Weber Heat Beads v Briquettes

[Cotty]

I have a Weber Smokey Joe which is perfect for a balcony and taking camping. When I ordered it I bought some of their head beads to tip the price into the free deliver option. I thought the heat beads were great, difficult to light but once lit stayed at cooking heat for hours, also great for keeping warm at a cold and wet Le Mans (2007)

I couldn't find the the heat beads so bought some weber briquettes and thought they were rubbish, just didn't create the same kind of heat and for a much shorter period.

Anyway what do you use in your Weber?

[whitechief]

I use lumpwood charcoal, I've never heard of heat beads, what are they?

[Papoo]

As mentioned, you get a superior product when you get lump charcoal, rather than briquettes.

Lump charcoal is just chunks of hardwood, whereas briquettes is like the donner kebab of fuel - it's full of additives, sawdust, off-cuts from carpenters and a load of binding agents.

Consequently, lump produces much less ash, it burns hotter as a result, and burns longer. The lack of ash also means that airflow around the coals is less likely to be obstructed, giving you a longer, cleaner, hotter burn.

Weber smokey joe is a great little unit..

[Cotty]

whitechief said:

I've never heard of heat beads, what are they?

I don't really know but they burn hotter and longer than bricketts

They list them here but no explanation as to the difference

http://www.wowbbq.co.uk/submenu/Weber%20Charcoal%2...

[Cotty]

Papoo are heat beads a kind of lump charcoal?

Papoo said:

Weber smokey joe is a great little unit..

Its a great bit of kit and I would reccomend to anyone wanting a small portable BBQ.

Edited by Cotty on Thursday 25th June 22:17

[Papoo]

If I'm not mistaken, heat beads are a type/make of briquettes. Not entirely sure, but I'm sure I came accross them a while back.

Most lump charcoal will do the trick. It's the stuff that comes in ragged-shaped pieces. The general concensus is that bigger chunks is better. Some brands are better than other. Royal Oak is probably the most popular and best 'main stream' one here in the States, not sure you can get it in the UK. Either way, for hot grilling on your smokey joe, most any lump charcoal will do you nicely..

Briquettes will work, but I'm sure you'll be fully converted after using lump. It's especially important if you do long smokes, maybe 10-15 hours. Briquettes will ash over and eventually put themselves out. That aint good when you've wasted the last 6 hours cooking something you've just got to give the dog! A couple of taps on the smokey joe will get rid of forming ash from lump.

Hope this helps..

[Cotty]

Papoo said:

If I'm not mistaken, heat beads are a type/make of briquettes. Not entirely sure, but I'm sure I came accross them a while back.

They are briquette size and shape but burn hot for about 4/5 hours. They are perfect if you have people sharing the BBQ or if its a bit cold as they stay hot for hours.

[Papoo]

Cotty said:

Papoo said:

If I'm not mistaken, heat beads are a type/make of briquettes. Not entirely sure, but I'm sure I came accross them a while back.

They are briquette size and shape but burn hot for about 4/5 hours. They are perfect if you have people sharing the BBQ or if its a bit cold as they stay hot for hours.

Gotcha. You'll easily get that from lump, too. Just with less ash. Enjoy the grill..

[Mobile Chicane]

I have the same (patio sized) BBQ and use lumpwood charcoal, or just wood - since I have access to lots of it - and am stingy.

[SwanJack]

Makro sell Restaurant grade lumpwood charcoal, the charcoal pieces being much bigger than normal, which gives you a longer cooking time. Much cheaper than anywhere else too.

[Mobile Chicane]

^^^ Unfortunately there isn't a Makro anywhere near me.

Of the petrol station / supermarket type of charcoal, I've found the lumpwood 'Big K' stuff has the biggest pieces.

Prices vary a lot - a 5kg bag of this costs £4.50 from Waitrose, £5 from Tesco, £7.99 at the garden centre.