Frontier Lump Question

pattikake

Hi Everyone,

I read the reviews on Froniter Lump on Naked Whiz it was done in 2007 has it gotten better? Does anybody use it? It was 12.00 for a 40lb bag at Sams. Thank you everyone in advance. Any feedback would be helpful.

See you in OKC.

Patti
Wichita, KS

The Naked Whiz

I bought a bag of the new stuff. It was better than the old, I'd say fairly confidently. I haven't reviewed it, so I can't really say how much better. It's on my calendar to be reviewed I hope some time in May. Give it a try.

Judy's Egg

Just bought a bag of Frontier for the first time. So far so good. I usually use Cowboy, but I tried Ono last and hated it. Lots of crap, small pieces, lots of ash and my wife didn't like the flavor it produced. The Frontier is mostly large chunks, lights quickly, low ash and no complaints about the flavor.

texasAUtiger

I got a bag of frontier at sam's (loved the price) and have cooked with it twice. It seems to work just like the others, so I will likely get several more bags next trip since it is much cheaper than the 10 or 20 lb bags I normally pick up at the HEB (TX grocery store).

Willie Lump Lump

I have used Frontier from the Ace two blocks from my house. The reason I tried it was the very clear labeling on it that said MADE IN USA. My results where pretty good. It wasn't sparky and the smell was OK. Burn time was average. Plus the price is good at $11.80 for twenty pounds.
Now for part B: I have seen Frontier sold at Lowe's that did not have any country of origin label. I wouldn't know if it's the same stuff as at my ACE but I'm guessing not. If you buy this stuff your mileage may vary.
TTFN WLL

Spring Chicken

I used some for the second time tonight. Both times it sparked like crazy when using my Mapp Torch to light it, even with the torch head well down into the lump. Some sparks shot out pretty far. I'll probably use a different method of lighting it next time.

It also smoked heavily and smelled pretty strong starting up but the smell went away after about 15 minutes. It actually smelled like coal and I noticed a few pieces even looked like coal. I'm not saying it 'was' coal but it sure looked and smelled like it. I'll check closer on my next cook. Even so, it didn't seem to alter the flavor of the Spatchcocked chicken.

So far I can't say I like or dislike it. I actually prefer to stick with a brand that I can get year round, therefore Royal Oak at Walmart or Big Green Egg. Sam's Club may not have it next time I visit there.

Spring "There's Some Black Stuff On My Charcoal" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

LoneStarEgg

On my second bag. Seems to work well.

SmokyArkie

I am currently using a bag of Frontier lump that I bought at Sams. The lump is unusually big but fits in the BGE without any problems. The bag is marked Made in Mexico.

I have two issues with it. First it takes longer to light than other lump that I have used. Second it smokes heavily and the smoke does not smell like the hardwood charcoals that I know. The smoke is sort of bitter almost "industrial". So I let it burn and burn until the smoke lessens. Of course the BGE wants to raise its temp in the meantime and I am faced with trying to ease the heat down into a suitable cooking range.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Clavin

Yeah, I did, too.

Bought it because at $15 for 40 lbs, it was a lot cheaper than what I was using. Didn't like that it was Made in Mexico.

The chunks (at least on top) were huge compared to Royal Oak.

I felt like I was building a campfire rather than lighting charcoal, the pieces were so big.

Seemed to light okay for me, but my wife noticed right away that it smelled different. More chemical-ly. Took forever for the white smoke to go clear.

Held its temp fine....maybe too well. Got my first (and second) experience of a flashback, while I was burping the Egg. Singed my arm hair pretty good, scared my wife, excited my 8 year old.

Other than that, I had no problems. Seemed okay for such a cheap price.

But I will stick to "Made in the USA" products for my own peace of mind from now on.

SmokyArkie

Yes the price caught my eye so I bought a bag and wrestled it home. I like your campfire analogy, you could make a campfire with some of the lumps/limbs.

My wife's first comments when I fired up the BGE using Frontier lump were the amount of smoke and the funny smell. After a few minutes I had to agree with her. I think I will go back to Royal Oak or Ozark. They are more expensive but seem to be a better lump. The Ozark comes in a 10 pound bag and runs around $6 locally but it is good lump made right here in Arkansas.

Clavin

I like the Ozark Oak too. The dealer threw in a bag when I bought the Egg (Elliots Hardware, Plano, Tx... great store!)

I think its about $8/10lbs, so a lot more cha-ching.

It will take a long time to go through that 40lb bag of Frontier.

Clavin

I wonder if Frontier has two different brands.

Mine was definitely Made in Mexico and cost $14.99 for 40lbs.

$12/20lbs is still a good price.