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Charcoal Storage Question

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Texhead
Texhead Posts: 49
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
Every time I do a low and slow, I open a new bag of charcoal to find those good big pieces. Needless to say, I now have "several" opened bags of lump littering my garage.

Anyone have any ingenious methods of charcoal storage? I suppose I could consolidate into one bag but for the fact that I usually tear bags completely open for easier big lump hunting.

Thanks
Texhead
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  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
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    I've got 2 big plastic tubs, I think they're 20 gallons ea. One for big pieces, on for all the rest. Between the 2, they hold about 30 pounds.
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  • AlwaysGolf
    AlwaysGolf Posts: 704
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    Try a large plastic rubbermaid trash can or a galvanized aluminum/steel one.
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  • TheDirtyBurger
    TheDirtyBurger Posts: 846
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    I use small sterilite tote containers
    I have 1 small one for my wood chunks and 1 small one for my "gooduns", aka large pieces of charcoal I use at the bottom of a lump pile

    I also have 1 huge sterilite container for my charcoal. It holds about 1.5 20lb bags, so I empty it, open a new bag and fill the egg, then put the rest and another bag in the container. I let them sit on my deck all year long, no moisture, no problems. Just look for cracks from the plastic getting brittle and hit when you move them around.
    tim
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  • Bacchus
    Bacchus Posts: 6,019
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    On a side note, I have done lo/slo with not one piece of lump bigger than a golf ball and most about the size of a marble. The last I did 2 cooks, for a total more than 24hrs on the same load of lump. :P
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,753
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    just so you know, some of us just open the bag and drop the lump into the egg ;) i made a lump grate that has more holes for better airflow, others lifted the grate a quarter inch increasing the airflow, you really dont need to search out bigger chunks of lump imho
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,753
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    yep
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • fiddlesticks
    fiddlesticks Posts: 7
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    Interesting. Do you have a suggestion for how to raise the grate 1/4 inch? I have a medium.

    FS
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,753
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    someone probably has a pick, i believe the easiest way was to use a bolt and nut with a washer big enough to over hang the circumfrance in three places. the grate was now sitting higher on the washers
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • fiddlesticks
    fiddlesticks Posts: 7
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    Thanks - I'll give that a try.
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  • Angela
    Angela Posts: 543
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    we have 3 5 gallon buckets we use for large, medium and small
    Egging on two larges + 36" Blackstone griddle
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  • Woody69
    Woody69 Posts: 360
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    Me too. I have never stacked,sorted, or even thought about arranging a perfect pile of lump. Dump and light is all I do. I have done several overnight cooks with no failures. I have used a wiggle rod a time or two when the temp seemed to drop a little, but that's it.
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  • Dave in So Cal
    Dave in So Cal Posts: 603
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    I am from the dump the lump from the bag into the egg school. Therefore, I store my unused lump in the bag. Right now I have a 3/4 bag full stuffed in the cabinet on my gasser. ;)

    My complaint with plastic storage bins is that they get brittle and crack after a few years of being outside. If you can find a galvanized steel can with a cover, you might have a nice solution.
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  • SteveinTN
    SteveinTN Posts: 232
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    i just dump and go also....
    but i do like these storage units. i find they are easier to deal with and dump the lump ongoing. i use three inside the cabinet.


    cd440b0e.jpg
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  • Texhead
    Texhead Posts: 49
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    Thanks for all the good ideas. I will be trying some this weekend.

    BTW, I am ignoring all you people who just dump charcoal. I have to do something to make it look like that good food coming off the egg took some skill on my part.

    Texhead
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  • ckcgnfshn
    ckcgnfshn Posts: 21
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    I use the dog food containers called "Vittles Vault"

    http://www.petco.com/product/9799/Gamma-Vittles-Vault-Stackables.aspx

    They are great. I can put a whole bag of Lump Coal in one and it is completely water and bug proof. I also use them for my wood chunks. I also have one for soaking my wood before smoking.

    They come if a variety of sizes and shapes.
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