I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

JoeP wrote:
I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

Check your local Mexican grocery stores. They usually have big
commercial size bags of natural mesquite lump. If they don't have them
in the store ask the guy roasting chicken out front.

JoeP wrote:
I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

I've been buying the big bags of mesquite lump at S & F for years. If you
don't have access to fruit or other hardwood trimmings, BBQ Galore is OK.
You only need a few handfuls at a time. Don't pre-soak them. Wrap them in
foil, poke some holes in the package and put it on the lump.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

On May 7, 12:27 am, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:

I've been buying the big bags of mesquite lump at S & F for years. If you
don't have access to fruit or other hardwood trimmings, BBQ Galore is OK.
You only need a few handfuls at a time. Don't pre-soak them. Wrap them in
foil, poke some holes in the package and put it on the lump.

BevMo carries Lazzari mesquite lump. If you really try you can
probably get the manager to order the oak lump. They have stores in
the SD area.

http://www.bevmo.com/homefind-Bevmo.asp?area=storeloc

On May 6, 6:25 pm, JoeP wrote:

.. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

Joe,

I use the S&F lump in my WSM. Works well, but you need to be picky
about the bag you buy, as they aren't typically handled with the
greatest of care, and you can end up with a lot of fines. You will
also get some rather large (3-4" diameter) branch pieces as well.

Compared to my experience with Royal Oak, I find that the S&F mesquite
tends to:

1. Come up to heat slower
2. Burn hotter
3. Burn faster (see 2)

If it gets above temperature, it's difficult to bring back down to
temp. Slow and steady is your friend (or at least mine).

Jason

On 2007-05-07, Jason Tinling wrote:
On May 6, 6:25 pm, JoeP wrote:

. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

Joe,

I use the S&F lump in my WSM. Works well, but you need to be picky
about the bag you buy, as they aren't typically handled with the
greatest of care, and you can end up with a lot of fines. You will
also get some rather large (3-4" diameter) branch pieces as well.

Compared to my experience with Royal Oak, I find that the S&F mesquite
tends to:

1. Come up to heat slower
2. Burn hotter
3. Burn faster (see 2)


I've also found the S&F Mesquite (can't recall the mfg right now) to
have a nasty diesel smell if you get it good-n-hot and stick your face
over the rising smoke flume.. I've not used it since I found that after
getting my Kamado BBQ. I had not noticed it before when I had all of
my other grills though.. If you want to test this theory, get some of
the S&F lump and put it into a charcoal chimney and light-er-up using
paper (no starter fuel) and wait until all coals are red-hot -- then
with it sitting on the ground and you standing, stick your nose over
the exhaust flume and see what you smell.. I and my sister-in-law smelled
lots of diesel fumes.. I gave the remnants of the bag away for free
on my local Craigslist and haven't bought any since. YMMV!

Jason Tinling wrote:
On May 6, 6:25 pm, JoeP wrote:

. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Joe,

I use the S&F lump in my WSM. Works well, but you need to be picky
about the bag you buy, as they aren't typically handled with the
greatest of care, and you can end up with a lot of fines. You will
also get some rather large (3-4" diameter) branch pieces as well.

Compared to my experience with Royal Oak, I find that the S&F mesquite
tends to:

1. Come up to heat slower
2. Burn hotter
3. Burn faster (see 2)

If it gets above temperature, it's difficult to bring back down to
temp. Slow and steady is your friend (or at least mine).

Jason, I use the S&F lump in my NB Cattleman. When I bring the bag home, I
dump it in a 35 gallon plastic container with watertight lid. The big lumps
float to the top after a few gentle rockings. I use a chimney and the
Minion method to get my coals going and they heat up ib a (for me)
reasonable time. It does burn hotter, so that bottom damper is mostly on
1/8 to 1/4 open (top wide open). I go out and check the temp during
commercial breaks and check the firebox if the temp starts to fall. Jun
grills with it, in the NB firebox, with great results.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

On May 7, 12:27 am, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:
I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

I've been buying the big bags of mesquite lump at S & F for years. If you
don't have access to fruit or other hardwood trimmings, BBQ Galore is OK.
You only need a few handfuls at a time. Don't pre-soak them. Wrap them in
foil, poke some holes in the package and put it on the lump.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

Yeah I think I'm going to give it a try, I might buy the small bag at
first just to see how it works out. I guess royal oak can be bought at
Walmart in a pinch. Is BBQ Galore the only option for Hardwood?

Joe

Sonoran Dude wrote:
JoeP wrote:
I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

Check your local Mexican grocery stores. They usually have big
commercial size bags of natural mesquite lump. If they don't have them
in the store ask the guy roasting chicken out front.

Bags only say Product of Mexico. They are $12 for a nylon-burlap 40lb
bag. Never any garbage wood or toxic fumes, they seem better in quality
than what is described in this thread. I buy about 5 bags a year. In the
last two years I remember only one bag that was dust.
The sizes are not consistent but who cares...I use different pieces for
different reasons. Having a big log under the grill can have its
advantages, consider roasting marshmallows for example.

JoeP wrote:
On May 7, 12:27 am, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:
[ . . . ]
Is BBQ Galore the only option for Hardwood?

I think I've since found hardwood chunks around, but I mostly use Kaffir
lime wood from our backyard and baby coconut when my wife and kids buy it.
When my neighbor's plum tree hangs over into my yard, I get some of that,
too!

Google on San Diego orchards and San Diego fruit orchards. Call and ask.
Drive around. Look for fruit orchards. Whenever you find one, stop and ask
if they have any tree trimmings. A lot of oak down there, too, IIRC. You
should be able to find trimmings cheap or free for the hauling.

Summer's comin', time's a'wastin! Post pics to alt.binaries.food, please.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

On 2007-05-08, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:
On May 7, 12:27 am, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:
[ . . . ]
Is BBQ Galore the only option for Hardwood?

I think I've since found hardwood chunks around, but I mostly use Kaffir
lime wood from our backyard and baby coconut when my wife and kids buy it.
When my neighbor's plum tree hangs over into my yard, I get some of that,
too!

Google on San Diego orchards and San Diego fruit orchards. Call and ask.
Drive around. Look for fruit orchards. Whenever you find one, stop and ask
if they have any tree trimmings. A lot of oak down there, too, IIRC. You
should be able to find trimmings cheap or free for the hauling.

Don't forget to ask them if they use pesticides.. I don't think you want
any of that being "fumed" into your foods being smoked or cooked..

I put an ad up on my local edition of Craigslist and got a few hits including
one VERY overgrown yard not too far from home owned by an older couple and
they had everything from grapewood, apples, peaches, nectarines,etc. In their
case, I was able to take entire trees so I've got LOTS of already seasoned
fruit woods ready for use (but with termites -- so their quaranteened in 50g
drums w/ lids to ensure my house isn't the next victim). (8-

Google on San Diego orchards and San Diego fruit orchards. Call and ask.
Drive around. Look for fruit orchards. Whenever you find one, stop and ask
if they have any tree trimmings. A lot of oak down there, too, IIRC. You
should be able to find trimmings cheap or free for the hauling.

Don't forget to ask them if they use pesticides.. I don't think you want
any of that being "fumed" into your foods being smoked or cooked..

I put an ad up on my local edition of Craigslist and got a few hits including
one VERY overgrown yard not too far from home owned by an older couple and
they had everything from grapewood, apples, peaches, nectarines,etc. In their
case, I was able to take entire trees so I've got LOTS of already seasoned
fruit woods ready for use (but with termites -- so their quaranteened in 50g
drums w/ lids to ensure my house isn't the next victim). (8-

Okay I'll do that, A quick question; If I'm using mainly mesquite
Lump, is the fruit tree hardwood smoking wise?

Joe

JoeP wrote:
[ . . . ]
[]If I'm using mainly mesquite
Lump, is the fruit tree hardwood smoking wise?

That's what I do. ;-)

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

On May 10, 7:52 pm, Nick Cramer wrote:
JoeP wrote:
[ . . . ]
[]If I'm using mainly mesquite
Lump, is the fruit tree hardwood smoking wise?

That's what I do. ;-)

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !
~Semper Fi~

I bought some Applewood and Cherrywood. What would be the best
applications for these? I have some fresh caught rockfish coming to me
tommorow. Does anyone have an opinion on preparation and smoking?

Joe

On 8-May-2007, Sonoran Dude wrote:

Sonoran Dude wrote:
JoeP wrote:
I have a Weber Performer that I bought off of a freind. He gave me a
bag of Royal Oak and some mesquite Lump from San Diego Hardwood. He
also hooked me up with a peice of Pecan and Apple wood for smoking. I
have really enjoyed the mesquite lump so far the best, the royal oak
is fine but I love the flavor that is transferred by the mesquite. My
question is: Is there any local stores that sell mesquite charcoal
comparable to the ones from San Diego Hardwood? Mainly because I don't
feel like making a trip to Escondido to pick up Charcoal. I think the
coconut coal looks interesting from Kamado as well but I don't feel
like making a trip to the Border either. They Bar B Que galore near by
that I haven't stopped into yet, but my freind said they are very
expensive. I did notice that Smart and Final has some mesquite Lump,
has anyone here used that before?

Thanks,
Joe

Check your local Mexican grocery stores. They usually have big
commercial size bags of natural mesquite lump. If they don't have them
in the store ask the guy roasting chicken out front.

Bags only say Product of Mexico. They are $12 for a nylon-burlap 40lb
bag. Never any garbage wood or toxic fumes, they seem better in quality
than what is described in this thread. I buy about 5 bags a year. In the
last two years I remember only one bag that was dust.
The sizes are not consistent but who cares...I use different pieces for
different reasons. Having a big log under the grill can have its
advantages, consider roasting marshmallows for example.

30¢/lb is a damn good price for lump. I had to go without for a long time
and just lately I'm able to get some for 53¢/lb. Odd sizes are to be
expected. Having someone grade the sizes or running them over a
a screen would just break it up more and serve no real purpose. I'll
take all the odd sized lump I can get for 30¢/lb.

--
Brick(Youth is wasted on young people)