type charcoal used

[railroadscot]

I have been using lump in BGE for several years and now have a PBC that needs kingsford briquettes according to a lot of folks.
?? does anyone or everyone use Kingford in their egg? I really don't want to keep two kinds but I have not tried Kingsford in the egg?

thanks in advance

[scottranda]

The original Blue Bag is generally too ashy for the kamados (since the kamados have lack of air flow).

But, I've heard (from David Parrish) that the Kingsford Professional bag will work well in kamados. I haven't tried it myself though.

[ecowper]

No kamado here, but I use almost exclusively Kingsford Professional in both my Hasty-Bake and WSM. Temp control is better, burns much cleaner. Only drawback is that it doesn't last as long as KBB on long cooks.

[Quailsroost Smokers]

Never tried them in my egg, have always used lump. Not sure why you couldn't use lump in the PBC ? Thinking I would try lump in the PBC until it told me it was the wrong thing to do..

[CandySueQ]

I use lump in my Gateway. If you only want one charcoal, I'd go with lump.

[Steve B]

I don't have any actual experience here but everything I have read says NOT to use briquettes in kamados because of added fillers. The fillers when burned can adhere to the walls of the kamado possibly creating unpleasant tastes in the food

[ecowper]

I'd check in with fzxdoc on using lump in a PBC, personally.

[Jeff_Carley]

I use blue bag (non-pro) Kingsford for my PBC. Recently I have added some mesquite coals to the burn. I have about 5-8 good sized lump coal pieces scatted throughout my PBC basket. I haven't noticed anything different in the flavor, temp, or ash

[ecowper]

I don't have a PBC and know virtually nothing about using one other than what I read here. I do know that fzxdoc has written what most considered the bible on lighting/using a PBC.

[Spinaker]

I am with the others. I have used it before in my Kamado, poor results. Too many fillers, they plug the air intakes and snuff out the fire. For short cooks, it works fine. But for any long cook, its not a good option. They also produce a lot of ash, and its a pain in the butt to clean all that ash out of the Kamado.

I have never ran lump in my PBC but I know Jerod Broussard does.

[Mosca]

I've done it. they work, but I got the results scottranda reports: too much ash clogging the charcoal grate.

[tbob4]

I use Kingsford Professional in my Vision BBQ. It does leave a good deal of ash - the shop vac is my friend. I had bad luck with bad burning lump and the Professional burns consistently. The insulating nature of the Kamado makes the charcoal last a long time.

[railroadscot]

Thanks for the quick input. Looks like I will be a Two Coal man!

[Jeff_Carley]

look for those sales at home depot or Lowes during the holidays coming up. lots of 2 for one type deals.

[fzxdoc]

I used Ozark Oak lump a couple of times (one bag) in my PBC back when it was available. I really couldn't tell the difference between it and Kingsford Professional (these were poultry cooks, in which I prefer Kingsford Professional), ashwise or flavorwise. All other cooks I use Kingsford Original.

If I could get B&B lump like Jerod Broussard uses for some of his cooks, I would, because he swears by it. But I can't, so I won't.

I don't mind pushing the envelope, but with so many cooks with Kingsford Original for everything except poultry (and Kingsford Professional for poultry) under my belt with excellent results, that's one area that I'm just not going to push. There are other areas of PBC cooking that I prefer to tweak.

Kathryn

[Jerod Broussard]

I use BRIQUETTES not lump.

[fzxdoc]

Oh, I should have remembered that, Jerod Broussard. I know you're a briquette/briquet sort of guy.

K.

[Jerod Broussard]

Hehe Their lump is everywhere around here, the briquettes not so much.

[GadjetGriller]

I have done some research (was wondering what made the professional stuff well Professional?) What I finally found was that the Pro stuff is Lump Charcole just shaved down to a Briquette. That way you get a good even heat and cook time do to their similar size. Once I started using the pro stuff in my little faux Kamado (akron, With a heat control device) I got great even and steady heat. Lasting at least 9 to 10 hours.

[GadjetGriller]

Did Some chicken on it they were alright (not bite through skin!! The bane of all BBQ'ers) looking to do some some SL ribs this weekend. if the wind and rain arent too bad. So the short answer Spinaker is No! lol But its fun trying.

[Spinaker]

Wind and rain really shouldn't effect the PBC much. Put some weight on the lid and spray the seal point with cooking spray. This will help to seal the lid and make it much easier to run.

[GadjetGriller]

Kool Tip Spinaker I'll remember that (the cooking spray) Thanks

[Histrix]

I have done some research (was wondering what made the professional stuff well Professional?) What I finally found was that the Pro stuff is Lump Charcole just shaved down to a Briquette....

I don't believe that is correct. The Kingsford Pro is still a molded briquette. It does have a higher wood char content than the regular blue bag but is is still a mixed/molded product with ingredients other than wood char.

Here's a couple links with more info about Kingsford and a Kingsford/Weber briquettes comparison:

http://virtualweberbullet.com/new-kingsford-original-charcoal-briquets-formula-for-2015.html

http://virtualweberbullet.com/kingsford-long-burning-weber-hardwood-charcoal-burn-test-2017.html#oo

As far as using Kingsford in kamados, yes it can be done. I've been around/using kamados since the 1960's. The only charcoal my dad ever used in his from the 1960's until his death in the mid 1980's was Kingsford. I've only used Kingsford a couple times in mine in the past couple of decades. The ash can be a bit of a problem in longer cooks. However, with aftermarket charcoal grates like the Kick Ash basket I doubt that the ash would pose the same sort of problems in longer cooks.

I've only got a Kick Ash basket in my KJ Jr. but I may use Kingsford the next time I use my Jr. just to see how it goes.

[EdF]

Thanks for the alternate point of view, and do let us know how your test goes!

[Spinaker]

How do you like the Kick Ash Basket for the KJ Jr? I have one in my KEG and was going to get one for the KJ but wasn't sure if it was worth it. Histrix

[BloomHybrid]

I've been using Kingsford professional in my Kamado for most cooks, but when it comes to low and slow I still use lump.