Jealous Devil Flex Briquettes

[Michael_in_TX]

If it really is an oversized pellet -- basically super-compressed hardwood -- I wonder about other comparisons. Pellets burn so efficiently that there is little smoke flavor. This makes me think/wonder, is the efficiency a function of their size or their makeup?

[realdocBBQ]

It's the forced-air burning, causes super hot and efficient burn. If you use pellets in a tube without forced air, just lazily burning, you get more smoke - a LOT more. I do this when cold smoking.

[Michael_in_TX]

Ah, but of course. I do the same when I cold smoke and that tube is quite smoky.

[drobinson]

Awww man----recently switched fuel from Kingsford (used for 50 +years) to B&B Oak Briquettes---now you want me to switch again?? Dadgummit!!

[Smoker_Boy]

It's all for science.

[Finster]

never say never, but it's highly unlikely I would be a convert to using this on a full time basis. It's certainly fun to try new things though.

[Smoker_Boy]

I ordered 2 bags and also some of their new "Boom" firestarters.
(they look like old-fashioned cartoon bombs)

I'll try to run some reasonably controlled tests.

Whether I tell you guys the results remains to be seen...

[realdocBBQ]

You're gonna tell us... you know you will. You won't be able to help yourself.

[Smoker_Boy]

realdocBBQ - You're right.

I'm gonna light wood blocks on fire and measure and plot how hot and for how long.

That's how sad my life has become...

[Smoker_Boy]

Well, I've ran 2 different tests in my Smokey Mountain.

Ambient was around 50 degrees or so, with a wind speed around 10 mph.
The WSM isn't in direct line of the wind, still there was some moving air around it.

Basically, these things seemed to be picky on how much air is getting in the cooker.

More later.

[briano52]

Ordered a bag from eBay. Best price with delivery that I could find. Will try and report findings.

[Smoker_Boy]

In my opinion, these things are great for grilling burgers, sausages, things like that.

But ribs, pork roast, brisket, etc., no way.
They just burn up too quick.

I wanted to like these.
I really did.
The "No Mess" thing is great.

But, I do love the Boom firestarters.

[STEbbq]

Tell me more about da boom.

https://www.jealousdevil.com/boom-firestarters

[Smoker_Boy]

STEbbq - They look like old fashioned cartoon bombs.

They work great. Nice, high flame (10"-12" or so).
Made of coconut something-or-other and burn really clean.

[STEbbq]

Fantastic. Too bad I just bought some Rutland squares. I will try and remember them for next time.

I’d have to run some quick math on cost per cook though. 24 for $20 versus 144 squares for $23.

[UncleSpike]

I did it!

I bought two 14lb bags of the Flex specifically to burn in my gravity feed smoker.

I’ll never do that again.

I filled a chimney full and lit them. Crazy amount of flame comes off of that! It takes a full 20 minutes for them to settle down to a good hot glowing coal.

I added them to the smoker. The temperature outside was just above freezing, and it only warmed up 10 degrees that day.

Within 45 minutes the chamber was at temperature, which is a bit quicker than using charcoal. I use a ThermoWorks billows setup.

I smoked a chuck roast and a pork butt.

The smoker held temperature at 230 without any problems.

HOWEVER…. It burned through both 14lb bags in 8 hours, where charcoal would have held that for 16 - 20 hours. The meat had absolutely no smoke ring, and it had a bitter smoky taste.

My conclusion is that these might work well for cooking at high temperatures, for steak or sausage or burgers or something. They definitely do not work as a primary fuel for smoking at lower temperatures.

[Finster]

thanks for the feedback.
Crazy amount of flame was my experience too, and I only lit 8 pieces.