Onions and Charcoal?

[STEbbq]

Alright. I just saw this on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. A BBQ place threw in an onion right on top of the charcoal/wood to smoke with the brisket.

Yeah, I have questions today.

I am thinking I will throw in an onion along with the wood in my ash bucket for my next smoke. Can’t hurt right?

[58limited]

I've done it a few times, couldn't tell a difference in flavor. I think it would work better with a shorter cook like a steak, I've seen them throw bundles of herbs on the coals too.

[Michael_in_TX]

I did this with a chuck roast awhile back. I didn't really think it made any difference in the flavor, but wow the backyard smelled divine for a bit.

[SmokingPat]

I have a friend who swears by rubbing a cut onion on the grates to clean them/season them. I don't think it makes a difference, but it smells nice and looks BBQ'y (is that a word?)

[holehogg]

I do this, sometimes with onion and sometimes with lemons. Whatever's on hand. I freeze cut lemons for this purpose 😊

[smokin fool]

Did they soak the onion or herbs before, I'm thinking adding items that are too dry would cause them to burn and cause soot that would land on your cook.

[STEbbq]

It was a quick shot/line in the show but it’s possible they did.

[Michael_in_TX]

When I did mine, I did take the papery skin off. As for the rest of the onion, well, it's mostly water anyway.

[Andrrr]

When I first saw your post I thought you were referencing this charcoal. I saw it at fleet farm the other day and was thinking it was awfully gimmicky

https://www.cowboycharcoal.com/products/charcoal/cowboy-all-natural-garlic-onion-hardwood-briquets

[STEbbq]

Yeah that does sound like a gimmick.

[Panhead John]

I’m enjoying their Pumpkin Spice charcoal right now. 🙄