BGE charcoal basket opinions

coooltroy

In order to better utilize the poor lump quality (small chunks) what are the best "baskets" to replace the standard fire grate?

EGGjlmh

Try Hi Que fire grate, I love mine.

coooltroy

@EGGjlmh so you find it works much better with the small chunk bottom bag stuff and "leftover" small chunk than the standard fire grate?

EGGjlmh

Yes, it does work "better"  However, the smaller pieces are still a pain in my opinion.  But still burns better with the hi que than the factory BGE fire grate

coooltroy

Good info.  I have a basket which is supposed to help with this and you can reach in and pull it out by the handles and remove the coal much easier.  I have been throwing out the bottom 15-20% of my bags because its all fine coal and even trash!

SmokeyPitt

Something like a high-que grate will actually let more of the small pieces fall through.  That is necessary though, because they just clog the standard grate and block the airflow. 

Unfortunately small pieces are just waste IMO.  I dump the lump in a bin and pick out what looks descent, and the dust and gravel size pieces get tossed into the woods. 

Jstroke

I have to admit. I just dump it in and put the burner to it. No trouble. I don't waste a thing. It either burns or falls through.

coooltroy

@SmokeyPitt I agree, I throw out 20% or more, depending on brand.  Lazzari seems to have way less small waste than anything else I have used.  BGE brand was so bad I was stunned, trash and huge rocks, so much for what the sales guy said, way better than cheaper royal oak.  Royal oak has a lot of waste but I haven't found trash and softball size rocks!!  Im going to buy basket or better grate, cause I can see the hot spot/uneven heat and slow burn with the small stuff, blocks the airflow.  The BGE needs all the airflow to work evenly to maintain even heat distribution.

coooltroy

Im in CA and can't seem to get the best stuff because of insane EPA state regs.

DMW

coooltroy said:

Im in CA and can't seem to get the best stuff because of insane EPA state regs.

This one isn't an EPA issue. EPA is Federal, it's all on the state regs.  

BYS1981

coooltroy said:

Im in CA and can't seem to get the best stuff because of insane EPA state regs.

That's not true, kamado joe lump and wicked good are available in ca

coooltroy

@DMW sorry, CAEPA http://www.calepa.ca.gov and CA air resources board to be more specific :-).  I want to buy lump from @stlcharcoal but CA won't allow it.

DaveRichardson

The the Cali EPD - Environ Protection Devision - a state agency.  Some companies don't want to deal with all the Prop 65 BS that Cali requires.

Best suggestion for Cali folks.....  ROADTRIP to NV, AZ, or Oregon and stuck up a carload of some stuff you haven't tried before and give it a whirl!!!!

coooltroy

@BYS1981 wicked good had old bag pieces and more trash than BGE.  I only bought one bag.  And the bag fell apart!  Maybe will try one more bag from another source to see.  Clearly you had a better experience.  Never tried or have I seen Kamado joe lump.

coooltroy

@DaveRichardson that is the 5th suggestion I have been given in 24hrs!  Lol.  CA is amazing to live in, but some policies are WHACKED OUT!

coooltroy

I wish I would have taken pictures of the wicked good lump, worst I have seen BY FAR!

DaveRichardson

@cooltroy - my wife has to deal with the Cali EPD for pesticides and wood preservatives with the jobs she's had in the past....  Just dealing with them is a FULL TIME JOB!  Better you than me living there, because I don't think I could deal with the garbage!!!!

Carolina Q

Can't help ya with an alternative grate. I've had my OEM for six years now. Works just fine. Mostly with everyone's favorite, ROYAL OAK.

I did buy half a pallet of WG once. Good size pieces throughout. Good stuff, hardly any crap in the bags. Long burning, not smokey. 

BYS1981

I haven't used WGWW since about a year, my local Ace only orders KJ which I'm fine with.  WGWW used to be my go to lump, but their quality dipped and then went back up - allegedly 

coooltroy

@BYS1981 could have been one horrible bag... I will get another and see, maybe its much improved.

Carolina Q

BYS1981 said:

I haven't used WGWW since about a year, my local Ace only orders KJ which I'm fine with.  WGWW used to be my go to lump, but their quality dipped and then went back up - allegedly 

Yeah, it's been a while for me. I didn't experience the rumored quality issues. Not even convinced there WERE issues. I live about 30 miles from their distribution center and, last I checked, i could get it for about $13-14 per bag. But I don't like having to buy or store so much all at once. Last I checked, it was a ridiculous $24-25 a bag in a local store. That's as bad as Rockwood. No way I'm paying that. So, I just swing by HD and pick up a couple of bags of RO from time to time.

coooltroy

@Carolina Q 100% the best value bag is the RO.  Used by most pro bbq comp teams too.  But for quality of sizable lump I think Lazzari has been by far the best (can't use in chute style smokers like Assassins because its so big), but the most expensive I have found by far also.

Begger

coooltroy said:

Good info.  I have a basket which is supposed to help with this and you can reach in and pull it out by the handles and remove the coal much easier.  I have been throwing out the bottom 15-20% of my bags because its all fine coal and even trash!

I'm SAVING the trash from EACH BAG of Royal Oak.   When I accumulate enough of it, I'll send it off and demand a like weight of Charcoal.   It won't be long now!

Acn

DMW said:

coooltroy said:

Im in CA and can't seem to get the best stuff because of insane EPA state regs.

This one isn't an EPA issue. EPA is Federal, it's all on the state regs.  

And it was a voter initiative so you can't even blame the state legislature.