Rockwood. Still the undisputed king.

SGH · July 2016

For the past several months I have seen some negative comments about Rockwood. Everything from its size, quality and price. I waited until today to respond for the simple reason being that the bag I opened today will officially put me over 3,000 pounds of Rockwood that I have burned to date.
With that said, I have yet to encounter any of the problems mentioned by others. Every bag has been as clean as a whistle. All the pieces in the medium to large size. Most being large. Almost zero shake or dust.
For the record, I have no affiliation with Rockwood other than being a user of their product. Maybe I have just found favor among the Lump Gods. Who knows.
Here are some pics of the bag I opened today. These are not hand picked for the pics. This is how all 3,000 pounds of Rockwood that I have used to date has looked. I used both the mini and my very large hands as a back drop for a true size comparison.

I have yet to encounter an off taste or putrid smell with Rockwood. This is something that I can not say about any other brand. The single exception being Ozark Oak which has sadly gone the way of the buffalo.
For the record, I'm not trying to convert anyone to Rockwood. Just stating what I have experienced through 3,000 pounds of their product.

A note on the above text:
I have used Rockwood in BGE's, Kamado Joe's, reverse flow offsets, reverse flow cabinets, single stage offsets, direct fired units, back fired pits and open top steel pits. The results have been impressive no matter the type of unit used. Just thought I would share my thoughts and findings my friends. I'm looking forward to the next 3,000 pounds.

Eggdicted_Dawgfan · July 2016

I think I am going to try a different ace hardware for my rockwood. I picked up a bag yesterday (maybe 30th bag total) and it was pretty beat up. Still burns fine for me but there is always a bit of dust and small pieces in the bags and not many large ones. I've never seen a bag of rockwood with that many large pieces as I see in your bag. That being said I've never felt the need to look elsewhere for a different brand of lump.

tarheelmatt · July 2016

Rockwood is certainly one of the best Scottie.

Big_Green_Craig · July 2016

Rockwood is definitely a great product. Try some Fogo some time. Here's a piece I randomly pulled out of a bag recently. All pieces resemble the same quality of Rockwood. Just in case you ever feel like experimenting.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/10/5t2l0ngczrs8.jpg

DieselkW · July 2016

I like Rockwood, although I cannot say I've burned a ton and a half in the last 7 months, I cook dinner every day between April and October. I cook lunch 2 times a week as well. I make dessert when I have Rockwood, I don't trust much else with flour based foods - they soak up smoke flavors like a sponge.

I tried Kamado Joe lump for the first time while they were at the Costco road show and was very impressed at 40 lbs. for $30

Not so impressed I'm willing to pay their "usual" mail order price, I use Rockwood until I'm out of Rockwood, when I have to dip into my Royal Smoke backup until I can replenish my stash.

Mattman3969 · July 2016

You speak the truth Mr SGH

THEBuckeye · July 2016

How did you keep track?

nolaegghead · July 2016

So you've burned 2700 pounds of Rockwood in the past 13 months? That's just amazing! 7 pounds average each and every day for 13 months!!! And nary a rock!!! (but why do they call it "rockwood" then?

SGH Posts: 21,041

June 2015

cook861 said:

Im not a lump expert on lump but that is alfull up here in the GWN i like the maple lump i can get up here and that a lot of rocks for that amount of lump

Brother in the 300 pounds of Rockwood and the 100 pounds of Ozark Oak that I have burned to date, I can tell you with God as my witness that I never found 1 rock. Not 1 my friend. This ended all doubt in my mind about the lump debate. With Ozark Oak sadly gone, Rockwood now stands alone and unchallenged at the top of the mountain. I could have dealt with the rocks, but that medicine smell was sickening.

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

Status- Standing by.

Arsenal-Just a small wore out and broken down Weber kettle. No other means to cook at all.

Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit

yljkt · July 2016

Yeah, this isn't gonna end well.....

SGH · July 2016

Big_Green_Craig said:

Rockwood is definitely a great product. Try some Fogo some time.

Brother I don't think that we have Fogo down here. But if I ever see it, I will certainly give it a try.

bhedges1987 · July 2016

I enjoy rock wood. My pieces are definently not like that though. However, I don't care what size my lump is. I'll stack a few bigger pieces on the bottom and then dump the bag.

NPHuskerFL · July 2016

I have no idea how much RW I've consumed.

I'm fortunate in having it available locally & usually split close to a pallet with a buddy out here in the RiverCity (hmu when your ready @Dobie ). That said I have no complaints only compliments. Solid Quality product and Johnathan @stlcharcoal is nothing short of awesome to work with.

Ladeback69 · July 2016

Remember, Jonathan aka @stlcharcoal not only makes and sells Rockwood he uses it as well so he is going to work to keep up such great standards on his product. I posted a video on here a while back on how they make it. It was pretty informative.

johnnyp · July 2016

I've always had good luck with RW as well.

DoubleEgger · July 2016

Big_Green_Craig said:

Rockwood is definitely a great product. Try some Fogo some time. Here's a piece I randomly pulled out of a bag recently. All pieces resemble the same quality of Rockwood. Just in case you ever feel like experimenting.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd be pissed if that were in my bag.

HeavyG · July 2016

I've only used about 40 pounds of Rockwood (and have about 50 pounds on the shelf). Seems fine but I didn't notice that the distribution of sizes was any better than the Royal Oak I'm lucky to get in my area.

I've never had a problem with nasty smoke from the Royal Oak I've used. Haven't seen any rocks in my Royal Oak in at least a couple of years.

Just picked up 4 bags of Kamado Joe Restaurant Grade lump at the local Roadshow last week but haven't even opened it yet.

If one really likes having really big pieces I know more than a couple people that swear by Fogo. Never used it myself.

pgprescott · July 2016

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

nolaegghead · July 2016

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

pgprescott · July 2016

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

I don't.

Tony_T · July 2016

3rd bag -> lot of small pieces and a **** load of dust.
(I'm hoping bag 4 is back to quality)

Smoker317 · July 2016

Nice SGH, the lump gods do favor you, I have burned maybe 500 pounds of Rock Wood and have found multiple rocks. I guess I don't really care, I just pitch them into my rock garden. I like rockwood and is great on price, but I do average 1 half of a golf ball size to a golf ball size rock per (guessing) every 3-4 bags. I have only used a few bags of the green egg lump and found rocks in it. LOL... The rock gods must think they are doing me a favor... LOL.

HeavyG · July 2016

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

Which charcoal meets those criteria? Just curious.

nolaegghead · July 2016

pgprescott said:

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

I don't.

Good, because then you would be no better than...umm...damn, can't think of their name, big retailer...hmmmm....

nolaegghead · July 2016

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

Which charcoal meets those criteria? Just curious.

It was a hypothetical question to get people to think, but an alibaba search turned up this stuff for $0.26 lb and it HAS NO SMOLE!!!!

barbecue hardwood lump charcoal no spark no smell no smole

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/barbecue-hardwood-lump-charcoal-no-spark_60480697347.html?spm=a2700.7906341.35.1.YuoXsB&s=p

and this

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/100-Natural-Lump-Hardwood-Charcoal-for_50030391238.html?spm=a2700.7906341.35.1.YuoXsB

And my assumption is China - terrible on human rights and environment, might be from hardwood cut from a rainforest somewhere. Who knows. But you should know and care.

pgprescott · July 2016

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

I don't.

Good, because then you would be no better than...umm...damn, can't think of their name, big retailer...hmmmm....

We try to be the anti "those people". Won't sell the masses, and don't attempt to do so. We are pretty selective about who we partner with. Not saying we're perfect by any means, but we do try.

HeavyG · July 2016

nolaegghead said:

HeavyG said:

nolaegghead said:

pgprescott said:

Being a small business, I would add another perspective, spending my money with businesses like Jonathan's makes me feel better. Any chance I get to patronize These types of businesses, I do it. It's a big bonus that the charcoal is awesome too. Great people and great product. The ever elusive Win - Win!!!

If you could wholesale buy equal quality charcoal for much much less money, but from a country with irresponsible environmental policies and a piss poor human rights legacy, even though you could make a lot of money, would you buy it?

Which charcoal meets those criteria? Just curious.

It was a hypothetical question to get people to think, but an alibaba search turned up this stuff for $0.26 lb and it HAS NO SMOLE!!!!
barbecue hardwood lump charcoal no spark no smell no smole

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/barbecue-hardwood-lump-charcoal-no-spark_60480697347.html?spm=a2700.7906341.35.1.YuoXsB&s=p

and this

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/100-Natural-Lump-Hardwood-Charcoal-for_50030391238.html?spm=a2700.7906341.35.1.YuoXsB

And my assumption is China - terrible on human rights and environment, might be from hardwood cut from a rainforest somewhere. Who knows. But you should know and care.

Actually, the "no smole" stuff might be rather eco-friendly. It appears that they are taking industrial/manufacturing byproduct and using that to make a useful product rather than just throwing it away.

Doubt you'll find many rocks in a bag of that extruded product.

flyerdoc · July 2016

OK, new place to check for lump, Ace Hardware...I'll see if I can score some Rockwood as I've never had opportunity to use it. Its a bit like handloading powders for ammo. There is often intense debate over the best, cleanest, hottest, slowest, fastest etc And, of course, charcoal is an ingredient of gunpowder, sooooooo

Lit · July 2016

flyerdoc said:

OK, new place to check for lump, Ace Hardware...I'll see if I can score some Rockwood as I've never had opportunity to use it. Its a bit like handloading powders for ammo. There is often intense debate over the best, cleanest, hottest, slowest, fastest etc And, of course, charcoal is an ingredient of gunpowder, sooooooo

You will have plenty of dust to make ammo with.

XC242 · July 2016

I love Rockwood!!

Mattman3969 · July 2016

Lit said:

flyerdoc said:

OK, new place to check for lump, Ace Hardware...I'll see if I can score some Rockwood as I've never had opportunity to use it. Its a bit like handloading powders for ammo. There is often intense debate over the best, cleanest, hottest, slowest, fastest etc And, of course, charcoal is an ingredient of gunpowder, sooooooo

You will have plenty of dust to make ammo with.

Coming from somebody that if I recall correctly has used 1 bag and gave 1 away and generally only post to start ****. Seriously ???

Sorry @sgh for the hijack but you know as well as I do that lit starts **** on every thread that mentions RW.

Lit · July 2016

Mattman3969 said:

Lit said:

flyerdoc said:

OK, new place to check for lump, Ace Hardware...I'll see if I can score some Rockwood as I've never had opportunity to use it. Its a bit like handloading powders for ammo. There is often intense debate over the best, cleanest, hottest, slowest, fastest etc And, of course, charcoal is an ingredient of gunpowder, sooooooo

You will have plenty of dust to make ammo with.

Coming from somebody that if I recall correctly has used 1 bag and gave 1 away and generally only post to start ****. Seriously ???

Sorry @sgh for the hijack but you know as well as I do that lit starts **** on every thread that mentions RW.

Actually think I'm up to 3 bags now. I have not gotten a bag that looks like the one SGH pictured and as others stated above they have not either. Not sure why I can't post my experience especially when I don't think I was being overly harsh.

Rockwood. Still the undisputed king.

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barbecue hardwood lump charcoal no spark no smell no smole

barbecue hardwood lump charcoal no spark no smell no smole

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