Webber Briquettes

[Coneyhurst Blue]

As it’s that season has anyone found any deals for Webber Briquettes ?
Are Webber still the best in terms of heat and even burn ?
Tend to fire up the smoker most weekends but haven’t yet ordered in the briquettes.
Cheers all.

[Dicky Knee]

Have a look at Heat Beads. They are Australian but available here.

[ibisti]

I particularly like heat beads as my briquettes of choice, they have a good even burn at quite a high temp, but are easily controllable for smoking. . Here's a link to where I get them from

https://www.bbqworld.co.uk/heat-beads/australian-h...

[hacksaw]

Heat beads often available from the range as well.

[LordGrover]

Last weekend I was desperate for some fuel for my BBQ as I'd forgotten to get any.
Ended up buying 8kg sack of lumpwood charcoal from B&Q - surprisingly good. Doesn't last as long as Weber briquettes but plenty of heat, easy starting too.
Have ordered a couple of sacks of beads recommended above - I'll give them a try too.

[ibisti]

LordGrover said:

Last weekend I was desperate for some fuel for my BBQ as I'd forgotten to get any.
Ended up buying 8kg sack of lumpwood charcoal from B&Q - surprisingly good. Doesn't last as long as Weber briquettes but plenty of heat, easy starting too.
Have ordered a couple of sacks of beads recommended above - I'll give them a try too.

It depends on what form of cooking you are doing. The lumpwood is great for grilling with the higher temps where as the briquettes are much better for smoking as they burn much longer but at a lower temp. In my smoker the heat beads can last a good 8 to 10 hours at a steady 225F.

[Tickle]

I don't like using briquettes, prefer lumpwood.

I've been using this stuff: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15kg-Premium-Real-Lumpw...

Seems good and as it's bought in a decent size bag I (hopefully) won't be caught out and doing a last moment dash to the garden center for a bag of crap stuff!

It fills an old galvanized bin nicely, I should be able to re-order before it runs out.

Edited by Tickle on Thursday 2nd May 12:51

[HarryFlatters]

Tickle said:

I don't like using briquettes, prefer lumpwood.

I use both, depending on what I'm doing. I used to get bags of catering lumpwood charcoal from Makro which is brilliant if you want a screaming hot grill and aren't bothered about the fire lasting ages.

Briquettes burn lower and longer and I've used them for 8 hour brisket and pork shoulder where you want the temperatures just above a smoulder. The best briquettes I've used were from L'Eclerq in France, and I'm effed if I can remember what they're called

[tedmus]

Tickle said:

I don't like using briquettes, prefer lumpwood.

I've been using this stuff: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15kg-Premium-Real-Lumpw...

Seems good and as it's bought in a decent size bag I (hopefully) won't be caught out and doing a last moment dash to the garden center for a bag of crap stuff!

It fills an old galvanized bin nicely, I should be able to re-order before it runs out.

Edited by Tickle on Thursday 2nd May 12:51

I've used this a lot, pretty decent stuff and usually delivers in a couple of days.

[craig1912]

I use lumpwood and briquettes- normally Heat Beads but just bought some of these to try
https://www.souschef.co.uk/products/proq-cocoshell...

for lumpwood it is normally this as ocado occasionally have a two for one offer
https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Big-K-Restau...

[omniflow]

craig1912 said:

I use lumpwood and briquettes- normally Heat Beads but just bought some of these to try
https://www.souschef.co.uk/products/proq-cocoshell...

Thanks for this - I've been looking for a new source of coconut shell briquettes for several years now.

They look pretty much identical to the ones I used buy. For smoking these are perfect. Using the "Minion method" I've had a single load of coconut charcoal burn for 18 hours, and it was still a steady 225F at the end.

For my version of the Minion method, I make a cardboard ring - about 8" in diameter - put that in the middle of the basket and then load the rest of the basket with as much charcoal as I can. I then take a starter chimney full of charcoal, get it fully burning and then pour it into the cardboard ring. Works perfectly every time.

[Tickle]

HarryFlatters said:

I use both, depending on what I'm doing. I used to get bags of catering lumpwood charcoal from Makro which is brilliant if you want a screaming hot grill and aren't bothered about the fire lasting ages.

Briquettes burn lower and longer and I've used them for 8 hour brisket and pork shoulder where you want the temperatures just above a smoulder. The best briquettes I've used were from L'Eclerq in France, and I'm effed if I can remember what they're called

I have used both in the past, I just don't like the idea of 'manufactured' briquettes, especially if cooking closed in for indirect.

The only issue I've found with the catering lumpwood is it has some very inconsistent sizing. Not a problem as they are easily broken up.

[Ynox]

Weber had a deal on a while ago, 10kg for the price of 8 and a half decent price.

I ended up ordering 80kg of the stuff. It's in my garage.

Weber briquettes are my go to. It lights quickly with limited smoke and it works well. Heat beads are also good, although run a little hotter than Weber and are a pain in the ass to get going even with a propane torch - they last longer though.

[Mort7]

If you want good value from charcoal, and apologies if I'm teaching anyone to suck eggs, then as soon as you've finished cooking put the lid on and close the air vents. You can then use the charcoal again, and it generally lights better too.

[ReaperCushions]

Tickle said:

HarryFlatters said:

I use both, depending on what I'm doing. I used to get bags of catering lumpwood charcoal from Makro which is brilliant if you want a screaming hot grill and aren't bothered about the fire lasting ages.

Briquettes burn lower and longer and I've used them for 8 hour brisket and pork shoulder where you want the temperatures just above a smoulder. The best briquettes I've used were from L'Eclerq in France, and I'm effed if I can remember what they're called

I have used both in the past, I just don't like the idea of 'manufactured' briquettes, especially if cooking closed in for indirect.

The only issue I've found with the catering lumpwood is it has some very inconsistent sizing. Not a problem as they are easily broken up.

I agree, I find the briquettes add an unsavory flavor, almost chemical / petrol type. I always go for lump wood, even for a longer smoke (Means more maintenance of course)