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Charcoal briquettes

War_Eagle_2244
War_Eagle_2244 Posts: 122
in EggHead Forum
Just curious if anyone has ever used regular charcoal briquettes in their egg and what the experience/results were like.  I’ve had my large for about 3 years and have been thinking about trying it out just to see how the flavor of the food is compared to lump.  Obviously wouldn’t use any lighter fluid and I know I would have to clean out the ashes when finished but that’s what the shop vac is for!  Any other reasons why this may be a bad idea for the egg?  I’ve also heard briquettes produce a better smoke ring.  How long of a burn can you get out of briquettes at about 250-275 in the egg?  Lots of questions…maybe I should just do it already! 
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Comments

  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    I'd be interested in hearing about your results, but I'm done with briquettes. I've never tried them in a quality cooker like the BGE, but the bad experiences I've had in the past prevents me from even messing with them. Good luck.
    Steven
    Mini Max with Woo stone combo, LBGE, iGrill 2, Plate Setter, 
    two cotton pot holders to handle PS
    Banner, Wyoming
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    edited July 2014
    There's no weird BGE alchemy that turns burning briquettes into an industrial accident in Bhopal.  I've used briquettes before and it's the same formula - get good smoke, the quality of the fuel won't change.  You do have more ash, and you can't get as hot, but there's no damage to the ceramics and if you use high quality briquettes, you get the same quality BBQ you'll get if you use those in a WSM or whatever "inferior" grill (tongue in cheek). 
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,989
    @War_Eagle_2244‌
    It won't hurt a thing. I have done it in a pinch more than once. I have also mixed several briquettes in with the lump when cooking goat and clod. The only two draw backs to using briquettes in my opinion is the excessive ash and you cant run quite as hot either with them. Short of that they are fine. Briquettes when burning clean usually impart a taste that most folks find to be very palatable. Look around any sanctioned event and you will see far more competitors burning briquettes than you will see burning lump. I bring up this point only to demonstrate that briquettes impart a good taste. If they produced a off taste at all you would not see anyone that was competing using them. All the above being said let me point out that I feel lump is a much better choice in the ceramic cookers. Why? First it responds faster to vent adjustments and this is huge in my opinion. Second it burns hotter if the need arises. Third it produces less ash. Fourth when cooking for extended hours with briquettes only in the ceramic cookers they can ultimately choke themselves out due to excessive ash build up. Again you won't hurt anything by using them though. Hope this helps. And as always please remember that the above is just my personal findings and results. Yours as well as others results may differ.

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

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    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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  • Redskull
    Redskull Posts: 55
    You get more ash because there is more trash in briquettes, sawdust, binders and other chemicals that make them up.  Briquettes are made from pulverized lump charcoal and the fillers mentioned above.  I just got my LBGE for Fathers Day, but I have'nt use briquettes or lighter fluid in 6 years or so whether using my Tejas Smoker or my Circle-J open pit grill.  I agree, briquettes will not damage your BGE, but what a waste.  There is a definite difference in the taste of your food using lump charcoal vs briquettes.  I personally prefer the taste of lump.
    MESQUITE, TEXAS - LBGE, Tejas Smoker, Circle-J 24" open pit grill, indoor & outdoor cooking, beer, camping, more beer & cooking...
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  • odie91
    odie91 Posts: 541
    edited July 2014
    Trader Joes briquettes is almost strictly what i use for my small (I use lump for the large though). Consistent size, easy to light, cheap ($7 for 18lb), and not concerned with ash since my small cooks are at 350 and pretty fast. The only binder they have is corn starch. No other filler
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  • Redskull
    Redskull Posts: 55
    I do agree odie91.  I have used Stubb's all natural briquettes when i do dutch oven cooking on my Circle-J open pit.
    MESQUITE, TEXAS - LBGE, Tejas Smoker, Circle-J 24" open pit grill, indoor & outdoor cooking, beer, camping, more beer & cooking...
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    Some briquettes contain sodium nitrates. These will contribute to the smoke ring.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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