Charcoal spark observation.

BYS1981 · December 2012

Hey all,

I am sure everyone has had the occasional lump charcoal that seemed extra sparky? I assumed it was because I was using a lower price brand, Best of the West, at the time, but today (and yesterday) I noticed it with Wicked Good Weekend Warrior. I have observed one thing about most of the times this has happened - the specific piece of lump was shiny instead of dull.

Yesterday, I was cooking a few chicken breasts, I waited until the exhaust was clear smoke, and put the chicken on. After I had the chicken on for a bit, I started to notice a lot of sparkage, and the smoke went white again. When I went to check the temperature on the chicken I noticed a layer of soot was now on the chicken. I thought maybe it was my platesetter being particularly dirty; I cleaned the platesetter at 600 for about 30 minutes.

Today I was cooking a tri tip and the fire was still especially sparking, and popping, I figured it would burn out a bit. I then removed the piece of shiny lump that I noticed yesterday, the sparking stopped instantly. I am writing this to let people know if you see an shiny piece of lump and then once you start the fire it is popping and cracking - consider removing the shiny piece of lump.

nolaegghead · December 2012

I have a working theory that it's related to moisture in the lump - because when I relight burnt lump (usually dry), it doesn't spark as much. The virgin (unburned) lump seems to spark more. Maybe there's sparking in all lump, but it only happens once.

Skiddymarker · December 2012

You might be on to something Nola, I think is is actually the type of wood, which may contain more moisture. Lump companies like WG, BGE, RO etc... try and limit the amount of non-acceptable wood and other crap, but making lump is not rocket science and some junk ends up in the bag. I think the shiny wood @BYS1981 refers to is wood that has not been carbonized like the non-shiny stuff, some hemlock (when dry so hard you can't drive a nail into it and still full of pitch) or even some pressure treated stuff. It might have more resin or God knows what in it, hence the sparking and "soot".

I've never noticed any very "shiny" stuff, I use mostly RO. Great observation, and obviously if the shiny stuff adversely affects food taste, it is easy to remove it.

BYS1981 · December 2012

Skiddy, I haven't seen any shiny pieces in RO, but if you do see some now - you know my hypothesis. haha!

Nola, my theory with the lump doesn't involve moisture, but that very well can be a contributor. The piece of lump I used this time was about the size of my fist and it didn't burn all the way out. I think the reason the fire sparked each time is because this particular piece of lump was still in the firebox, and I think if the piece had been burned completely it would have stopped.

I have seen sparking, but never this bad, I mean the sparks were coming out the top of the egg when the egg was shut. I wish I would have took a picture of the lump it was covered in ash, lol.

Skiddymarker · December 2012

@BYS1981 - what we have here is a flammable "moon rock".

Big_Green_NOLA · December 2012

I doan notice the sparks (maybe I have them) cause I just rake up a bunch of leeves, then trhow my brickets on top, and I set em on fire with some paint thiner an then stick the leef blower in the hole on top. You shouda seen my dog boudreaux trip out cause he as sleepin rite in front the other hole!

nolaegghead · December 2012

Big_Green_NOLA said:

I doan notice the sparks (maybe I have them) cause I just rake up a bunch of leeves, then trhow my brickets on top, and I set em on fire with some paint thiner an then stick the leef blower in the hole on top. You shouda seen my dog boudreaux trip out cause he as sleepin rite in front the other hole!

You should use gasoline and put the leaf blower on the bottom hole. Keep Boudreaux safe.

Little Steven · December 2012

Nah. Gas goes up too quick. Diesel

nolaegghead · December 2012

Little Steven said:

Nah. Gas goes up too quick. Diesel

Cost a little more per gallon, but I stand corrected.

Little Steven · December 2012

It's hard to get going. I use a mapp torch

Mickey · December 2012

How is this?

BigWader · December 2012

Mickey said:

How is this?

Beautiful - brings a tear to my eye
:-O

Skiddymarker · December 2012

Mickey - you are a dangerous man (or a Bessemer operator who lost his way).......

Gloves goggles and fire suit, check!

BYS1981 · December 2012

lol my sparks weren't quite as high as that picture, but it was to the point my wife was extra concerned.

cortguitarman · December 2012

I only get sparks when I light with a heat gun.

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Charcoal spark observation.

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