Large lump charcoal question for…

[LA Pork Butt]

I have a large lump charcoal question for Spinaker and anyone else who can help. I started buying B&B charcoal and am accumulating some really large pieces. I have always stacked my charcoal with a layer of large, filled in with a layer of medium followed by a layer of small for low and slow cooks. It has worked wonderfully well. Since I switched from Royal Oak to B&B I have accumulated more large than I can use on low and slow cooks. I cook on a Big Green Egg. So, here is my question.

How will it work on a low and slow cook if I load up only really large pieces? Do I run the risk of running out of fuel on a 12-14 hour low and slow cook? Is there a risk of a runaway fire because of all the air pockets created by the large pieces? Any other thoughts?

[Andrrr]

I run into that when using lump in a SnS. When I come across them I use a hatchet to break them into smaller pieces.

[Spinaker]

I have never had a problem with large pieces snuffing out. I have also not had an issue with the fire getting away from me.

I would recommend using a variation of sizes. You can also tap the large pieces of lump with a hammer to break them into more manageable pieces. I do this quite a bit. I love those large pieces in the firebox, I think they work really well on those long cooks.

TBH, I would not really worry about it too much. If you are concerned, tap them with a hammer.

[Oak Smoke]

I also have accumulated quite a few large pieces of lump. At first I thought I would use them on a long cook but finally decided it wouldn’t work using only 4 or 5 pieces to fuel a cook. Just like you the large air gaps looked like trouble to me. My solution was to get a cheap hatchet for Ace to keep with my lump. Just a tap will break them into very useable pieces. They don’t need much of a hit or they shatter like glass into a mess. I had one large piece from the days when I used Kamado Joe big block that I was able to get 5 fist sized chunks from with out making a mess.

[jfmorris]

I just pour lump into the bowl of my kamado from the B&B bag, and rearrange any large pieces so that other smaller pieces fill around them. If you have too much large, as others say - bust it up. Don't take much. I personally wouldn't save it and accumulate large chunks from multiple bags...

I've never bothered to sort my lump, and have yet to see my fire get away from me in the kamado. I am less concerned personally with big chunks than I am with too much small stuff as I get to the bottom of the bag, or if I try to reuse lump that has burned down too much - i.e. where its packed too much and air won't flow through the charcoal bed.

[LA Pork Butt]

Jim, I have never had a problem with a fire going out or running out of fuel on long cooks when stacking. I was just wondering if one might run out of fuel with only large chunks since it seemed like there would be large air gaps which in reality would be less fuel. I was also wondering if the air gaps would cause the fuel to burn faster. I have going as long as 22 hours with the lump stacked. I think all the responses answers my concerns.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Sorry guys, I am a purist....only use wood!