Home Depot had the 20lb bags of JD's XL briquettes on sale when I was making a run yesterday so I snagged a bag. My first time using anything of theirs, although I've read of everyone's fondness for them for years.
LOVE IT. This stuff actually smells good while lighting, a feat never attained by any briquette charcoal I've ever tried --I'm looking at you, Kingsford, and especially you, B&B-- I don't remember Royal Oak or FOGO's smell cuz it's been too long, so can't comment directly, but I remember never being impressed with a briquette's light-up smell until these. Jealous Devil smells like some sort of incense to me, I found myself waving the smoke toward my nose as the coals were lighting, like I do from my stickburner's chimney.
But enough of how good it smells to me, how does it cook? Excellent. I didn't do any actual timed trials or anything, simply anecdotal evidence- I paid attention last night as I was lighting my first half-chimney of it for some steaks. It seems to light way faster than B&B and Kford, minimal light-up smoke by comparison, and of course had plenty o' heat. I didn't notice it lasting any longer than B&B, but I know B&B lasts far longer than Original Kingsford. But that means it smells better than B&B and lasts about as long. Check and check.
With the ever-increasing prices of Kingsford I am now experimenting more with other higher priced brands since there's no longer the vast cost difference there once was. Home Depot has these 20-lb bags, normally $18, on sale for $15. Free delivery if ordered online too. A little pricier than Kford and B&B, but great stuff for what it's worth.
LOVE IT. This stuff actually smells good while lighting, a feat never attained by any briquette charcoal I've ever tried --I'm looking at you, Kingsford, and especially you, B&B-- I don't remember Royal Oak or FOGO's smell cuz it's been too long, so can't comment directly, but I remember never being impressed with a briquette's light-up smell until these. Jealous Devil smells like some sort of incense to me, I found myself waving the smoke toward my nose as the coals were lighting, like I do from my stickburner's chimney.
But enough of how good it smells to me, how does it cook? Excellent. I didn't do any actual timed trials or anything, simply anecdotal evidence- I paid attention last night as I was lighting my first half-chimney of it for some steaks. It seems to light way faster than B&B and Kford, minimal light-up smoke by comparison, and of course had plenty o' heat. I didn't notice it lasting any longer than B&B, but I know B&B lasts far longer than Original Kingsford. But that means it smells better than B&B and lasts about as long. Check and check.
With the ever-increasing prices of Kingsford I am now experimenting more with other higher priced brands since there's no longer the vast cost difference there once was. Home Depot has these 20-lb bags, normally $18, on sale for $15. Free delivery if ordered online too. A little pricier than Kford and B&B, but great stuff for what it's worth.
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