Charcoal options UK

jpd1066

Relatively new to the Egg game having hankered after one forever.

Have had good fun smoking salmon, brisket, cooking steaks, roasts, cake, pizza... You name it. The oven is well and truly redundant.

Would welcome some help on charcoal though - I've tried Big K restaurant lumpwood and ProQ cocoshell.

The Big K coal was messy when delivered and didn't cope at all well with the damp weather in the UK when left in the Egg.

I really like the ProQ cocoshell as it is small, compact but it's disintegrating during and after the cook. I cleared over 1kg of black dust after 2 cooks - which is highly expensive waste of coal.

I'm sure there will be lots of different views on charcoal but... Can anyone help me with some UK recommendations? What do you use and why?

Thanks!

Eoin

My standard now is Alderline. Completely neutral with no dirty smoke, so takes no time to start cooking from lighting and the only smoke is what you add.

jpd1066

Thank Eoin - some reviews suggest it burns hot & fast, even on an Egg. Do you find you can get it low enough for smoking?

nolaegghead

Perhaps the charred husks remaining of the royal family's dignity would suffice to power a few low-n-slows?

Or not. (not really paying attention to any of it)

Eoin

jpd1066 said:

Thank Eoin - some reviews suggest it burns hot & fast, even on an Egg. Do you find you can get it low enough for smoking?

My XL was at 230F all afternoon Sunday. I've run it lower than that before as well. If you're having trouble holding low temps, check dome alignment, seal and that the lower vent fits tight.

nolaegghead

Eoin said:

jpd1066 said:

Thank Eoin - some reviews suggest it burns hot & fast, even on an Egg. Do you find you can get it low enough for smoking?

My XL was at 230F all afternoon Sunday. I've run it lower than that before as well. If you're having trouble holding low temps, check dome alignment, seal and that the lower vent fits tight.

Good advice.  Air/oxygen is the limiting reagent.  The ability of the redundant (fuel/lump) to burn hot is irrelevant in that context. (insert Oprah joke here)

Stormbringer

jpd1066 said:

Relatively new to the Egg game having hankered after one forever.

Have had good fun smoking salmon, brisket, cooking steaks, roasts, cake, pizza... You name it. The oven is well and truly redundant.

Would welcome some help on charcoal though - I've tried Big K restaurant lumpwood and ProQ cocoshell.

The Big K coal was messy when delivered and didn't cope at all well with the damp weather in the UK when left in the Egg.

I really like the ProQ cocoshell as it is small, compact but it's disintegrating during and after the cook. I cleared over 1kg of black dust after 2 cooks - which is highly expensive waste of coal.

I'm sure there will be lots of different views on charcoal but... Can anyone help me with some UK recommendations? What do you use and why?

Thanks!

Welcome from a fellow UK Egger! I use Green Olive charcoal all the time. They sometimes have insane 50% off deals, and I buy up a pallet load that lasts for over a year. Helps that I have dry, outside storage. Feel free to check out my food blog in my bio link below. 

jpd1066

Thanks!
I've got a bag of Green Olive on order and will try Alderline next time.

Such a minefield of choices it's great to have some advice.

jpd1066

Following back up on this one - have found the Green Olive charcoal to be fantastic. Burns well, good price in bulk and the bags leave no trail of charcoal dust everywhere (looking at you BigK).

Any recommendations for places to buy wood chunks? Looks like £20 for 25l is the best price online - welcome any ideas.

Thanks!

Stormbringer

jpd1066 said:

Following back up on this one - have found the Green Olive charcoal to be fantastic. Burns well, good price in bulk and the bags leave no trail of charcoal dust everywhere (looking at you BigK).

Any recommendations for places to buy wood chunks? Looks like £20 for 25l is the best price online - welcome any ideas.

Thanks!

I've had pretty much all of the Grilling Wood range from Amazon, they are all decent. I use cherry quite a bit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BKJO0KU/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thcosdi08-21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01BKJO0KU&linkId=108f791f59e106fcdfa85422eabfeae3

Langner91

I love reading this thread.  My "inner voice" reads it in the Queen's English.  It's sorta like Downton Abbey, only interesting!

jpd1066

@Langner91 - one is deeply obliged to provide you with some Great British expositions on the theme of grilled culinary experiences...

@Stormbringer - Arfur J Shanks. I'll be Babblin' Brook the Trouble And Strife some nice smoked Joe Blake!