Anyone had experience with the lump charcoal from HEB or Academy's?

jgonzaleshou

Howdy all,

Just acquired a BGE XL and I'm looking to see if anyone has any experience with HEB brand (either the Central Market brand or regular HEB brand)? They also carry B&B brand but that seems kind of cheap. I saw that Academy's carries the B&B brand as well. 

I saw that Sam's Club has a Best of the West brand. I picked up a small bag of Best of the West from Ace the other day and it seemed to be pretty decent for the price. 

Any input is greatly appreciated! 

Thanks. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

CM is great. It's 100% mesquite. Best of the west is also 100% mesquite and so it's actually way better for the money. I buy it at Sam's for $14.99 for 40 lbs! It's the same or better than CM at half the price. If you use mesquite, use best of the west. It's the best deal on lump I've ever seen and I use it exclusively (for the past year and a half). 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I don't love B&B. IT's 100% oak which is good (they have a 100% mesquite in yellow bags too but the red bags are oak). I have found it very hard to light and crazy sparky when it gets going. The last few bags I tried were full of dust and small pieces so I stopped using it. It's been a year or more so things might have changed but I had way better luck with CM brand and now Best of The West.

tmexploring

Hi jgonzaleshou, 

I've tried the Central Market mesquite lump and was pleased with the price and quality. I'm on my second bag of Original Charcoal Company Rancher lump. I found the Rancher in 35 lb. bags at Costco (in Central Texas) for a great price. On the bottom of the bag it says made in Mexico. I plan to alternate/mix with HEBs Central Market mesquite because of price, availability and quality.

Hope this helps.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Hi jgonzaleshou, 

I've tried the Central Market mesquite lump and was pleased with the price and quality. I'm on my second bag of Original Charcoal Company Rancher lump. I found the Rancher in 35 lb. bags at Costco (in Central Texas) for a great price. On the bottom of the bag it says made in Mexico. I plan to alternate/mix with HEBs Central Market mesquite because of price, availability and quality.

Hope this helps.

That lump from Costco is good too. I've used it to cook for a party and was very please for the price. I believe it is around $16 for 35lb

tmexploring

Hi Cen-Tex Smoker,

Concerning Rancher lump, I couldn't determine the type of charcoal from reading the bag or looking at the contents. I noticed a lot of limb wood charcoal in my bags. Do you know if they are using mesquite or maybe a mix of tropical woods?

Thanks.

Griffin

The Central market mesquite lump is good...if you don't like mesquite, though, don't get it. I've been using the B&B brand quite a bit lately. Its cheap, and unlike Cen-Tex results, I've been getting quite big pieces out of it, some almost too big. It does spark a bit, but what doesn't when you are using a weed burner to light it?

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Hi Cen-Tex Smoker,

Concerning Rancher lump, I couldn't determine the type of charcoal from reading the bag or looking at the contents. I noticed a lot of limb wood charcoal in my bags. Do you know if they are using mesquite or maybe a mix of tropical woods?

Thanks.

I have not used that one so I won't be much help. I'm sure someone on here has used it and can chime in.

travisstrick

The central market lump is all I've been buying. It's very good and has very little dust or little pieces. It recently went on sale for $10.37 for 20lbs.

cssmd27

Hi Cen-Tex Smoker,

Concerning Rancher lump, I couldn't determine the type of charcoal from reading the bag or looking at the contents. I noticed a lot of limb wood charcoal in my bags. Do you know if they are using mesquite or maybe a mix of tropical woods?

Thanks.

I asked this question to the company both by phone message and email with no response. I'm almost certain it's not mesquite as that has a very distinct smell (not good IMO, but that's just my preference). Why don't you try and contact them and see if they answere?

I know last year's OCC lump at Costco was from Argentina and I loved it. This year's is still good and I love it for the price. The Rancher designation is confusing because traditionally OCC has only sold briquettes under this moniker, but this is obviously lump.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Sorry. Didn't realize that the rancher lump Was the Costco lump. I just remembered it being the original charcoal co. The one i used was mixed hardwoods but they make a 100% mesquite as well. I only used it . Once and thought it was ok. Cooked for a party and my buddy had a bag so we used it. I like Best of the Eest better. It thought it was good quality for the money.

NibbleMeThis

RE:  B&B at Academy - I got a bag a few months ago and would not buy it again.  Very sparky, even after the Egg was stable.  But I have seen others say they like it, not for me.

I did use Rancher 3 years ago and it reminded me of Kingsford Charwood that was out a few years ago.  Sparky on start up but did okay once the Egg got stable.  Lighting it in a chimney for an offset smoker was like fireworks, lol.  I considered Rancher as okay to use if I can't get Royal Oak packaged brands, but not my favorite.  I always assumed it was South American but didn't know for sure.

cssmd27

I always assumed it was South American but didn't know for sure.

I'm getting the impression that their sources change every season, so if you find some you like, you better buy a lot because next year it may be totally different.