Frontier Lump

SmokingPiney

I picked up a bag about a month ago just to try it out. It had some nice large pieces, lit easily, and burned clean with no acrid smell. I bought another bag last week and it was terrible - the smoke never cleared and it smelled bad. 

Did I get a bad bag, or are there consistency issues with this lump? The first bag was great. 

WeberWho

Your first bag must have been a spoof!  I don't know many that like Frontier. (Not a fan myself. Way too smokey) The price is right but that's about it....

Legume

yeah, first bag sounds like an anomaly.

labels identical?

SmokingPiney

Identical labels..................lesson learned. 

I'm ditching the Frontier. Thanks, folks!

piney

A lump expert I'm not, I like RO for some cooks Rockwood, Wicked Good, etc for others however, I have zero use for Frontier. I have found it to be just as you said way to smokey and too many sparks.

eggrock

Have used many bags of Frontier. All good with great consistency. You MUST make sure the bag says "Made in USA". The foreign made Frontier stuff is crap!!

SmokingPiney

I'll have to look at the bags and check the origins.

JohnH12

I got some last year from BJ's and it works just fine.
At $19.00 for 34 pounds it was a decent deal too.

SmokingPiney

JohnH12 said:

I got some last year from BJ's and it works just fine.
At $19.00 for 34 pounds it was a decent deal too.

That's where I bought mine. It's a great price. 

fishlessman

doesnt smell good at start up but i have no problems cooking with it, been using it for the last month or so in the little kub, both low and slows and high temp searing

SmokingPiney

I have another bag unopened. I think I'll see what it does.

Wowens

I bought a 20lb bag at Sams for $10, and really liked it, BUT later bags I bought were very smokey.  I think they have some consistancy problems. 

Reading here, you get very mixed reviews, it's like a surprise in every box.  I loved the $10 price tag.

SmokingPiney

The nasty lump was made in Mexico. The first bag I tried was USA made and my unopened bag is USA. The bags look identical unless you check the origin on the back. I'll try the USA bag next cook. If it pans out, I'll be going to BJ's and stocking up for the winter. 

SouthernEggStill

If the information that I have is correct.  Royal Oak purchased the plant that produces the Frontier brand and will phase it out.  The Frontier brand will be Mexico only produced.  So if you find the USA made Frontier, buy while you can.

SmokingPiney

@SouthernEggStill  - Thanks for the info!