What charcoal to buy

[Too Late]

Hi everyone.

I am noticing recently with some Aldi and co-op charcoal that my BBQs are not keeping so hot. I am assuming it's the charcoal rather than my technique?

I have the Weber starter chimney which I use for 20odd mins. When I transfer to the BBQ the coals are glowing. Then I leave the grill to hear for 10 mins. But I notice that after 30 mins the temp is dropping quickly on the BBQ.

I have 57cm Weber and the travel Weber.

I keep the vents shut when they are in use and are both cleaned regularly.


Any recommendations on charcoal or where I might be going wrong?
I don't use restaurant grade charcoal, should I?

Thanks

[Bill]

Too Late said:

I keep the vents shut when they are in use

I suspect this is your problem - it's going out due to lack of air.

I tend to use big K, lumpwood for heat and briquettes for longevity imo. Restaurant grade has more big bits and less dust, but that might be the size of the bag meaning g it just takes longer to get to the bottom.

[22s]

I always hear of Big K being the gold standard.

[ChrisnChris]

I have started to use restaurant charcoal from Bookers cash and carry. Some lumps are a little on the large side, it burns very hot.

[Whistle]

I have found the stuff from Costco to be very good.

[rossw46]

Another vote for Big K, very good stuff.

And your vents being closed completely is starving your fire of oxygen, hence getting cool.

[jmorgan]

Tried the various stuff from the usual suspects, but keep coming back to the webber branded. Never lets me down.

[FurtiveFreddy]

I'm using Big Green Egg Lump Charcoal if I'm not cooking much food or need it to heat up quickly and Australian Heat Beads if there's more to grill and I need it to stay hotter for longer.

Yesterday, I made pulled pork by smoking a picnic roast using the Heat Beads and a Smokenator in my Weber. I could keep the dome temperature at 250-300 degrees F all day long just by making small adjustments to the top vent (with the bottom vent wide open).

It maintained that sort of temperature for 15 hours in the end, just adding a few coals every few hours.

You also need to take account of the ambient temperature and how much of a breeze you might have around the BBQ, as it all plays a part in how quickly it gets up to temperature and how hot and long your charcoal will burn for.

[jmorgan]

If I am open BBQ then charcoal, smoking then briquette.

[Alucidnation]

I use only old stuff that's on offer or the cheapest and never had issues.

Quantity will help, but if you are shutting the vents then no air can pass through to keep the coals hot.

[fttm]

Just in case you hadn't noticed , you need to vent . Get the temps up then regulate by closing the vents a bit at a time but not completely because you'll kill it . Same principal when lighting a smoker ,hth.

[thebraketester]

jmorgan said:

If I am open BBQ then charcoal, smoking then briquette.

^^^ this.

Lumpwood gives you much higher temps, perfect for normal BBQ grilling. They burn quickly.

Briquettes burn longer and at a lower temp.

I usually use a mixture for normal "open grill" BBQing.

[Too Late]

Thanks all

Ordered some big k charcoal and Weber briquettes

Thanks

[jmorgan]

Future reference, get all my stuff from here now.
https://www.riversidegardencentre.co.uk/weber-bbq/...

Excellent selection of rubs and marinades and wood chips all in one place al well. Good job I do not live near it.

[_Neal_]

For briquettes, I've also had good experience (on Weber Smokey Mountain and normal Weber kettle) with the "long burn briquettes" from green olive firewood) - they sell them in 5kg and 10kg bags at some garden centres and you can also order them online.

[ForZiE23]

I use a combo of BAR-BE-QUICK pre light backs the K on top with some briquets too. This normally all burns and gives a good long lasting base. Costco stuff is pretty good if / when its in stock.

[J8 SVG]

Another happy user of Big K lumpwood (big red bag) for BBQ & Weber briquettes (Big black bag) for smoking over here!

[Mobile Chicane]

UK-produced hardwood charcoal, from eg. The Surrey Hills Charcoal Company is the creme-de-la-creme.

Available from country stores and petrol stations in and around the West Horsley area, it has nice big chunks, burns hot and lasts for for ages.

[majordad]

Part of my garden is full of year old dry pine cones, I use these and supplement it Aldi/Lidl charcoal. Works well for me !

[Hoofy]

I use Aldi charcoal (£4.50 for 5kg IIRC?). I just put it in an old foil tin that I bought some roasting vegetables in and put the over grill over that. It works fine for me.

This is basically my bbq: