Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

Lump Charcoal

LadyGT
LadyGT Posts: 109
in EggHead Forum

I am new to using the BGE. What types of charcoal should I be using?  We purchased 2 bags of BGE charcoal when we bought the egg but we are almost out. 

What brands are recommended for the BGE and where do you suggest I purchase it?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Where are you located? 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Pick up some Rockwood at your local Ace
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eggerty
    Eggerty Posts: 220
    Hi @LadyGT! You will get a wide variety of responses depending on your price range. I would say collectively Rockwood is highly recommended. I would search on the mothership website and look for the distributors in your area and see what they carry. 

    Many personal preference is:
    rockwood
    wicked good weekend warrior
    Maybe bge lumo

    i can get the first two readily so I am pretty limited in my lump experience. But moving to either WW or Rockwood will be a lot different than bge lump. Less ash and a more neutral taste.  

    Just my opinions! Happy EGGing!
    LBGE - Nov/'14
    A Texan residing in Denver, CO.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Check out the naked whiz site nakewhiz .com lump review and decide what you want to try. Tried to post the link 4 EFFIN times, but EFFIN vanilla keeps eating my EFFIN post 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawg Fan
    Hawg Fan Posts: 1,517
    Welcome to the forum!  A lot of members will chime in on this post because lump is a hotly debated topic.  Rockwood and Ozark Oak are favorites and are only available locally unless you order from Firecraft.com.   OO just went out of business in Arkansas.  Royal Oak makes BGE lump and is available at Walmart and Home Depot.  There's a lot of opinions about RO  on this forum.  Your best bet is to find a lump locally that suits your taste and budget.  There are suppliers in just about every region that manufacture a good lump at an affordable price.

    Any road will take you there if you don't know where you're going.

    Terry

    Rockwall, TX
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,791
    A lump discussion is like religion here-with the proverbial opinions.  I would not worry about the brand but go with what works for you.  Many espouse a certain church w/o experiencing another opportunity.  @Hawg_Fan has the right approach.  FWIW-In reality the BGE does't care.
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MeTed
    MeTed Posts: 800
    I love my Royal Oak from Home Depot.
    Belleville, Michigan

    Just burnin lump in Sumpter
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • g37
    g37 Posts: 450
    Royal oak  is on sale at home depot 9.88. Good stuff. 
    Ewa Beach, Hawaii
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MeTed
    MeTed Posts: 800
    Thanks @g37!
    Belleville, Michigan

    Just burnin lump in Sumpter
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
    And there's nothing wrong with the BGE lump.  Maybe a bit expensive but it's never hurt me cook wise.   That said I just bought 4 bags of RO at that Home Depot sale.  Looking forward to experimenting with different lump.
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SmyrnaGA
    SmyrnaGA Posts: 438
    Stay away from cowboy!  But if you must try it first hand, get the small bag...

    Large BGE, Small BGE, KJ Jr, and a Cracked Vision Kub.

    in Smyrna GA.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    edited March 2015
    swordsmn said:
    And there's nothing wrong with the BGE lump.  Maybe a bit expensive but it's never hurt me cook wise.   That said I just bought 4 bags of RO at that Home Depot sale.  Looking forward to experimenting with different lump.
    If you can cook on BGE lump, you can cook on RO.  B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bethg212
    bethg212 Posts: 45
    We use Royal Oak.  Home Depot had the 17lb bag for $9.88 today.
    Beth
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChillyWillis
    ChillyWillis Posts: 893
    Rockwood and Wicked Good are both fantastic top of the line lumps. BGE and Royal Oak are both decent options, if you can't find either of those first two. 

    Most importantly, never use Cowboy..... If you ever see it run far far away. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 19,172
    edited March 2015
    If GT is Georgia Tech and you happen to live in the metro, then head over to your local ACE hardware and pick up some Rockwood. Great neutral burn. Most highly regarded brand out there now. 

    Go to firecraft's website and buy 4 bags to get free shipping if you don't live close enough to get it locally. You won't regret it. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blassiter
    Blassiter Posts: 195
    Agree with Rockwood. Used BGE brand until today and used Rockwood for first time. Was easier to light than I expected and food had a really good flavor. Glad I made the move from BGE brand. 

    LBGE - 2/12/2015

    Chesapeake, VA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Begger
    Begger Posts: 607
    Doesnt' Royal Oak REBAG for BGE?    If so, that's my first choice.  for now.
    It is about 35% the price of the BGE 'rebrand'.    And in my VERY limited experience, the flavor profile of the BGE charcoal is quite nice.   

    I WILL experiment later, maybe with the stuff up at the Costco.  
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chowman
    Chowman Posts: 159
    Has anyone tried Frontier from SAMs club? Naked whiz testing recommended it if the bag says its made in USA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chowman
    Chowman Posts: 159
    @MeTed I can't find that HD sale in Michigan ! Can you?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tridogdude
    tridogdude Posts: 137
    Going to give Royal Oak a try. Home Depot here in AK just started carrying it and it's cheaper than what I pay for Hasty Bake from Amazon. 
    Started out using BGE brand but it is $35 for a 20lb bag locally. Not a lot of choices locally so the folks at HD are gonna crap when I buy the only pallet they have. 

    Would be interested in what folks say about what @Chowman asks about Frontier as we do have a Sams Club. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    edited March 2015
    I've never used Frontier or even seen it in stores, but it appears that Ace Hardware carries it. $15.99 for 20 lbs, online anyway, don't know about stores. Don't see it mentioned much around here. 

    I don't see Rockwood listed at acehardware.com. Interesting that you guys are saying that they sell it in stores. 

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    Carolina Q said:
    I don't see Rockwood listed at acehardware.com. Interesting that you guys are saying that they sell it in stores. 
    It's only in certain stores, mainly the southeast US and Gulf Coast states.  Nothing in CT.....sorry.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mtbguy
    mtbguy Posts: 299
    Started with BGE worked good. The tried Weekend warrior worked great less ash and nice size pieces. Now onto the Rockwood this stuff rocks. I have two bags of Ozark Oak won't matter good or bad, can't get anymore. So far looks like the guys here know what they are talking about. Rockwood will probably be my choice. Easy to get and better price than the others. Fire craft.com rocks.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawg Fan
    Hawg Fan Posts: 1,517
    edited March 2015
    Chowman said:
    Has anyone tried Frontier from SAMs club? Naked whiz testing recommended it if the bag says its made in USA
    I tried the Best of the West mesquite charcoal from SAMs and it was fine for grilling hamburgers, I wouldn't recommend it for pork or poultry IMHO.  I've never seen Frontier at our local store.

    Any road will take you there if you don't know where you're going.

    Terry

    Rockwall, TX
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • blind99
    blind99 Posts: 4,974
    Try a bag of every kind you can find!

    i like fogo. Amazon prime carries it. 
    Chicago, IL - Large and Small BGE - Weber Gasser and Kettle
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Begger
    Begger Posts: 607
    Any word on the Lazzari Mesquite?
    Local Costco has a 40lb bag for 16$ which is .40$ per lb.   
    The Royal Oak on sale at HD ran about .56$ per lb, which is STILL much better than BGE brand.  
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AUCE
    AUCE Posts: 890
    Well.....having gone through several brands Rockwood is hands down my fav...and Mommas too. Very neutral so whatever chunk wood you add is the flavor you get. No competing with the lump smokiness. Not wanting a smokey flav. Then a neutral lump is the way to go. Still get the the charcoal flavs. Without the smokiness.

    I would much rather be able to say I was glad I did than wished I had........

    XL owner and purveyor of pallette perfection...

    Homosassa....Mecca of Florida

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cookinbob
    Cookinbob Posts: 1,691
    MeTed said:
    I love my Royal Oak from Home Depot.
    +1. No complaints and can't beat the price. I've tried others and did not like them any better
    XLBGE, Small BGE, Homebrew and Guitars
    Rochester, NY
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MeTed
    MeTed Posts: 800
    @Chowman no I have not found that price at the two home depot stores by me. Hopefully soon.
    Belleville, Michigan

    Just burnin lump in Sumpter
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sundown
    Sundown Posts: 2,980
    For you Wicked Good users, try their new blend. It's called Jake's Blend and it a lot like the old Competition Blend from a few years ago.

    It's a little difficult to light if your are a first time user but, it burns long, really hot if you want, and doesn't leave any smokey aroma.

    I'm on my third bag now and headed out to pick up half a dozen bags for the spring.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories