Worst Lump so far... (pics)

eggo · April 2012

I have probably burned 800 lbs of it in the last year and have never seen anything like that. I would never use it again if it acted that way. I wonder if it got wet somehow or something like that. This is what Sysco sells to all their restaurants too so If it were that crazy, I'm sure they would get a lot of complaints.

That looks and sounds awful but that has not nearly been my experience with it.

I've not used nearly 800 lbs but never had anything like that. Something was bad wrong with that bag.

BYS1981 · April 2012

These comments from others suggesting your lump got wet is reassuring for me.. I have a 40lb unopened bag of Best of the West.

OLD NORTH STATE BBQ CO. · April 2012

These comments from others suggesting your lump got wet is reassuring for me.. I have a 40lb unopened bag of Best of the West.

Unfortunately this is not the case. The lump was bone dry. The bag was opened the night of the cook, and I store my lump indoors, so there was no possible way it was wet.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · April 2012

I was not thinking you got it wet. Just wondering if somewhere in the supply chain it got wet (or something else that would make it go nuts like you said). I totally buy what you are saying; I've just had a different experience with a much broader window of use. Disapp

The Cen-Tex Smoker · April 2012

Disappointed with what you went through. I've been touting this as good stuff and really hope this is a one-off deal.

SandBilly · April 2012

I think it has to be, you know from your experience it's not normal.

BYS1981 · April 2012

Old State, I meant from the distribution to your house it got wet, not you got it wet.

camueller · April 2012

I bought a 20lb bag of the best of the west from SAMs club. I thought it was just fine except that I agree the mesquite flavor was too much for me when I used only the best of the west lump. I'm finishing off the bag by adding a lump or two to other charcoal when I want a little mesquite flavor.

hartofatiger · April 2012

@ OLD NORTH STATE BBQ CO. -I have used and think very highly of Wicked Good Weekend Warrior-by chance have you any run-time with Ozark Oak...that's next on my experiment plate but I have to do a big buy to justify the freight.

And thanks for the heads up on Best of the West.

I like Ozark Oak over all lumps.

+1

FxLynch · April 2012

I used my bag of this charcoal yesterday for about 3 hours, smoking pork loins and making baked potatoes. It lit easily and held temps great, with no more sparking than my Royal Oak. I'm happy with it, especially given the price.

Frank

jimbrandt · April 2012

I use only Ozark Oak. $4.97 for a 10lb bag here in Arkansas.

khristyjeff · April 2012

I like Royal Oak too but the lump size seems to be getting smaller and smaller.

I must be getting all of your big RO chunks in my bags. The last 2 have had very few medium or small pieces making it harder for me to light.

EZEGG · April 2012

Wow those pics remind me of the Mesquite stuff I tried from Costco.... Threw half that bag out.

I stick with Wicked Good now. Have not found a better all around charcoal myself.

RichardBronosky · April 2012

Yeah, I had one really bag bag of Publix Greenwise, then bought 3 more bags from a different Publix. It was like a completely different product. No problems at all the second time.

I'd return it to the dealer. I wish I had instead of burning it all. I put an entire 8.8lb bag in my LBGE, so I don't get to take it back if it sucks.

lousubcap · April 2012

@ RichardBronosky - don't know if the circumstances surrounding your Publix lump were the same in all cooks, but if you dump a whole bag into the BGE you have a high probability of getting small lump and the shake clogging the air holes on your charocal grate. You can appreciate the challenges that will present especially if cooking low & slow-glad all is fine now.

EggRacer · April 2012

Ozark Oak is all I use. My dealer always has it here in DFW. Rarely sparks, burns great, for the most part not too large or too small. Good quality.

dlk7 · April 2012

I'm using Ozark Oak on my Car Wash Mike Rib cook right now. Started easy with the looft lighter - very little sparking. I'l let you know how much it burns when done.

Kokeman · April 2012

I bought a bag and only use it for clean burns.

lousubcap · April 2012

I bought a bag and only use it for clean burns.

Would be interested in your reasons for the above as I don't want to invest in a bulk buy of Ozark Oak only for the clean burn bene's especially when I don't do the clean burn drill. Any additional insights appreciated.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · April 2012

I bought a bag and only use it for clean burns.

Would be interested in your reasons for the above as I don't want to invest in a bulk buy of Ozark Oak only for the clean burn bene's especially when I don't do the clean burn drill. Any additional insights appreciated.

he might be talking about the Best of The West for his clean burns. Can't tell.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · May 2012

Update- I had the crazy-ass spark shower last night with Best of The West like I have never seen. I took a video of it and will post later. It was insane. I narrowed it down to 1 piece of lump. I had a huge piece that was not burning so I moved to the hottest part of the fire. it went off like a bottle rocket. I moved it back to the side and it just stopped.

All the other lump burned just fine as always but this one piece was mad as hell about something.

Anyway, I've burned over 1000 lb of this lump and this is the first issue. No biggie but I know exactly what you are talking about now. WOW.

killborn · June 2012

And here I was just about to head off to Sams club to pick up a 40lb bag.. Might still give it a try. Wonder if I can use this together with the BBQ Galore lump to break some of the mesquite?

Eggbertsdad · June 2012

I just ordered a Rutland gasket from my local Ace Hardware in Coral Springs, and I asked him (since he was in the system) to see if he had Wicked Good in his system and they had 2700 bags. I ordered 2 for $19.99 each.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · June 2012

And here I was just about to head off to Sams club to pick up a 40lb bag.. Might still give it a try. Wonder if I can use this together with the BBQ Galore lump to break some of the mesquite?

Have gone through 1000 lbs and this is the only problem I have ever had. It was 1 piece of lump out of thousands. The quality is very good. Give it a shot. You can use it with anything you like. Mix and match. I don't notice the flavor being overlynstrong but I've cooked over mesquite for years. Might want to test it, then mix if it's too strong for you.

killborn · June 2012

Thanks Cen Tex, will give it a try. Worth a shot, if it does not work I will use it in the firepit where I don't mind some fireworks. I like the Egg lump, but at $25 a bag I slightly cheaper option would be welcome. I got a $200 gift card from BBQ Galore with my Egg, hence why I want to try their lump as well.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · June 2012

Thanks Cen Tex, will give it a try. Worth a shot, if it does not work I will use it in the firepit where I don't mind some fireworks. I like the Egg lump, but at $25 a bag I slightly cheaper option would be welcome. I got a $200 gift card from BBQ Galore with my Egg, hence why I want to try their lump as well.

That's a good deal!

hogsfan · June 2012

Ozark Oak is all I use. My dealer always has it here in DFW. Rarely sparks, burns great, for the most part not too large or too small. Good quality.

(sorry if I already said this on this thread) It's funny. I'm in DFW too so I get Ozark Oak a lot and though I like the fact that it starts quickly and is very reasonable as far as ash production, my bags have always been as bad as any other. In fact, a few weeks ago, I had a spark fly out at my eye and get caught in my hair. My hair did not catch of fire or anything but it did singe it (lovely smell).

I found some royal oak at walmart (mine walmart is almost always sold out so this is my first bag) and some wicked good. If these aren't any better, I'm just going with natural briquets from here on out.

lousubcap · June 2012

@ hogsfan-The Wicked Good will save you...can't comment on the WW lump as I don't buy from there (personal issues) but it is likely generic Royal Oak and you should be fine either way. Ay additional info on the Ozark Oak as I am looking to try that brand just to see how it goes.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · June 2012

@ hogsfan-The Wicked Good will save you...can't comment on the WW lump as I don't buy from there (personal issues) but it is likely generic Royal Oak and you should be fine either way. Ay additional info on the Ozark Oak as I am looking to try that brand just to see how it goes.

It's primo Cap. Very good stuff. That's my shop's house brand and I can say that it is great lump.

The Cen-Tex Smoker · June 2012

Well....@NakedWhiz still hates it and the review is now recent so take that into account. I do not see the same shake and dust he sees in the small bags (30+%) he got from from the grocery store in the 40lb food service bags I buy at Sam's but I would avoid the small bags for sure if there is a much crap in there as he says (and I'm sure there was).

here is his most recent review of it from last month (thanks for the update Whiz):http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag22.htm

My last bag was under 10% shake and the other pieces were huge. I'll keep taking my chances until I see what he sees in my bags. Then we'll be moving on to bigger and better. For now, Sticking with it.

This was my last bag (the pic inside the bag was taken after the mammoth pieces came out off the top)

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Worst Lump so far... (pics)

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