Cowboy Lump at Costco (Ohio)

TheBrewerMoose

Yesterday I stumbled upon a pallet of 34# bags of Cowboy lump for $29.99 at the Strongsville Costco.  It's the first time I've ever come across lump at Costco up here in Ohio (I've been to one in Charlotte and it had it though).  Seems like a decent price.

Just throwin' it out there!

Eggaroo

Nice start to a Friday thread! I'll pass. 

JohnnyTarheel

Sometimes when it sounds to good to be true .... it is.......

YukonRon

Center cut?

pgprescott

I thought Costco was selective? Huh. 

lousubcap

That is a top shelf price for some low-level lump.  But it all burns.  
@YukonRon -  you may be on to the processing that has run up the cost

MCRyan

I struggled through a bag that I bought from Costco here in North Tx.   A lot of small pebble sized pieces and powder.  Not a good experience, but maybe a fluke?

YukonRon

That price seems a bit high to me, for Cowboy. I am sure it all burns, however the burn might be the purchaser of the Cowboy lump, not the lump itself.

WeberWho

MCRyan said:

I struggled through a bag that I bought from Costco here in North Tx.   A lot of small pebble sized pieces and powder.  Not a good experience, but maybe a fluke?

Some here don't mind Cowboy but I'd say majority is a pass. I've bought a couple bags myself and don't enjoy it. Heavy unpleasant smoke flavor. I like my lump more neutral. If I want to add smoke I'd rather pick the flavor profile of it rather than the heavy obnoxious smoke Cowboy kicks out. 

The_Stache

TheBrewerMoose said:

Yesterday I stumbled upon a pallet of 34# bags of Cowboy lump for $29.99 at the Strongsville Costco.  It's the first time I've ever come across lump at Costco up here in Ohio (I've been to one in Charlotte and it had it though).  Seems like a decent price.

Just throwin' it out there!

If it was $29.99 for the whole pallet it's a heck of a deal... go for it!

TheBrewerMoose

oh yeah, I forgot we're suppose to avoid lump topics... my bad.  I'm not afraid of the Lump Nazis!!!   ::)

On a related topic, they are pushing these Treager pellet smokers hard (they always have a supply of the pellets).  Anyone have one or know someone who does?  My egg is cracked in half and I'm thinking it's gonna die this summer so I guess I'm in the market.  Gotta keep my options open.

lousubcap

@TheBrewerMoose - based on your cracked BGE comment I'm guessing yours is not covered by warranty??  If it is then you can get the cracked pieces replaced at no cost.    

scdaf

I really enjoy my pellet grill, one-touch fire start and push button temp control.  Had mine for years before I got a ceramic cooker.  Love both. 


If you get a Green Mountain Grill full size grill, there's now a stainless pizza oven insert which fits right over the firebox, I've had my stone at 898 degrees when it was 20 degrees outside, pizza cooked in less than 2 minutes. 

pgprescott

TheBrewerMoose said:

oh yeah, I forgot we're suppose to avoid lump topics... my bad.  I'm not afraid of the Lump Nazis!!!   ::)

On a related topic, they are pushing these Treager pellet smokers hard (they always have a supply of the pellets).  Anyone have one or know someone who does?  My egg is cracked in half and I'm thinking it's gonna die this summer so I guess I'm in the market.  Gotta keep my options open.

Traeger does a good job with BBQ cooks and with the grill grates added you can sear adequately. Lacks the versatility of a Kamado, but what cooker doesn't. Make sure you get a digital controller and stay clear of the renegade they sell on the infomercial. It's a step down from the pro series. 

Get your egg fixed either way. 

Killit_and_Grillit

I'll let you know when it comes back to my Costco, but I'm almost positive it was $18-20 a bag last summer for the big bag.  That sounds high to me.

Fred19Flintstone

I saw this a week or so ago at our Wally World and thought it was $13.50 too high.

Smokin_Trout

That lump comes from the horse the cowboy rides. 

TheBrewerMoose

lousubcap yeah, I picked it up a long time ago with the table and accessories for $500. 

Fred19Flintstone I don't think that's the 34 lb bag, I can't read it on the side of the bag but the big 34 lb-er is pretty big and a little square.

Teefus

I'm on my third bag of the BGE charcoal that came with my Egg and have been really happy. There's not enough savings to be gained with the Cowboy stuff for me to roll the dice. I'll grab some Royal Oak if I can't get BGE.

yljkt

Good idea, no BGE available get Royal oak. 

Tony_T

But….. Is it "Blade Tenderized?"  

Fred19Flintstone

BGE  lump is made by Royal Oak.  Keep some cash in your pocket and avoid the mark-up.  Buy Royal Oak lump.  It's the same stuff and costs less.

MickeyD

Go to your local Gordon Food Service store.  Their GFS labeled lump is also packed by Royal.  Great price too..

Teefus

Just picked up a 15# bag of Royal Oak at Wally World. $7. Seemed like a good deal.

JohnnyTarheel

Teefus said:

Just picked up a 15# bag of Royal Oak at Wally World. $7. Seemed like a good deal.

I got 5 of these for $7 as well in NC

Killit_and_Grillit

@TheBrewerMoose I told you I would follow up on this...my wife went to Costco today. Finally came in. $19.99 for the 34# bag. 

If you go go back to your Costco you may want to talk to a manager about doing a price match on their Franklin, TN location. 

I highly doubt it costs them an additional 50% markup to get it through KY. 

yumdinger

Curious if anyone has actually grilled with this product yet?

I am not a fan of the regular cowboy we typically see in stores.  I am curious if this is better or different form the standard cowboy.

I am curious because Costco usually doesn't carry bad products.  This stuff is currently $19 for 34 lbs in Minnesota.

I am tempted to try it but hoping for some real life reviews first.

nlovold

I have no complaints about the $19.99 34# bag of Cowboy lump I got in Indianapolis Costco.  It really wasn't bad at all- didn't have the nasty smoke that took forever to clear like I remembered.

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

If you have never tried cowboy before I'd suggest splitting a bag with a "buddy". Unless the 2 bags I got were a fluke this stuff is terrible to say the least. Burned 1 fire from each bag and threw the rest away. Never again.

TheBrewerMoose

I'm about half way through my bag. Here are my comments:
- tiny pieces throughout, which isn't a huge problem just changes the way I build my fire. 
- it smokes a lot. I mean a lot..  unless you have a hot bed of coals it's chasing your guests off the patio. 
- it's a big bag, like too big. Maybe it's why all the pieces are crumbled. 
- I bought a couple of prime ribeyes and in building my fire I found a decent sized chunk. (Yay, right?). But it looked like it had a little wood left in it, not full charcoal yet, but I threw it in anyways. Then I start to see black smoke. So I open it up and pull that one piece out with tongs and it's a knot of pine. PINE. It smelled great after I tossed it into the fire pit but this isn't like a chunk of clay of a nail.., this would've ruined $40 of steak and that is unacceptable.

 My son in law is taking the one unopened bag back to Costco and I'll have to inspect everything now or I might just toss it.  Bottom line: I do not recommend Cowboy brand lump. 

StillH2OEgger

I am always willing to try something new, but especially considering how efficient the BGE is with fuel I don't mind paying a little more for better lump.