On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:38:46 GMT, Mark
wrote:

Anyhow, for now, I think I've decided that I'll stick to briquettes until
I have a little more experience. Given that, I can get Kingsford or I can
buy "Safeway" brand (for about 30% less). Is there really a big
difference ? Kingsford marketing would certinly have me think so but I'm
far from convinced.

Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you. Their
lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year. I get by
without briquettes altogether.
--
Ivan Weiss "Bush, Bush, where's my job?"
Vashon WA Gone to feed your greedy mob!"
-- The Mugwump campaign, 2004

FYI....Safeway, Vons, Albertsons and a few other store brand briquettes are
produced and packaged by Royal Oak. I learned that from a Royal Oak sales
rep.

Theo


"Mark" wrote in message
...


I read the FAQ and couldn't find anything on this...

I'm a quickly leaning newbie to teh 'q' scene so I'm trying lots of
different things as I go. So far, I've used Kingsford and lump.

I had a hard time with the lump. Themp varied a lot more (it's a natural
product has has natural variances) but I also found that about 1/3 the
bag was just little shards of charcoal and these quickly fall through the
grate.

Now, I realize that that might just be a single bag and I also realize
that I could add a second grate (placed perpendicular to the first) to
hold it better.

Anyhow, for now, I think I've decided that I'll stick to briquettes until
I have a little more experience. Given that, I can get Kingsford or I can
buy "Safeway" brand (for about 30% less). Is there really a big
difference ? Kingsford marketing would certinly have me think so but I'm
far from convinced.

Is there a (significant) difference ?

Thanks.


--
Mark
(remove the obvious to reply)

There is a significant diifeeenece betwen brands of lump. try BGE or Kamado
charcoal and you will soon realize that. You won't experience most of those
problems you referred to. As far as Kingsford briquettes they have way too many
aditives and give he food an off tast particylarly on slow cooks.

new to this, really appreciate the info i'm getting here. (i wouldn't have
thought to give my as yet unused WSM a foodless run to burn off the grease,
which is definately there.)

and from what i read here, i'm definately off charcoal briquettes. the
question is, should lump wood be started with a chimney, minion method, as with
charcoal? will wood maintain temperature consistency comparable to charcoal?

thanks

OhJeeez wrote:

and from what i read here, i'm definately off charcoal briquettes. the
question is, should lump wood be started with a chimney, minion method, as with
charcoal? will wood maintain temperature consistency comparable to charcoal?

Not quite sure what you're asking here. Minion Method is when you load
up the charcoal ring with unlit charcoal, start a chimney full of
charcoal going, then dump the lit onto the unlit. And yes, this works
with lump charcoal as well as briquettes.

I use lump charcoal and sand in the water pan; I have never had problems
with wide temperature swings.

--
Aloha,

Nathan Lau
San Jose, CA

#include std.disclaimer

"OhJeeez" wrote in message
...
new to this, really appreciate the info i'm getting here. (i wouldn't
have
thought to give my as yet unused WSM a foodless run to burn off the
grease,
which is definately there.)

and from what i read here, i'm definately off charcoal briquettes. the
question is, should lump wood be started with a chimney, minion method, as
with
charcoal? will wood maintain temperature consistency comparable to
charcoal?

thanks

Are you confusing the term "lump," as in lump charcoal (not briquettes but
naturally carbonized, unadulterated wood) with "lumps of wood?" Few
barbecuers actually burn wood down to coals for cooking, since it takes a
pretty big fire pit to accomplish that.

Jack Curry

Are you confusing the term "lump," as in lump charcoal (not briquettes but
naturally carbonized, unadulterated wood) with "lumps of wood?"

i apparanty did mis-speak, yes... and i gather from another post that i can
start lump charcoal - chimney/minion - and briquettes the same way?

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 20:38:46 GMT, Mark
wrote:



I read the FAQ and couldn't find anything on this...

I'm a quickly leaning newbie to teh 'q' scene so I'm trying lots of
different things as I go. So far, I've used Kingsford and lump.

I had a hard time with the lump. Themp varied a lot more (it's a natural
product has has natural variances) but I also found that about 1/3 the
bag was just little shards of charcoal and these quickly fall through the
grate.

Now, I realize that that might just be a single bag and I also realize
that I could add a second grate (placed perpendicular to the first) to
hold it better.

Anyhow, for now, I think I've decided that I'll stick to briquettes until
I have a little more experience. Given that, I can get Kingsford or I can
buy "Safeway" brand (for about 30% less). Is there really a big
difference ? Kingsford marketing would certinly have me think so but I'm
far from convinced.

Is there a (significant) difference ?

Thanks.
Nope, they both taste nasty! I'd get the 2nd grate, expect a learning
curve and stick to the good stuff aka lump from the get go. Just my
nickel's worth

Jeanine and her lil smokin' joey!

Ivan Weiss wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you. Their
lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year.

Well, as we've learned in past threads on lump, just because a chain
store carries lump in one part of the country, doesn't mean they'll have
it in other non-barbecue sections of the country (or that managers will
be nice enough to order you some).

BUT, more to the point- $8 for 50 pounds is a GREAT price (I feel lucky
in lump-deprived NJ whenever I pay 50 cents a pound)- but maybe you're
thinking about the size of the bag (similar to 50 pounds of briquettes)
and not actual weight.

For NJ lump hunters, I notice that some Lowes are carrying Cowboy Lump
again this year for a little under $5/10 lbs., with the notorious "$1
rebate coupon" stuck to the bag. Also, have seen it in Stop & Shops.
Grenuardi's (supermarket) in south Jersey also carries lump, including
Lazzirri's Mesquite.

"OhJeeez" wrote in message
...
new to this, really appreciate the info i'm getting here. (i wouldn't
have
thought to give my as yet unused WSM a foodless run to burn off the
grease,
which is definately there.)

and from what i read here, i'm definately off charcoal briquettes. the
question is, should lump wood be started with a chimney, minion method, as
with
charcoal? will wood maintain temperature consistency comparable to
charcoal?

I start lump charcoal with chunks of paraffin-sawdust mix. This method is
clean, convenient, and 100 percent effective.

To make this, fill a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with sawdust, packed down
tight. Melt two standard-sized bricks of paraffin (available at hobby
stores) in a double boiler. Pour, slowly and carefully, over the sawdust.
Let cool and harden, then break into chunks.

By the time your lump is burning and you are ready to either put additional
wood on it, or put the meat on the grill, the paraffin will have been
consumed and there will be none of it on your food. I hope this is helpful.
--
Ivan Weiss
Vashon WA
Boycott Darigold! Break the lockout!
Get the facts at www.local66.org
and www.laborwatchman.com

wrote in message
...
Ivan Weiss wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you.
Their
lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year.

Well, as we've learned in past threads on lump, just because a chain
store carries lump in one part of the country, doesn't mean they'll have
it in other non-barbecue sections of the country (or that managers will
be nice enough to order you some).

I'm a little puzzled by this. In the case of True Value, it's in the
catalog. Why *wouldn't* they order it for you? That's their job. I can't
speak for other chains.
--
Ivan Weiss "Bush, Bush, where's my job?"
Vashon WA Gone to feed your greedy mob!"
-- The Mugwump campaign, 2004

Ivan Weiss wrote:

wrote in message
...

Ivan Weiss wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you.

Their

lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year.

Well, as we've learned in past threads on lump, just because a chain
store carries lump in one part of the country, doesn't mean they'll have
it in other non-barbecue sections of the country (or that managers will
be nice enough to order you some).


I'm a little puzzled by this. In the case of True Value, it's in the
catalog. Why *wouldn't* they order it for you? That's their job. I can't
speak for other chains.

I have no experience ordering from True Value specifically (altho' it
seems to be a franchise deal with independently owned stores joining to
be an affliate rather than a true "chain") but I know the two Agway's I
go to can't be bothered ordering, out of season, the Royal Oak they
carry every spring. (In fact, unless you own a $50,000 pick-up truck
and a million dollar horse farm, the one Agway can't be bothered
answering questions or even pointing you in the correct direction).

I try to use local businesses rather than the big chains but the local
guys make it very obvious they DON'T care for your business unless you
are a local or a contractor. I went to a local plumbing supply place
looking for a stainless steel utility sink. "Oh, I've done searches for
them for people. IF you could find one, it'd cost a couple of thousand
dollars..." I was told as he tried to sell me his fiberglass unit.
"Gee, that's funny. I priced one at a restaurant supply place yesterday
for $212..."

Steve Wertz wrote:
On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 16:42:39 -0800, "Ivan Weiss"
wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you.
Their
lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year. I
get by
without briquettes altogether.

That sounds too good to be true.

Even their 20-lb sacks are more than $8:

http://www.truevalue.com/index.cfm?a...&intDepartment
=2087&intCategory=2157&intSubCategory=2169&CFID=13 332892&CFTOKEN=2cdcd27-de0
ece55-cbd1-4052-9aa1-4aad469a66dd

-sw

Is that burnt wood scrap?

--

"Steve Wertz" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 16:42:39 -0800, "Ivan Weiss"
wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you. Their
lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year. I get
by
without briquettes altogether.

That sounds too good to be true.

Even their 20-lb sacks are more than $8:

You're probably right. I guess I'm so old that a 20-lb. sack feels like 50.
--
Ivan Weiss
Vashon WA
Boycott Darigold! Break the lockout!
Get the facts at www.local66.org
and www.laborwatchman.com

wrote:
Ivan Weiss wrote:

wrote in message
...

Ivan Weiss wrote:


Try the lump from True Value Hardware, if there's a store near you.


Their

lump comes in bigger pieces. A 50-pound sack cost me $8 last year.


Well, as we've learned in past threads on lump, just because a chain
store carries lump in one part of the country, doesn't mean they'll have
it in other non-barbecue sections of the country (or that managers will
be nice enough to order you some).



I'm a little puzzled by this. In the case of True Value, it's in the
catalog. Why *wouldn't* they order it for you? That's their job. I can't
speak for other chains.


I have no experience ordering from True Value specifically (altho' it
seems to be a franchise deal with independently owned stores joining to
be an affliate rather than a true "chain") but I know the two Agway's I
go to can't be bothered ordering, out of season, the Royal Oak they
carry every spring. (In fact, unless you own a $50,000 pick-up truck
and a million dollar horse farm, the one Agway can't be bothered
answering questions or even pointing you in the correct direction).

The local Agway here was very much like that until it changed hands.
It's still typically the most expensive place to buy anything, but the
staff and owner have become more helpful.

I try to use local businesses rather than the big chains but the local
guys make it very obvious they DON'T care for your business unless you
are a local or a contractor. I went to a local plumbing supply place
looking for a stainless steel utility sink. "Oh, I've done searches for
them for people. IF you could find one, it'd cost a couple of thousand
dollars..." I was told as he tried to sell me his fiberglass unit. "Gee,
that's funny. I priced one at a restaurant supply place yesterday for
$212..."


Been there, had that happen.

Matthew