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Does Lump Charcoal Go "Bad" Over Time..

Rascal
Rascal Posts: 3,923
in EggHead Forum
I have a few bags of RO lump that have been in the back of my pickup (under cover) for well over a year.  Anyone think I can still cook with it?  Can I tell with a "sniff" test before igniting it, or only afterwards?  The bags are unopened, but have traveled from the bitter cold of New England winters to the sultry summers of Florida! Any clues on this?
TIA,  Rascal
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Comments

  • LRW
    LRW Posts: 198
    I would use it and not even think twice about it.

    Volant, PA 1 LBGE ,Smokeware Cap, igrill2
    My Foodtography


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  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,629
    Light it up!!!
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
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  • shtgunal3
    shtgunal3 Posts: 6,134
    Burn it!

    In the egg of course.

    ___________________________________

     

     LBGE,SBGE, and a Mini makes three......Sweet home Alabama........ Stay thirsty my friends .

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    what is there to go bad? It is essentially 100% carbon - nothing organic in there. I have a stash yet of Ozark Oak that I bought at least 11 years ago which I use exclusively for baking cakes. If lump went bad - which it doesn't - then my cakes would surely pick up any off taste. You're fine!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    Fire that Mutha up man....
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • johnnyp
    johnnyp Posts: 3,932
    It will work just fine.
    XL & MM BGE, 36" Blackstone - Newport News, VA
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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    What's the "use by" date on the bag?

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • CanadianAnvil
    CanadianAnvil Posts: 226
    The most that is wrong is its smashed into smaller pieces. It could have picked up some moisture from the air but that will be driven off the fist time you light it. 

    Steve
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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    If you need help with disposal, pm me. 
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  • DaveRichardson
    DaveRichardson Posts: 2,324
    It might have adsorbed some exhaust gasses, but it'll burn off with the other VOC's. 

    Just be sure it can pass the hand smell test before you toss on the proteins. 

    LBGE since 2014

    Griffin, GA 

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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    If you send me a couple bags, I'll test them and report back as to the viability of the third bag.
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  • stlcharcoal
    stlcharcoal Posts: 4,759
    Charcoal is the oldest manufactured product known to man.  Archeologists have found it in caves and in the presence of cave drawings.  No other way for it to get in there.  And yes, it still burns.  They have also found it in Amazonian soils as to make "terra preta"--no other way for it to get tilled into the earth like that.  And it was still doing wonders for the soil.  It's an indestructible product***

    If it gets wet, their could be issued starting it, but just let it sit in the sun and no issues.

    ***That guarantee does not extend to WalMart employees.
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    stlcharcoal said:
    Charcoal is the oldest manufactured product known to man.  Archeologists have found it in caves and in the presence of cave drawings.  No other way for it to get in there.  And yes, it still burns.  They have also found it in Amazonian soils as to make "terra preta"--no other way for it to get tilled into the earth like that.  And it was still doing wonders for the soil.  It's an indestructible product***

    If it gets wet, their could be issued starting it, but just let it sit in the sun and no issues.

    ***That guarantee does not extend to WalMart employees.
    See you in Nola Jonathan. 
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  • DaveRichardson
    DaveRichardson Posts: 2,324
    And to think, that Wally World "Associate" wants $15.00 an hour to destroy things!

    LBGE since 2014

    Griffin, GA 

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    DaveRichardson said:
    And to think, that Wally World "Associate" wants $15.00 an hour to destroy things!
    Huh??? were you not raised during the era that very loser received a trophy even if they hadn't seen the ball since kick off? 
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Answer to the op, no.  Diamonds similarly don't go bad. Carbon.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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  • Fred19Flintstone
    Fred19Flintstone Posts: 8,174
    theyolksonyou said:
    If you need help with disposal, pm me. 
    Jason, I was thinking the same thing!
    Flint, Michigan
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