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Rockwood Lump Review

weekender
weekender Posts: 61
edited November 2014 in EggHead Forum

I know there are other reviews about Rockwood, but wanted to add one more.

A week ago I bought a couple of bags of Rockwood lump from Ace Hardware in Cartersville, GA and tonight I finally had a chance to try it out.  To make sure that I gave the best review I ensured that I did not have any other lump in my egg.  I cleaned out my large egg by burning out the last of my Big Green Egg lump after my last cook.  I then completely removed all the ash with a vacuum, and reassembled the egg.  Tonight I loaded with Rockwood lump and chose Cedar Plank Salmon as my first test cook since I made this a week or so ago and could easily compare. 

The Rockwood lump had very good size pieces and I actually had to find some smaller pieces to fill in a few of the gaps in my egg.  I put 1 Big Green Egg starter into the center of the new Rockwood lump and lit it.  The Rockwood lit well and within 8 - 10 minutes I was ready to close the dome and let the egg get up to temp.  Within another 10 minutes the egg was up to 400 so I started to adjust the lower vent and daisy wheel to hold the temp.  The temp held steady and honestly was ready to cook on, but I let it go another 10 minutes just to make sure everything was stable and that any VOC's were gone.  There was very minimal smoke or smell where the other lumps I have tried have had a distinct smell.     The only thing I did notice with Rockwood is that once it got up to around 350 - 400 it did pop a little and I could see the small sparks at the bottom vent. The sparks/pops did not last long however. 

For the cook it came out great and I could only taste the cedar plank flavor and the seasonings I put on the fillets, no other flavors.  Glad I bought this Rockwood lump and plan to use it quite often.  The only other lump I want to try is Ozark Oak.

Advantages/Positves of Rockwood:

  1. Very good size pieces in the bag
  2. No foreign objects found in lump so far 
  3. Very neutral flavor
  4. Low smoke level/odor
  5. Gets to temp quickly
  6. Lit easily with starter cube

Disadvantages/Negatives:

  1. Slight popping/sparking

I can honestly say that the other post touting Rockwood are right on!  Great lump and I highly recommend!!

Northwest GA, Large BGE (w/Nest), Plate Setter

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Comments

  • chappy319
    chappy319 Posts: 50
    Only thing I use
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  • XC242
    XC242 Posts: 1,208
    Thank s for taking the time to post your findings. Nicely done.
    LBGE (still waitin' for my free T-Shirt), DIgiQ DX2 (In Blue, cause it's the fastest), Heavy Duty Kick Ash Basket, Mc Farland, WI. :glasses:  B)
    If it wasn't for my BGE I'd have no use for my backyard...
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  • DaveRichardson
    DaveRichardson Posts: 2,324
    Agree 100%. OO is also next on my list!

    LBGE since 2014

    Griffin, GA 

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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    Thanks for the review. I'm currently trying my first bag of Rockwood. Tonight was the second cook, but I'm sure there's still Ozark Oak mixed in. I use a chimney for starting and it seems to take off easier than the OO, other than that I really can't say much. Definitely give OO a try, I like it a lot.
    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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  • TigerTony
    TigerTony Posts: 1,078
    Great review @weekender ! I look forward to your OO review.
    I use them both. Expensive though. When I'm a cheapo I buy Royal Oak.
    "I'm stupidest when I try to be funny" 
    New Orleans

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  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    @TigerTony‌ ..come to salado and I'll hook you up with some OO.
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
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  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,234
    Rockwood is all I use. The only thing I might add to your review is that I have found the extra 10 minutes you gave it to make sure that any VOC's were gone is not necessary in my opinion. 

    Rockwood is good to go almost immediately!  

    Great Review! 

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
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  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Been using Rockwood for 10+ months...never a problem.  I started out with BGE (2 bags when I bought my XL). Then I have tried several (cowboy, Frontier, etc)...no comparison to the Rockwood....great stuff.

    Gop Rockwood.

    BRING JIC BACK !!

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    Just pulled a butt off after 14 hours burn time with Rockwood. Not sure how much is left, but I'm sure there is plenty. The lump was just dumped in the egg. The pieces were pretty big chunks compared to other brands. I'm a dumper not a stacker, so the large pieces work great. @weekender, I also experienced popping, not that big of deal. Responds very good to vent changes. Although this is my 1st bag, I think OO burns cleaner. With OO I have to actually go outside to look into the starter chimney to see if it's burning. The Rockwood is easier to light compared to OO. Overall I like it.
    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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  • Acorn
    Acorn Posts: 163
    I also get my Rockwood from intown Ace. Great product. 
    Atlanta, GA  - LBGE -
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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Hey Donnie, since we live close, where do you get your Rockwood?  I've been wanting to try both Rockwood and Ozark Oak, but haven't found any.  Keep going back to BGE.  All the local stuff I have tried will have to be saved for burgers and dogs.  Won't burn hot or long.  Wouldn't want to live in the city, but having to drive 60 miles for most anything can be annoying.

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Same here on the driving. I have been getting it in Lexington. If you want some, I can pick some up for you, no problem.  I love the stuff. It is the best I have used so far.

    I have been buying 5 bags at a time. (20lb bags = $20 each)



    For me.....45 minutes to Louisville, 45 minutes to Florence........

    How close do you live to the golf course?

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    edited November 2014
    Okay, I'll finally give up my lurker status on this thread.

    My local BGE dealer handles both BGE lump and Nature-Glo ... which I understand is the same thing as Royal Oak with different packaging.  BGE was on sale this week-end for $25 and Nature-Glo is always $18 for 20 lbs.

    Wanted to see what else was available in the area, so started surfing.  My son buys Royal Oak from the local Menards when it's on sale ... less than $6 for an 8.8 lb bag.  Discovered that Walmart lists it online at $6.58 per 8.8 lb bag with free pickup.  That's about $15 for the normal 20 lb bag.

    So, am I missing something or is Menards and Walmart Royal Oak lump an acceptable product?

    Sorry to add Royal Oak to the Rockwood review thread ... had it in my head that the big box store stuff was Rockwood lump when I posted.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Actually, the back end of our farm is just across the road from the start of the golf course property.  We are just about a mile before you get to the little town of Wheatley, where you turn into the golf course.  Coming from Carrollton, we are just past the Wheatley cemetery on the right (Part of it came from our farm). Live in the big OLD brick farm house where the road makes a 90 deg. turn and starts downhill.  And I am needing to get to Lexington for some repair parts I need here on the farm.  Maybe I could make a lump run while there.

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Jeepster47..hopefully someone can help you with that question...I've never use RO.

    @FARMERTOM...Yep, I know right about where you are.  We'll have to get together and have a Eggfest for your family/neighbors !!!!!! 

    I'll make a call to Lexington to see what's available, and get back with you....

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


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  • jcaspary
    jcaspary Posts: 1,479
    @jeepster47 I've used it before and hated it.  Cowboy brand was even worse.  Others like the price and availability but I can't get past the fact that there is a lot of dust and very small chips.  On top of that it burns up a lot faster.   If price is a concern buy it and use it.   If not spend a couple extra bucks and use others.  I've switched to Rockwood and won't look back.  May try Ozark Oak.  The lack of aggravation that I get from better lump is worth way more to me than a couple of bucks. 
    XL BGE, LG BGE, and a hunger to grill everything in sight!!!
    Joe- Strongsville, OH
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  • SGH
    SGH Posts: 28,891
    @weekender‌- Good write up my friend. I noticed that you and a few other folks have noticed some popping and sparking with RW. I have burned about 200 pounds of it thus far and have not had this issue. I wonder is it due to where the particular wood in a specific batch comes from. All other findings seem the same. Neutral taste and smell, long burn time etc etc..... At any rate, glad you enjoy the RW.

    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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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,210
    Rock wood or Fogo. Can't go wrong!
    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • Ragtop99
    Ragtop99 Posts: 1,570
    I get some sparking / popping when first lighting fresh lump in a chimney. Once it's in the egg, I've not had any issue searing at 500 - 650*. Rockwood is a very neutral charcoal and lights easily. I like it better than anything else I've used including RO. RO works pretty well if that is easy to get.
    Cooking on an XL and Medium in Bethesda, MD.
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  • weekender
    weekender Posts: 61
    SGH said:
    @weekender‌- Good write up my friend. I noticed that you and a few other folks have noticed some popping and sparking with RW. I have burned about 200 pounds of it thus far and have not had this issue. I wonder is it due to where the particular wood in a specific batch comes from. All other findings seem the same. Neutral taste and smell, long burn time etc etc..... At any rate, glad you enjoy the RW.

    After the first couple burns I have not had any more issues with popping and sparking.  May have just been one of the pieces in the bag causing the problem.  I do enjoy the RW.

    Northwest GA, Large BGE (w/Nest), Plate Setter

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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    stemc33 said:
    Just pulled a butt off after 14 hours burn time with Rockwood. Not sure how much is left, but I'm sure there is plenty. The lump was just dumped in the egg. The pieces were pretty big chunks compared to other brands. I'm a dumper not a stacker, so the large pieces work great. @weekender, I also experienced popping, not that big of deal. Responds very good to vent changes. Although this is my 1st bag, I think OO burns cleaner. With OO I have to actually go outside to look into the starter chimney to see if it's burning. The Rockwood is easier to light compared to OO. Overall I like it.

    It's kind of odd that I'm quoting my own post, but I wanted to post a picture of the Rockwood left over from the cook above. I've never had this much lump after 14hrs of burn time. Not only was the firebox full(originally at the top of fire ring), but look at the size of the lump that was left over. Amazing
    image
    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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  • stemc33
    stemc33 Posts: 3,567
    .
    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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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Can't wait to try my Rockwood.  Have only cooked some burgers since getting it and am using up my other lump on short cooks.  That picture is amazing.

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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