OK... all the stores and homecenters in upstate NY have cleared out
their summer stuff and I can't buy ANY charcoal let alone lump (lump
was always hard to come by these parts anyway). Kamado only has the
extruded coconut in stock which I'm adding to the order but I don't
want to use it during the breakin period and I may not like the
flavor.

So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
upstate NY for a reasonable price? I figure I need ~50# or so to get
through the winter. I could also use some fire starter blocks as
well.

CHL wrote:

> So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> upstate NY for a reasonable price?

I'm not in upstate NY anymore (where I first came across the stuff in my
local indie hardware store), but I'd suggest Wegman's (they have their
own brand and it's usually on the shelves all year in NJ) or your local
Agway, who should be able to order it for you even if they don't have in
it stock anymore.

You might try local hardware stores. They may not have as good an inventory
control system as the big guys. You could also try the big guys on a slow
time and ask someone to prowl around in the back room; there might be a few
bags stuck off in the corner somewhere. It's worth a shot.

Here in NJ we have a few places that are "BBQ Grill" specialists. If you
notice one of these, give it a shot, too.

Good luck, you lucky stiff. <g>

Barry

> wrote in message
t...
> CHL wrote:
>
> > So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> > upstate NY for a reasonable price?
>
> I'm not in upstate NY anymore (where I first came across the stuff in my
> local indie hardware store), but I'd suggest Wegman's (they have their
> own brand and it's usually on the shelves all year in NJ) or your local
> Agway, who should be able to order it for you even if they don't have in
> it stock anymore.
>

There should be plenty of hardwood available in your neck of the woods. If
you've got the room and are of a DIY persuasion, you might find an answer
at:

http://www.velvitoil.com/Charmake.htm

Enjoy yer egg!

--
Nick, Retired in the San Fernando Valley www.boonchoo.com
"Giving violent criminals a government guarantee that their intended
victims are defenseless is bad public policy."
- John Ross, "Unintended Consequences"

CHL > typed:
> OK... all the stores and homecenters in upstate NY have cleared out
> their summer stuff and I can't buy ANY charcoal let alone lump (lump
> was always hard to come by these parts anyway). Kamado only has the
> extruded coconut in stock which I'm adding to the order but I don't
> want to use it during the breakin period and I may not like the
> flavor.
>
> So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> upstate NY for a reasonable price? I figure I need ~50# or so to get
> through the winter. I could also use some fire starter blocks as
> well.

Go ahead and use it!
From what Ive heard, there is little to no taste with the extruded coconut
unless you add som other wood chunks. I can't tell you for sure because I'm
still waiting for my 125 pounds of the stuff. IIRC, that's what "Team Kamado"
AKA, "Smokin' Away Again in Porkaritaville" uses in competition.

BOB

wrote in message et>...
> CHL wrote:
>
> > So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> > upstate NY for a reasonable price?
>
> I'm not in upstate NY anymore (where I first came across the stuff in my
> local indie hardware store), but I'd suggest Wegman's (they have their
> own brand and it's usually on the shelves all year in NJ) or your local
> Agway, who should be able to order it for you even if they don't have in
> it stock anymore.

Well... here's where upstate, NY is relative. Anything above 14th
street is upstate, NY to some. For me it's Dutchess County. Having
grown up in Western NY I certainly do miss Wegman's... Quite possibly
the best grocery store in the world.

Congratulations and best of luck.

--

Regards

Louis Cohen
Living la vida loca at N37° 43' 7.9" W122° 8' 42.8"

"CHL" > wrote in message
om...
> OK... all the stores and homecenters in upstate NY have cleared out
> their summer stuff and I can't buy ANY charcoal let alone lump (lump
> was always hard to come by these parts anyway). Kamado only has the
> extruded coconut in stock which I'm adding to the order but I don't
> want to use it during the breakin period and I may not like the
> flavor.
>
> So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> upstate NY for a reasonable price? I figure I need ~50# or so to get
> through the winter. I could also use some fire starter blocks as
> well.

"CHL" > wrote in message
om...
> wrote in message
et>...
> > CHL wrote:
> >
> > > So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> > > upstate NY for a reasonable price?
> >
> > I'm not in upstate NY anymore (where I first came across the stuff in my
> > local indie hardware store), but I'd suggest Wegman's (they have their
> > own brand and it's usually on the shelves all year in NJ) or your local
> > Agway, who should be able to order it for you even if they don't have in
> > it stock anymore.
>
> Well... here's where upstate, NY is relative. Anything above 14th
> street is upstate, NY to some. For me it's Dutchess County. Having
> grown up in Western NY I certainly do miss Wegman's... Quite possibly
> the best grocery store in the world.

Ace Hardware might be able to help you or Agway, as was suggested. I looked
into having it shipped from parts outside our area but the shipping cost
exceeded the charcoal price. In the meantime, you might be able to get
chunks of hickory at MalWart; they've stopped carrying lump but still carry
the hickory and mesquite chunks, as well as briquets. If you really get
stuck, use them, although they're not lump to say the least. You're not
really that upstate; I'm sure there's a Home Despot or MalWart near enough
to drive to.

Jack

On 30 Oct 2003 12:53:12 -0800, (CHL) wrote:

>Kamado only has the
>extruded coconut in stock which I'm adding to the order but I don't
>want to use it during the breakin period and I may not like the
>flavor.

Why not use the lump? You are going to do some pork butts during the
break-in, right? No reason not to.

--
Kevin S. Wilson
Tech Writer at a University Somewhere in Idaho
"Who put these fingerprints on my imagination?"

have K add some to your order

CHL wrote:
> wrote in message et>...
>
>>CHL wrote:
>>
>
> Well... here's where upstate, NY is relative. Anything above 14th
> street is upstate, NY to some. For me it's Dutchess County. Having
> grown up in Western NY I certainly do miss Wegman's... Quite possibly
> the best grocery store in the world.

Well, there are 3 or 4 Wegman's in New Jersey already, so I'm surprised
they skipped the Hudson Valley on their way down here.

The other alternative I have in New Jersey are the many Portuguese
communities. All the "mom and pop" groceries in Portuguese areas seem
to sell lump, and it's cheap too. I was paying $8 for 20 pounds for
Royal Oak from a store in South River for years. The last time I went
they had Brazilian (!)lump for the same price, with some the biggest
chunks of charcoal I've ever seen. Brand name was Carvao Assatudo,
imported by All Brazil Import & Export, Harrison NJ
). If you've got a town or city nearby with a
Portuguese neighborhood, check 'em out.

I'd also check the Walmart's- but their prices for lump is high,
comparatively- I've seen pallets of the stuff just sitting there all
year 'round in their outdoor area.

And as for the upscale BBQ places someone else suggested- there's a
Green Egg dealer in Lawrenceville, NJ on US Route 1 that sells very
upscale and expensive outdoor furniture, etc. I went in one time to
check their price on lump (and looked at the Green Eggs to compare to my
K) and he said they sell lump for $20 for a bag (altho' they said the
bag was 50 pounds but I kind doubt that- since 20 seems to be the norm).

Liberty Ice and Charcoal on Commerce Avenue in Albany is where I get my
lump - they have 20 lb bags of Humphrey, which is "100% hardwood", for
$9.00/bag.

I'd suggest a trip to Albany with a pickup truck and a hundred bucks, which
will most likely get you 12 bags including the tax. They have knocked off a
few bucks in the winter months because they have a warehouse full and
nobody's buyin'.

Jon E


"CHL" > wrote in message
om...
> OK... all the stores and homecenters in upstate NY have cleared out
> their summer stuff and I can't buy ANY charcoal let alone lump (lump
> was always hard to come by these parts anyway). Kamado only has the
> extruded coconut in stock which I'm adding to the order but I don't
> want to use it during the breakin period and I may not like the
> flavor.
>
> So.. where to buy some good quality lump and have it shipped to
> upstate NY for a reasonable price? I figure I need ~50# or so to get
> through the winter. I could also use some fire starter blocks as
> well.

Kevin S. Wilson > wrote in message >. ..
> On 30 Oct 2003 12:53:12 -0800, (CHL) wrote:
>
> Why not use the lump? You are going to do some pork butts during the
> break-in, right? No reason not to.

Here's the breakin procedure I was going to use...

1. full charcoal load 250*c burn with all ss parts and the damper
threads well coated with peanut oil.
2. several low and slow cooks (pork butts, brisket, ribs...)
3. Once the K has 100 hrs+ burn-in time at low temps and I'm
comfortable that all the moisture has been baked out I'll do a high
temp cook (steak), once again coating all s/s parts with peanut oil.
4. After the first high temp cook I'll coat the tile with a good
quality tile sealer.

Sound good?

"Jon Endres, PE" > wrote in message >...
> Liberty Ice and Charcoal on Commerce Avenue in Albany is where I get my
> lump - they have 20 lb bags of Humphrey, which is "100% hardwood", for
> $9.00/bag.
>
> I'd suggest a trip to Albany with a pickup truck and a hundred bucks, which
> will most likely get you 12 bags including the tax. They have knocked off a
> few bucks in the winter months because they have a warehouse full and
> nobody's buyin'.
>
> Jon E
>
Cool... My sister lives up in Albany and they'll be visiting me this
weekend, I'll have her pick up the charcoal for me. Thanks for the
tip!!!

On 3 Nov 2003 07:10:34 -0800, (CHL) wrote:

>Kevin S. Wilson > wrote in message >. ..
>> On 30 Oct 2003 12:53:12 -0800, (CHL) wrote:
>>
>> Why not use the lump? You are going to do some pork butts during the
>> break-in, right? No reason not to.
>
>Here's the breakin procedure I was going to use...
>
>1. full charcoal load 250*c burn with all ss parts and the damper
>threads well coated with peanut oil.
>2. several low and slow cooks (pork butts, brisket, ribs...)
>3. Once the K has 100 hrs+ burn-in time at low temps and I'm
>comfortable that all the moisture has been baked out I'll do a high
>temp cook (steak), once again coating all s/s parts with peanut oil.
>4. After the first high temp cook I'll coat the tile with a good
>quality tile sealer.
>
>Sound good?

Seems consistent with the recommendations in the user manual, though I
haven't looked at it recently. You might search the kamado forum for a
discussion of the pros and cons of using a grout sealer (I assume you
meant grout sealer).

--
Kevin S. Wilson
Tech Writer at a University Somewhere in Idaho
"Who put these fingerprints on my imagination?"