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Lump Charcoal - Ranking from best to worst

Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:17 pm
Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:17 pm
I went over to Lowe's yesterday to grab a bag of the Kamado Joe Big Block XL lump charcoal for my Kamado Joe. Big Block has been the best charcoal i've ever used. Large chunks, no sparking, a clean smoke, and long lasting. Unfortunately they were out, so my next stop was to the grocery store. Only thing there was Cajun Wholesale Lump and Cowboy brand. I've used Cowboy brand before and it WAS some of the worst lump charcoal i've ever used. So i went with the Cajun Wholesale lump. This stuff is worse than Cowboy brand. Sparks like crazy when lighting, so bad, that an ember burned a whole through my shirt as i was lighting the pit (with a looftlighter). It takes all of 2 seconds for them to light, which is not a good sign, and it put off way too much smoke.

Anyway, so here's a ranking of the ones i've used that i hope will help you out.

BEST
Kamado Joe Big Block XL - Large, clean, long lasting. Not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive. Perfect for smoking or searing steaks. I've gotten my Joe up to 700+ and climbing before (not on purpose). ETA: I am starting to run into some quality issues. Also get a shite load of sparks when lighting. This has been the trend with nearly every bag of charcoal, regardless of the brand, that i've used lately. Update: Ever since i contacted customer support about the 2 shitty bags i got, the rest of the bags i've bought have all been high quality.

Jealous Devil XL Lump - Nice large chunks like Kamado Joe XL. Burns clean, low sparks, and no fireworks like cheaper brands. The only knock i have on it, is that it took a bit longer to get the coals going. It could have been the shitty BGE electric lighter i was using (and since returned). I'll try again with my loof lighter.


Above Average
Jealous Devil - Ordered some on Amazon a while back and it's not bad. It's relatively clean burning, but the chunks are medium to small. The resealable back is nice.
Big Green Egg/ Royal Oak - I've not used it personally, but my brother in law uses it exclusively. Chunks aren't as big as the Joe brand, but it burns cleanly. I was informed that BGE and Royal Oak are the same. ETA: Got around to using the BGE lump. It's ok. Chunks aren't very big, but better quality than some of the others. UPDATE: I used the BGE version. Chunks are small, but it does burn cleanly. I'd put it just above FOGO.

Average
FOGO - Finally got around to using FOGO. Chunks are big, but another fireworks show when i light the coals with my looflighter. It's damn near a safety hazard. Sparked up through the entire cook.
B&B - Not very big chunks, and you get a few sparks, but nothing compared to the bottom 2.


WORST
Cowboy Brand - Small chunks, dirty, and plenty of sparks. Not to mention, you do get the added benefit of burning limestone, buckles, and tie down straps if you don't sift through the bag before dumping in your pit.
Cajun Wholesale - Small, filthy, a fire hazard to yourself and others, and it emits a small fireworks show of sparks trying to light the coals.

Others i've not used but get great reveiews

Wicked Good - many recommendations from here and other sites.
Rockwood - also gets great reviews online
This post was edited on 7/18/22 at 1:58 pm
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
73681 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:20 pm to
I've always been amazed at some of the trash I have found in Cowboy Brand

Have used Best of the West charcoal a few times recently and have been satisfied.
This post was edited on 4/29/20 at 3:23 pm
Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:21 pm to
quote:

I've always been amazed at some of the trash I have found in Cowboy Brand




in addition to the rocks, buckles, and tie straps, i've also found old pieces of laquer finished furniture, mostly uncharred.
Posted by Pettifogger
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Member since Feb 2012
79188 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:23 pm to
Yep

I've been using big block but have Jealous Devil being delivered tomorrow. I'm particularly interested in the JD plastic "zip" bags for storage.

Isn't BGE just rebranded Royal Oak? Royal Oak is good I just never get it.
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
73681 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:24 pm to
They must be located next to a wood flooring factory. Seems like that is half the bag.
Posted by LSUcdro
Republic of West Florida
Member since Sep 2009
11126 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:24 pm to
I use Royal Oak and like it

Need to try the Kamado Joe stuff
Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:24 pm to
quote:

Isn't BGE just rebranded Royal Oak? Royal Oak is good I just never get it.


Not sure. I've never purchased it, but my brother in law gets BGE exclusively. I don't find the coals to be all that big, but it does seem to burn pretty cleanly.
Posted by The Sea Otter
Member since Mar 2019
582 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:25 pm to
The simple truth Kroger brand sucks too.

I like Royal Oak

Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:27 pm to
quote:

Need to try the Kamado Joe stuff


Nothing comes close to it, compared to the others i've tried. If anything, some of the chunks are too big.
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:27 pm to
As of a couple years ago, BGE was the same as Royal Oak. Restaurant Depot sometimes has the larger foodservice bags of Royal Oak for a good price.

If you are doing a long, long cook, Wicked Good is excellent stuff. Dense, slow & consistent burn. But it can be contrary to light up.

Cowboy is junky, in my experience. One or two big hunks, and a bunch of broken pieces..and a few literal brick chunks for good measure.
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:27 pm to
Best of the West is the worst I have used.
Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:30 pm to
quote:

As of a couple years ago, BGE was the same as Royal Oak.


Thanks, updated the OP
Posted by birddog14
DFW Texas
Member since Mar 2014
1376 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:31 pm to
Royal Oak
Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6392 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:34 pm to
There’s better than all that you’ve listed.

Rockwood and Wicked are 2 that come to mind.
Posted by BugAC
St. George
Member since Oct 2007
52787 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:35 pm to
quote:

Rockwood and Wicked are 2 that come to mind.


another poster mentioned Wicked. I saw Rockwood mentioned on another website as well as some japanese oak brand.
Posted by hungryone
river parishes
Member since Sep 2010
11987 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:38 pm to
quote:

Wicked

Wicked Good is hard to find in SE LA...but Ace Hardware carries it online. It is free ship-to-store, so if you're near an Ace Hardware, that's a convenient option.
Posted by NOLAGT
Over there
Member since Dec 2012
13529 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:39 pm to
I am a royal oak user
Posted by UltimaParadox
Huntsville
Member since Nov 2008
40848 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:46 pm to
Cowboy brand is absolute garbage.

Use Royal Oak and have been fairly impressed with B&B
Posted by Tigertown in ATL
Georgia foothills
Member since Sep 2009
29188 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 4:15 pm to
I will wait for TulaneLSU’s list before deciding if yours is crap.
This post was edited on 4/30/20 at 8:51 am
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 4:20 pm to
quote:

I am a royal oak user


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