hardwood charcoal question

[rock n roll kid]

has anyone here used this to any extent ? i have 2-3 bags of it left over and i have tried to cook with it on a portable , small size type " patio bucket " grill about 2 years ago. couldnt keep the fire going and had to keep rebuilding it several times.
the bag says it is " cowboy charcoal " and is supposed to burn hotter and longer than standard charcoal " ! wonder if the small grill might be the problem..... not holding the fire , or heat the way a full size grill would ?
was thinking about mixing it with some regular kingsford charcoal that i use in my weber smokey mountain smoker but have been leary to do so because of my miserable results from the time i used it before.
and yes , it has never been wet and is stored in my garage in a large trash can with lid in place.

 

[rondo]

Is it lump or briquette? I have used lump with good results, but prefer hardwood briquettes due to consistency. Lump often comes in a few large pieces and a lot of small pieces. The small pieces are the problem - not enough air between the pieces causes it to suffocate the fire.

Briquettes almost always burn the same, lump is hit or miss. Royal Oak is a good brand but can be hard to find. My local grocery store has started stocking Stubbs hardwood briquettes and it works well. I avoid Kingsford if possible and never use starter fluid.

With a charcoal chimney and two sheets of newspaper, the coals are ready to go in the WSM in 20-30 minutes. Slightly misting the newspaper with a spray vegetable oil helps getting it all started.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I've had problems in a small Weber Smokey Joe trying to use cowboy or lump charcoal. I really prefer it, but it's difficult to keep lit especially if you use the lid over the grill as a Weber is designed.
I use it mixed with briquettes now just to get rid of it.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I don't like it. You buy a bag (10 lbs) you get 5-6 BIG pieces-a bunch of useable pieces and the bottom third is dust and pea sized pieces. It burns HOT and fast so it's good for grilling and not much else. It DOES give a more woodsy flavor than briquettes though. When I want to go with the wood flavor-not necessarily smoking-I just cook with briquets and pecan chunks-I get a more controlable fire and much better flavor. (full disclosure-last hurricane took out a pecan tree in my back yard so I have plenty of Pecan wood )

 

[m657]

I've been trying to use up my bag of 'cowboy charcoal' for 2 years now.

There's nothing it does well IMHO.

 

[Scrapper]

I use Kingsford original and some wood if I'm smok'in. I bought a bag of this wood charcoal a couple of times and noticed large pieces of concrete in them, since it's sold by the lb., it's NO DEAL.

 

[mtgianni]

I have some hardwood briquettes I smoke with. I grill with Kingsford or gas.

 

[Jst1mr]

Wonder what I'm doing right? I use lump charcoal with splendid results - superior taste, burns great, can add it piece by piece (unlit) for perfect temperature control over the long haul. Must be the grill - I have a big old Charbroil 940X - but for me this stuff is vastly superior to briquettes. Go figure...

 

[venomballistics]

Indiana.... your north enough ....
God saw fit when he created the Earth to endow this great land with a tree called "Maple" ... charcoal is for city boys who dont know any better

 

[DGNY]

Charcoal Q

Have good luck in NY with lump charcoal, usually Kingsford, and sometimes add some cherry split small. But find locally available briquettes are tough - with gray grit rising if you ever disturb the fire, rake the coals, etc.

Good Grilling!

Dyson

 

[chief38]

I grew up using Kingsford charcoal and a half a can of lighter fluid to get it started. I also used an electric fan to get the coals burning faster. After all the lighter fluid burned off (about 45 min's. later) and all the briquettes were a nice shade of gray, I would throw the goodies on. There was nothing like the taste of meat from a "real" BBQ.

Now that I have gotten pretty lazy, I resort to turning on the Weber gas grill. It does not have the real charcoal flavor (not too bad though), but I get to eat in just minutes. I also have to admit I do not miss the clean up of all the burned out coals, and waiting hours for them to burn themselves out.

chief38

 

[rock n roll kid]

lots of info and ....

opinions here. i checked and it is "western " hardwood charcoal , not cowboy as i originally stated. and it is in lump form.

still like kingsford very well . my smoker does a great job with it and 3-3 small chunks of apple wood for the perfect balance of slightly sweet smoke.
cant imagine using totally wood. i believe it wood be too strong for my personal taste.
found kinsford on sale at home depot...... 2-20lb bags for $10 ! so i stocked up while the sale was on !

 

[celticfisherman]

I use different kinds for different types of cooking.

Cowboy Charcoal is great in my grills for hot and fast cooking. I love cooking steaks over it.

If I am cooking something that will go a long while I use a mix of stuff. Sometimes including cowboy and wood chunks or even logs. Never had a problem with it. I would say if anyone is having issues with it you might be trying to use too much for the grill size you have.