All kidding and razzing aside what do you have against Royal Oak?

Legume

Like Obama said, "If you like your lump charcoal brand, you'll be able to keep your lump charcoal brand"

um, except for you OO fans.

Ladeback69

DieselkW said:

Because of this thread, and yes I'm blaming you all, I bought two bags of Royal Oak on sale, $0.70/lb.

They might as well rename it Royal Smoke. I've been using better lump for so long, I'd forgotten how inferior this stuff really is.

This is a picture during warm up, about 150f dome:

How long did it take to clear up or did it?

Davekatz

I have no problem with RO/BGE/Naturewood or whatever they label it - cheap and available. I prefer Wicked Good and/or Forrest Lumps when I can find it, but I am not a picky man.

Begger

These days my beef with RO centers around the small overall / average size of the 'lump'.     The bags are ALL perfect looking without wrinkles, even, in the store.
My first bag of BGE lump was perfect.   My 3 subsequent bags of RO not so much.   I even found a couple chunks of ceramic and have seen some 'under charred' wood go by.