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theron theron is offline
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Default Charcoal Propane Cost Comparisons


"Theron" > wrote in message
...
> As the ultimate tightwad I'm always looking for the least expensive way to
> accomplish something comparable. I just put together figures showing cost
> of fuel comparisons of different charcoals versus propane. It's a bit
> disconcerting that the cost of fuel can exceed the cost of food at times.
> I'm doing 5 lb of pork shoulder with lump charcoal and the cost of pork
> was $.99/lb.
>
> Fuel Cost Comparison
> propane
> Walmart "choice" charcoal
> Trader Joe's Charcoal
> "Lump" Charcoal
>
> cost
> $20.00
> $5.27
> $6.95
> varies
>
> weight
> 20
> 18
> 18
> varies
>
> cost/lb
> $1.00
> $0.29
> $0.39
> $0.55
>
> btu/tank
> 420000
>
>
>
>
> btu/lb
> 21000
> 9000
> 9000
> 9000
>
> cost/10,000 BTU
> $0.48
> $0.33
> $0.43
> $0.61
>
> Comparison to Propane
> 100.00%
> 68.31%
> 90.09%
> 128.33%
>
> Fuel Cost per 5 hours
> $2.38
> $1.63
> $2.15
> $3.06
>
> Fuel Cost per 10 hours
> $4.76
> $3.25
> $4.29
> $6.11
>
>
>
> I'm assuming that the BTU per pound of different charcoals is the same,
> and as we know it's not. I'm also assuming 10,000 BTU per hour, which is
> variable, based on cooking temp, and the size of the cooking unit. I've
> been unable to find anything about the ingredients of the Sam's Walmart
> charcoal, and the Trader Joe's charcoall is claimed to be 100% hardwood
> plus cornstarch to bind and lump is wood.
> Your thoughts??
>
> Ed
>

A slight screwup. You have to start at the top and place each small column
to the right of the column above it, so you end up with a table. I'll try to
compose this so it will read in a more legible fashion.

Ed