Other Brand Lump Charcoal

jfarley · November 2012

Since getting my LBGE this summer I have only used the BGE lump. During my regular shopping at Ralph's today I discovered they not only carry lump, but three different brands. Their own Kroger brand, Best of the West, and Fire and Flavor. Has anybody used any of these with success?

lousubcap · November 2012

You have asked a question that should elicit many and varied responses-to answer your question, I use the Kroger brand lump (a derivative of Royal Oak and made by the same supplier as the one who feeds BGE lump) and have for a few years with good success. I have seen the others but haven't tried them. I keep a supply of Wicked Good Weekend Warrior on hand for "serious" low&slows but have run the cooking spectrum with the Kroger lump with no problems. YMMV-

jfarley · November 2012

That's good news. Without your report I would have been hesitant to use it but will now give it a try. While I didn't pay attention to the price, I'm suspecting it is less expansive than the BGE. It's also a heck of a lot closer if I'm ever in a pinch. Thanks lousubcap!

calracefan · November 2012

I have tried Best of the West (Mesquite), available at SAMS it worked fine, Wicked Good Weekend Warrior is good, the last I tried is local to me Chigger Creek it also is very good.

banjoman · November 2012

I'm not a big fan of the Fire and Flavor. I had several pieces of concrete in the bag I bought and it had a really strong smokey flavor. Not the good kind of smoke either. I just bought a bag of the Kroger Brand tonight so I really don't have any input on it yet.

EggRacer · November 2012

Ozark Oak is all I use, so I'm not any help.

texbagger · November 2012

Most brands of lump tested at www.nakedwhiz.com
Best of the West: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag22.htm
I didn't see the other two, but look for yourself.
Whiz comes in here frequently and has one of the best web sites anywhere. Whiz tests everything from lump to stokers. He has one of the best web sites out there.

Of course you should buy all 3 and pick your favorite like I do, if it's not listed on his website.

I like to keep my target price at 50 cents a pound if I can find it that cheap. At least that's what I shoot for and gauge the price on.

Griffin · November 2012

Kroger = BGE = Royal Oak. All the same, just price difference. I used the Kroger exclusively for a long time, until we moved. Now the nearest grocery store is Tom Thumb and its much better than the nearby Kroger, so I no longer go there to shop and get lump.

henapple · November 2012

While I usually stand in awe of Griffin I respectfully disagree. I had huge success with BGE but noticed a extreme drop of in RO. Lower temp and less burn time.

Doc_Eggerton · November 2012

RO is my staple, Best of the West is good, Cowboy is crap.

Griffin · November 2012

Hmmm...interesting @henapple, especially since Royal Oak supplies BGE with their lump. I guess I should preface all that by saying that's what I've always been told and read. You may very well be right. I've never tried BGE lump because I'm not gonna pay that much for lump when I can get other brands that I am happy with. Royal oak always lights quickly and gets up to high temperatures quickly for me.

henapple · November 2012

I know companies supply different levels of quality under different names. Did that when I was at Whirlpool. I'm just going on experience...or my experience. They "gave" me a bag of BGE at purchase and so far it's the best I've used. I've noticed several complaints on the forum lately. Maybe they've dropped standards, I don't know. BGE is expensive. I'm dying to try Ozark...going through Arkansas soon and will get some.

Que_n_Brew · November 2012

I bought a bag of BGE lately and wasn't pleased with it's perfromance doing a "low and slow". However, when I want to get the EGG hot for a steak, BGE works great. I am only using it in that capacity til it's gone, then it will be all RO...which seems to do both very well.

BigWader · November 2012

When I bought my egg in March I got 4 bags of BGE lump. They seemed to work fine - could get whatever temp I wanted and not too much ash - but SWMBO found the smoke flavour too acrid so I switched to Basque and it seemed cleaner. I'm going to try Wicked Good because I never seem to get large chunks in Basque.

henapple · November 2012

Every one is different...I found wgww to have an aftertaste...and burn to hot for a l&s.

LDR · November 2012

henapple said:

I know companies supply different levels of quality under different names. Did that when I was at Whirlpool. I'm just going on experience...or my experience. They "gave" me a bag of BGE at purchase and so far it's the best I've used. I've noticed several complaints on the forum lately. Maybe they've dropped standards, I don't know. BGE is expensive. I'm dying to try Ozark...going through Arkansas soon and will get some.

I recommend you look for it at Harps. It's typically $5 a bag there, and sometimes drops to $4.

cmkratt · November 2012

I use Kroger brand interchangeably with Royal Oak. Same stuff.

henapple · November 2012

Where is harps? I'm going 40...30, Memphis to Texas

LDR · November 2012

henapple said:

Where is harps? I'm going 40...30, Memphis to Texas

I'd recommend the one in Benton, it's on I-30 about 25 miles south of Little Rock. If you don't use GPS, let me know and I'll get you the exit and turns. They had about 40 bags out last time I was there.

Harps # 138
1515 Hwy 5 North
Benton, AR 72015

(501) 794-0820

henapple · November 2012

Have it marked on google maps....thanks

SmokeyPitt · November 2012

The rumors I have heard is that the BGE is "hand selected" from Royal Oak. I envision this probably just means it goes through some kind of sifting process, and the stuff that falls through the sifter ends up in the bags they send to Wal-mart and Kroger ;).

Still, for the price difference and convenience I usually go with Kroger brand. Since I got the high queue it doesn't matter so much. Give it a stir and the smaller cr@p falls through. I'm doing my own sifting ;).

Optiontrader · November 2012

I like Best of The West especially for the money. Normally $8 for a 20# bag at SAMs. Bought local SAMs remaining supply, 20 bags for $20. (Season close-out)

henapple · November 2012

Smokey...I agree. Option, that's a deal.

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