so that's what I'll be using. Now if I can just find that Apple-Butter BBQ sauce recipe.

 

[dataz722]

I know of a lot of people that use logs and probably an equal number of people that use charcoal. It is really just a preference thing.

 

[hamiltont]

I found the largest splits I could use in the the CG were about 1"-2" in diameter. Anything larger than that just smoldered. Not enough air flow even after adding more air intake ports. Soo, an IQ 110 is now on order. Cheers!!!

 

[jetmechG550]

Why does it say not to use lump? I have no problem getting to 750+ in my BGE using lump.

 

[pickles]

Why does it say not to use lump? I have no problem getting to 750+ in my BGE using lump.

what post are you referring too?

 

[jetmechG550]

what post are you referring too?

#37

 

[MultumInParvo]

Thanks but there's no beating lump, IMO. I can get 18 hours out of a firebox (large BGE) of lump and an 8# bag of Royal Oak SH is under $5 by me

I agree 100% here. Royal Oak is very strong. Really some of the best I have used. But I can get a 20 pound bag for 12 bucks at Ace Hardware. I haven't found a better bang for the buck anywhere.

And the large BGE is awesome as well.

 

[azscoob]

I have a lightly modded S-N-P, I start with lump and switch over to log, I scored a load of pecan from a developer who was removing a grove to make room for a park by my house.

 

[toolboxdiver]

I've been smoking for about 8 years now and have tried all different kinds and I keep going back to standard Kingsford. Works great and lasts.

I'm a kingsford die hard too

 

[remilard]

Thanks but there's no beating lump, IMO. I can get 18 hours out of a firebox (large BGE) of lump and an 8# bag of Royal Oak SH is under $5 by me

If you can get Wicked Good lump give it a try. I have cooked 30 hours in a large BGE with a single load and enough fuel left I would have made 48 hours. The pieces in the bag are mostly huge. The only downside is that it is a little hard to start.

I used Royal Oak before I switched to WG.

 

[remilard]

#37

I believe he is using a poorly insulated offset cooker. A world of difference from a ceramic direct heated cooker.

 

[dataz722]

Wicked good is one of the few that I haven't tried that I want to. It would just be way too expensive for me. It is fairly high priced to begin with but then I would have to have it shipped. $30 for a bag is just a little too much for me.

 

[remilard]

Wicked good is one of the few that I haven't tried that I want to. It would just be way too expensive for me. It is fairly high priced to begin with but then I would have to have it shipped. $30 for a bag is just a little too much for me.

They now list a retailer in Dover. I happen to live about a quarter mile from one of their retailers. I just checked their site and they must have increased retail outlets ten fold since I last checked (a year or so ago) so hopefully it will be more widely available soon.

I think at the retail price it is definitely worth the premium but you are right, adding shipping really messes up the cost/benefit.

 

[dataz722]

Thanks, I hadn't looked lately and didn't know they had expanded to around here. I pass through dover every few months too. Looks like I will finally give it a shot. I doubt it will get me away from stubbs though.

 

[Steelers77]

Humphreys is awesome lump charcoal at a good price.

If your near Clarion PA the plant is just off I-80. Give them a call and they will let you pick up at the plant. I think I paid $13 for 40lb bags of lump, that was a few years back.