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Hi All!

Normy
Normy Posts: 26
in EggHead Forum
In January, my wife bought be a Large Egg for my birthday.  As you all well know, it was life changing and I now cook on it about 4 or 5 days a week.

So, for the past 5 months I've spent an insane amount of time lurking(and learning) on this forum.  I truly cannot imagine how long it would have taken me to learn all of the things necessary for proper Egg-usage had it not been for the advice, ideas, recipes, and cooking strategies that all of you offer here.  Thank you!

One of these days I'll figure out how to upload pics and try to contribute to the forum.  I'm not the most tech savvy person.

Anyway, I figured it was time to create a login and join you fine people!  

While I'm at it, I have a question.  It seems like Rockwood is a very beloved charcoal amongst you all.  So far, I've just been using the Royal Oak that I can get at my local Home Depot(i refuse to pay for that crazy price for the BGE charcoal).  I've been happy with the Royal Oak, but the praise that Rockwood has gotten intrigues me.  I'm looking to make a purchase from firecraft, and obviously want to take advantage of the free shipping if I spend $100.  Should I just buy 5 bags of Rockwood, or is there another charcoal that I should check out as well? Thanks in advance for any opinions!

Hope you all had a great 4th!

Ewing, NJ
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Comments

  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited July 2014
    Welcome aboard. 1st post :-).
    There are several lump brands to try. Obviously buying local is preferred. I use WGWW (Wicked Good Weekend Warrior) and love it. Others will say OO (Ozark Oak).Many more to choose from but, ultimately it comes down to personal preference and availability.
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • DaveRichardson
    DaveRichardson Posts: 2,324
    I've been happy with Royal Oak. It does take a while to burn off the VOC's for a quick grilling, but no problems with low and slows.

    LBGE since 2014

    Griffin, GA 

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  • HDumptyEsq
    HDumptyEsq Posts: 1,095
    Welcome to the forum.
    I vote for Rockwood and Wicked Good, I participated in a small way to a couple of group buys and it's been great. Keep a look out for some that might come up in your area.

    Tony in Brentwood, TN.

    Medium BGE, New Braunfels off-set smoker, 3-burner Charbroiler gasser, mainly used for Eggcessory  storage, old electric upright now used for Amaz-N-Smoker.

    "I like cooking with wine - sometimes I put it in the food." - W. C. Fields

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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    I am gonna say Rockwood & Ozark Oak. Nothing at all wrong with Wicked Good. I have burned a few bags of it. Rockwood has to be my favorite out of the 3.

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • Normy
    Normy Posts: 26
    Is the difference in charcoal quality between Royal Oak($12) and Rockwood($20) worth the price differential?
    Ewing, NJ
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  • HDumptyEsq
    HDumptyEsq Posts: 1,095
    I've used both and don't buy Royal Oak any more. Rockwood burns clean and long. I've cooked 4 times this long weekend (no low and slows) and topped it up once. Very little ash.

    Tony in Brentwood, TN.

    Medium BGE, New Braunfels off-set smoker, 3-burner Charbroiler gasser, mainly used for Eggcessory  storage, old electric upright now used for Amaz-N-Smoker.

    "I like cooking with wine - sometimes I put it in the food." - W. C. Fields

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  • bo31210
    bo31210 Posts: 715
    I have used WGWW BGE RO and Rockwood and see others I won't name because imo they aren't worthy of mentioning. Rockwood hands down is the best to me Quick start, constant Temps, long burning, and little ash Great charcoal and as long as I can get it I will continue
    In the middle of Georgia!    Geaux Tigers!!!!!
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    edited July 2014
    Normy said:

    Is the difference in charcoal quality between Royal Oak($12) and Rockwood($20) worth the price differential?

    Whether it's worth it or not is entirely up to you. As with many things, try a few different brands, go with the one you like best for whatever your reason may be.

    Always a decent idea to with what is easily available to you. For some that's whatever the dealer has, @henapple blowing through your town with a trailer full of OO, Rockwood from firecraft , RO from HD, pallet/group buy from Rockwood, Fogo from Amazon, etc.

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    Oh, and welcome to the zoo! :)

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,989
    @‌Normy
    Welcome aboard my friend. Glad to have you here among us. Enjoy the egg and again welcome.

    Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

    Status- Standing by.

    The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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  • hapster
    hapster Posts: 7,503
    Welcome! My vote would be for either Rockwood and Ozark... Make your first buy at Firecraft a mix and see how you like them.
    MSV Chill Spot
    Chester County, PA

    http://egginwithedward.blogspot.com/

    http://edwardhardingphotography.zenfolio.com/
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  • johnmitchell
    johnmitchell Posts: 7,366
    Welcome..Use the Forum..Such a great and knowledgeable bunch of folks..Happy Egging..
    Greensboro North Carolina
    When in doubt Accelerate....
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  • Wolfpack
    Wolfpack Posts: 3,552
    Naked whiz has reviews of the Humphrey's and dragons breath. They have pretty good reviews as well- I haven't tried so no experience but the rockwood is really good.
    Greensboro, NC
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,766
    edited July 2014
    Welcome to the party Normy!

    footnote: folks, PLEASE don't turn this into another flame war  
    :D=))
    canuckland
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  • tksmoke
    tksmoke Posts: 776

    @Normy - Welcome aboard this crazy train!  As you can see, you nailed one of the hot buttons here.  Good charcoal is in the eye of the beholder.  I would say there are a few top tier lumps: Ozark Oak, Rockwood, Wicked Green, and Fogo.  As far as I can tell, Fogo is only available at Amazon, but with free shipping (Prime membership), and their good packaging, online is a serious advantage in locations where the others aren't available.  In this BBQ wasteland of SoCal, I've never been able to try OO, RW, or WG, so can't really comment on those.  I can say that I like Fogo better than Royal Oak, even though RO is readily available at HD.  When I'm down to my last 2 bags of Fogo, I'll order more.  The pricing on Fogo varies more than the NYSE - I bought my last few 35 lb bags at $28 in April, it's at $43 now.  I would still buy it at $45 if I was out.  I use RO, and have a pile on hand.  It isn't bad.  The main thing is to get cooking - don't be overly concerned about the lump.

    Enjoy!!!

    Santa Paula, CA
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