Bad Bag of BGE Charcoal?

ar3 · November 2009

It seems like my current bag of BGE charcoal has an extra amount of dust and small bits. I have 1/2 to 1/3 of the bag left, and when I pour new charcoal in the egg, maybe 3/4 of the pieces are smaller than my palm and a cloud of dust kicks up.

I have never paid much attention to the charcoal before b/c everything seemed to work find. But I've noticed I have been having a hard time getting the temps up and after checking everything else I think the lump is to blame.

Am I crazy? Has this happened to anyone else? I'm wondering b/c, like I said, I have never really paid close attention to the lump before.

Thanks!

RU Eggsperienced · November 2009

Just happens sometimes. I have had that happen not only w/BGE lump but other brands that are generally good too. Fortunately it doesn't happen that often.

Smokey · November 2009

I try to pick bags that do not look like they have been handled much. That cuts down on pieces breaking.

Mainegg · November 2009

the palm of you hand is not to bad

when they are smaller than an egg then there are more problems. I have had a bag or two here and there from all different lump companies that has had more than it's fair share of small stuff. but there has to be bags at the bottom of the pallet and that is a lot of weight. I have a fry basket that I got at a restaurant supply store and when I have a bag of smaller stuff or the bottom of the bag I dump it in there and sift it. dusty but takes care of the little stuff and I use that in my mini.

Sundown · November 2009

Never thought of a fry basket! I have a piece of fine mesh netting I've used for a while. I spread the dust and tiny pieces on the garden. Noticed the damned day lilies have grown and spread more than the others in the yard cause I always put the dust in the same garden. Doh!

I sort all of that small stuff (thumbnail sized and up) and when I do along cook I finish off the pile of lump with the nuggets.

Mostly Wicked Good stuff is so big I have to break it down for the mini.

ar3 must have gotten one of the odd bags that is from the bottom of the pile.

ar3 · November 2009

Thanks! I will get a fresh bag of lump and see if I can find some larger pieces to get a hotter fire. I've certainly tried everything else that has been mentioned in the forum re: hot temps...and it can't be user error!!

Sundown · November 2009

I have never paid much attention to the charcoal before b/c everything seemed to work find. But I've noticed I have been having a hard time getting the temps up and after checking everything else I think the lump is to blame.

Once in a while your lump can get damp then the fun begins make sure you keep your lump in a water tight container inside if you can.

The other thing that could be holding your temps back is some if the holes in the grate in the bottom of the fire box could be clogged with some of that small stuff you're talking about. hope some of this helps.

ar3 · November 2009

I have made sure to keep all the parts in the correct spot and the holes free of charcoal. But I keep my charcoal covered outside in a non-airtight hard plastic bin. I also keep my egg uncovered and exposed to the elements.

Maybe my problems are that (1) the used charcoal gets damp when it's sitting in the egg in the Oregon rain and (2) some moisture is getting through my bin to the unused charcoal.

I will get my egg covered and my charcoal indoors and see what happens. I thought my new and old lump was mostly dry, but I suppose there could be a big difference between 'mostly dry' and 'dry'. Good advice.

SmokinGuitarPlayer · November 2009

Little known fact is that certain brands and grades of lump charcoal are "screened" before bagging to eliminate the dust and small pieces. If your dealer actually uses any of the stuff, they might be able to tell you which ones are screened.

Smokin' in GA · November 2009

I think it's funny when you go to fill up the egg with lump and a block of ceramic comes out of the bag. :laugh:

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead · November 2009

I try to do this too...Sometimes it doesn't work out though.
I think some bags get a rough ride before they get to my place.

BobS · November 2009

I have only visited one lump factory and they had screens in place. Even at that, I get some bags with a lot more dust and fines than others, because of what happens during shipping and handling.

I like to put my lump in a large, covered, plastic box and give it a couple of shakes before I use it.

I do not really keep track, but every so often, I dump the fines and start over.

The Naked Whiz · November 2009

All bags of charcoal are going to have larger pieces on top and the smaller pieces on the bottom. When I review a charcoal, I consider pieces smaller than a golf ball to be "small". Pieces smaller than the palm of your hand are not all that small or unusual and to be expected. I sould consider half a bag of pieces smaller than a golf ball to be unusual and undesirable. Also, needless to say, all the dust is going to be in the bottom of the bag.

Getting a hot fire is a function of the amount of charcoal and the airflow. Unless your charcoal is damp, I doubt that the charcoal itself is the problem. Look for changes in the airflow, perhaps caused by not stirring the old charcoal, or simply using too much of the smaller pieces and chips. Of course, you can also check the alignment of the firebox and make sure there is no accumulated ash in the grate or the firebox holes, etc. Good luck!

ar3 · November 2009

TNW, I just checked my lump and it's about 3 pieces per palm, not 1 like I remembered...Also, I have previously checked all the holes, the alignment, vents wide open, calibrated thermometer, used enough charcoal, etc. Everything looks good and it seems the only thing that has changed since my last 700-degree fire is that my lump is mostly small with few medium pieces and no large pieces.

Could it be that rain on the egg has got the used charcoal damp, or that my plastic bin for the new charcoal isn't keeping my new lump dry enough when it rains? Thanks!

Bad Bag of BGE Charcoal?

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