Interesting Article on Charcoal "Fraud"

[Dewesq55]

There are no brands mentioned in this summary of the study, but it has some eye-opening information about mislabeling, to wit: every bag tested, from 15 different brands, had at least some mislabeling issue(s).

https://studyfinds.org/study-uncovers-rampant-mislabeling-american-charcoal-market/

[Davek8282]

Link not working for me but I did find the article and it is an interesting read, wish they had shown some manufacturers so a person could make some decisions.

[captainlee]

Maybe try link again not working.

[dpearce]

Same here, link didn't work, but was able to find the article on studyfinds.org

So looks like they only studied lump charcoal and not briquettes. But I agree, it would've been helpful to know which brands were involved.

[OC Sandy]

See if this link works.

https://studyfinds.org/study-uncovers-rampant-mislabeling-american-charcoal-market/

[Dewesq55]

It does. Thanks for bailing me out OC Sandy !

[TripleB]

Not surprising.

[randy.56]

This comment is aimed at the study not you. Come on man!

Well done! Oh, and Thanks for nothing.
Not identifying the bad actors does nothing to serve the consumer.
You did all that work, and yet no action will be taken. The offenders will continue producing inferior products while the ill informed consumers will naively continue to support these fraudsters.
Seems like a tremendous waste of everyone's time, including your readers.

[BBQPhil]

Well taken. The only way for the study to have value is to identify the brands. The NHSTA doesn't do car crash tests and report that you will die in some cars while others you will surviive, but we can't tell you which are which.

[Smoker_Boy]

And of course absolutely nothing will be done since this is the US.

Wouldn't want the CEO's eating beans cooked in the microwave...

[Finster]

Lump Charcoal User problems 🤷♂️😂

[Dewesq55]

Yeah, and I only use lump!

[GOCS]

Let us not miss that the stuff studied was purchased 6 years ago. At that age, even if we knew the names it still means nothing actionable.

Still, interesting particularly for those of us who have been brand loyal. That loyalty may be misplaced, so consider before you pay a premium...

[Finster]

Upsetting to feel like you’ve been taken advantage of for sure.
But, if you’ve been happy with the performance of whatever product you use, does finding this out really change that? I’m not sure it would for me..

* collective you, not specific you.

[Smoker_Boy]

Finster - Yes, it upsets me.
Why?

Just more companies who lie and get away with it.

[fitzoo7]

Yikes… I’d bet pellets are even worse.

[Jerod Broussard]

Pellets have been an "oily" issue.

[Jerod Broussard]

I guess it proves it doesn't really matter WHICH wood. Wonder how many people have bragged about their strict adherence to Oak and they haven't had Oak in their bags since....ever.

[fzxdoc]

Well, I guess I won't be buying lump anytime soon. Wait...I don't use lump. Never mind.

Kathryn

[Uncle Bob]

Briquettes would probably be worse, but nobody seems to care.

[Purc]

I just bought 2 bags@ 20 lbs for $17.92 of 95% hardwood charcoal and 5% vegetable starch binder briquets for real wood smoked flavor with no fillers, chemicals or additives per the company website.

BTW their varietal wood briquets offerings state:
made with real "so in so " wood.
80-85% hardwood charcoal and sawdust
10-15% real varietal wood
5-7 % natural vegetable binder (starch)

Per their website.

I have never used lump.

As always YMMV.