Smokers: Buy your Charcoal Now, Get it Cheap!

[gblowfish]

Hey guys, if you have a bullet smoker, or like to grill over charcoal, Lowe's has a really great deal on Kingsford right now. Go to the link, put in Five as the quantity. For a coupon code, Put in "470000RRRR2997R". Make sure to set it up for customer pick up at the nearest Lowe's store to avoid a delivery charge. I got 200 lbs of charcoal, enough to last me the entire spring and most of summer, for $45.46. That's about .25 cents per pound. And that's dirt cheap. The special ends soon.

http://dealnews.com/200-lbs.-of-King...-/1027005.html

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It's not perfect no. But it imparts zero flavor when smoking, something you can't say about briquettes.

Briquettes are great for grilling. Using them in a smoker is just...eeeewwww....

Other than starting the firebox, I'm not sure folks use either. Maybe I'm wrong, but when I smoke something, I've used only wood for more than a decade.

So yes, I grill with charcoal, but I don't use hardly any for smoking.

Then again, I've seen many of the lump charcoal group use lighter fluid to start the charcoal, and that in and of itself is total fail I'm told.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Other than starting the firebox, I'm not sure folks use either. Maybe I'm wrong, but when I smoke something, I've used only wood for more than a decade.

Charcoal, briquettes in particular, burn for a very long time. During that time they're releasing both heat and fumes.

Even if you're just starting the firebox with charcoal, you're imparting at least some of the smell of the charcoal onto your meat. When you're grilling, it's quick and desirable. When you're smoking, it can build up a taste profile that's just nasty.

If you're going to use charcoal to start a firebox, lump charcoal actually works better anyway. It lights easier in a chimney and burns hotter, so it lights the surrounding material faster. Anymore, I just put some small wood chunks in a chimney and skip the charcoal altogether.

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Then again, I've seen many of the lump charcoal group use lighter fluid to start the charcoal, and that in and of itself is total fail I'm told.

Yeah, forget what I just said. Using briquettes is fine compared to using LIGHTER FLUID IN A SMOKER.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

If you're smoking ribs for 2-3 hours over charcoal briquettes, I'm not trying them...

Well then you'd be missing out on some amazing ribs. The WSM puts out great meat and a lot of people use them and have won with them at BBQ competitions. Kingsford lit in a chimney starter until covered with white ash, then throw your wood on top of it after the charcoal stops smoking.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Well then you'd be missing out on some amazing ribs. The WSM puts out great meat and a lot of people use them and have won with them at BBQ competitions. Kingsford lit in a chimney starter until covered with white ash, then throw your wood on top of it after the charcoal stops smoking.

I was messing with you dude. I'm sure you put out some good ribs.

Doesn't change the fact that I'd never use Kingsford in a smoker. On top of the flavor it imparts, there's a lot of evidence that it's not very good for you...

[Toadkiller]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

On top of the flavor it imparts, there's a lot of evidence that it's not very good for you...

Source of the evidence it is bad for you? I mean I know breathing in smoke is bad, but what kind of chemicals that are different from lump.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller

Source of the evidence it is bad for you? I mean I know breathing in smoke is bad, but what kind of chemicals that are different from lump.

Lump charcoal, if you're buying a reputable brand, contains 100% pre-burnt wood.

Charcoal briquettes are mainly made from sawdust but a lot of brands may also contain coal dust, starch, caking agents, limestone, borax, or who knows what else.

[Toadkiller]

Yeah but you said there is a lot of evidence it was bad for you. Just wondering where it was so I could read it.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I was messing with you dude. I'm sure you put out some good ribs.

Doesn't change the fact that I'd never use Kingsford in a smoker. On top of the flavor it imparts, there's a lot of evidence that it's not very good for you...

Everything is bad for you!!!!!!


/Dr. Oz

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller

Yeah but you said there is a lot of evidence it was bad for you. Just wondering where it was so I could read it.

Just Google it.

You'll also find a lot of information that cooking directly over charcoal of any kind (as opposed to indirect cooking like smoking) creates cancer-causing chemicals on the meat.

And you'll find a lot of link to places stating that burning charcoal of any kind creates air pollution.

For me, it's a personal preference. I don't like to eat breakfast cereal or white bread, and for the same reason, I prefer not to use charcoal briquettes.

[Toadkiller]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Just Google it.

Yeah I did, couldnt find anything so was asking where you found all the information. I found this:

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_tech..._charcoal.html

All briquettes and lump charcoal originate as scrap lumber.

And dude all wood smoke is a carcinogen. Doesnt matter if it is indirect or direct smoke is smoke.


I understand it is a personal preference and I have used both. I jsut take issue with you saying" there's a lot of evidence that it's not very good for you" and when asked for the evidence you said go to google.

Breathing in smoke from anything is bad for you, but no evidence that the briquettes are any different from lump or any other charcoal.

Now if you want to talk the self igniting kind that may be a different story but we werent, the sale is on just the plain briquettes.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Toadkiller

All briquettes and lump charcoal originate as scrap lumber.

How do you suppose they actually form charcoal briquettes? It may originate as scrap lumber but only lump charcoal FINISHES as scrap lumber, without any additives.

There's plenty of evidence that breathing and/or consuming the byproducts of burning coal, tar, and other things they add to briquettes is worse for you than just breathing the smoke from wood.

I suppose I can go out and prove it to you, even though it's pretty much common sense...

[gblowfish]

Everything you could possibly want to know about charcoal is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal

[KCUnited]

I like to go sugar-free on my sauces and rubs for optimum bbq safety.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I like to go sugar-free on my sauces and rubs for optimum bbq safety.

Better...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Better...