"The Zen of Charcoal"

Gator Bait · December 2009

I stumbled upon this article The Zen of Charcoal and thought I would pass it on.

What I found of interest was the video on making lump. Be sure to click on "how Henry Strump makes hardwood lump charcoal in Steelville, MO."

Gator

rooster · December 2009

verry interestingggg

Jupiter Jim · December 2009

Gator Bait,
Thanks for posting that, it was a good read and the video was neat.
Jupiter Jim

2Fategghead · December 2009

Gator, I saved that link so I can see it again. I thing I have BBQed with a bag of that lump. That was very informative and well done. Thanks for sharing.

Gator Bait · December 2009

I agree rooster, glad you thought so too.

Have a very Merry and a safe and Happy,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Glad you found it interesting, Jim. I thought the video showed a side of lump we don't get to see very often.

Happy Holidays to you,

Gator

fieroguy · December 2009

Gator - Thanks for posting. Very interesting. Makes me kinda wish I could find some 'Fire King' and give it a try.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Gator Bait · December 2009

Hey Tim,

I thought it was well done also. I had never seen a kiln that close up before. Glad you enjoyed it.

The best of Holidays to you,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

My pleasure Mike, Best Holidays to you and yours,

Gator

NotabuttDave · December 2009

One helluva post.

Thanks

I thought my job sucked!

I could be the charcoal bagger, rather than an insurance agent.

CBBQ · December 2009

Thanks for the post. Fire King lump is by far my favorite for my business.

dubah · December 2009

I made my own charcoal with hardwood, found locally, following the instructions on the Naked Whiz website:
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/makinglump.htm
It came out pretty good, though noticibly "lighter" than commercially bought stuff.
It was a lot of fun, and I'll do it again, sometime.
Great video. Happy Holidays.

LFGEnergy · December 2009

Thanks for the post! Very interesting video. It reminds us how hard folks work in our country to support our way of life.

Dave in Keller, TX

whtfarmer · December 2009

Thanks for a very good post. I too made charcoal once. The charcoal was very good. I did it before I found the Whiz's site, but my setup was similar to his. It was a very hot and dirty job. I will only do it again if I can't buy it in a bag. Has anyone tried the grillmates he liked so well? Merry Christmas!

rsmdale · December 2009

Thanks for sharing that Gator,raised in Southern California benn kinda shielded from that.I do remember as a kid watching the guys that owned a piece of property in the desert by our duck club burn 160 acres of Mesquite trees.It burned all summer and into duck season.When we would BBQ at the club my dad would take a metal bucket over and scoop some coals(best meat ever)

GOOD EATS AND GOOD FRIENDS

DALE

Gator Bait · December 2009

NotabuttDave wrote:

I thought my job sucked!

I could be the charcoal bagger, rather than an insurance agent.

LOL, I saw him and thought that looked as bad if not worse then some of the winners I have had. I would have thought he would wear a dust/particle mask. I can't imagine what his lungs look like.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Hi CBBQ

Glad you found interest in it, that is one of the many brands we don't see down here. I can get Royal Oak, Cowboy, and a couple small Central and South American brands carried by the little Latino markets. Viva Pancho is one. It is a mesquite charcoal that I like a lot for steaks.

Hope your Holidays are memorable,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Very interesting dubah, I never gave thought to making it. Now I live where it would not be practical or welcome.

Happy Holidays to you and yours,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Hi Dave,

Glad you found it interesting. I remember when I was one of those hard working people. LOL, I might be one again some day.

Have a very Merry and a safe and Happy,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Hi whtfarmer,

I've seen my share of hot and dirty jobs, I think I will pass on making charcoal. I never knew that a collier was someone that produces charcoal! The county just south of us is Collier County but that is named for Barron Collier a big land developer way back when. One of his ancestors must have produced charcoal. Interesting.

Hope your Holidays are fantastic,

Gator

Gator Bait · December 2009

Hi Dale,

Glad you enjoyed it, I found it to be educational. That is very interesting about the burning of the Mesquite trees. I have found a good Mesquite charcoal called Viva Pancho. I discovered it in a little Latino market not far from the house. The last time I picked some up it was a little more expensive then Royal Oak. It burns long and hot and has a slightly different smell to it. Sort of sweet, maybe a little spicy. Good stuff.

Happy Holidays to you and yours,

Gator

"The Zen of Charcoal"

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