have read new Cobb fuel made from cocoa shells...burn hotter and longer
B u t....has anyone tried the mostly anthracite 'charcoal' from poundland and 99p stores (for two blocks) they are sort of funny shaped, with holes in them. They look almost identical to the 'Cobbles' advertised by Cobb. They are said to burn for up to 3 hours, at 350degrees. They are called miracleblaze or wonderblaze. Would they be OK on Cobb - they look as if they would fit the charcoal grid, and would probably only need to use one at a time....anyone tried them, or got any comments please?
Not tried them, but will be giving them a try. Seems to be a shortage of Heat Beads at the moment, unless somewhere has got them in, in the past couple of weeks.
as of today - noticed they had some in Range (a new store to me, just opened in Swindon) but apparently they are all over.
They had lots of heat beads.....also Homebase locally just received some in.
Also noticed some heat beads lighters - about 20 little push out wax thingees, got some to try, as Bryant and May seem to have stopped the packeted non-smell lighters which were recommended.
Also noticed some heat beads lighters - about 20 little push out wax thingees, got some to try, as Bryant and May seem to have stopped the packeted non-smell lighters which were recommended.
If you get desperate try rubbing cotton wool with Vaseline - hey presto, one really savage firelighter
I must confess that I can't see what all the fuss is about Heat Beads. I can see no real advantage over ordinary charcoal briquettes which cost less then half the cost of Heat Beads and you can get them anywhere.
I do however rate the Cobblestones - except for the price - so, Kara, I shall look out for the anthracite charcoal and give it a try.
I think that if you are going to cook a chicken or joint of meat, then a Cobblestone is ideal because of its long burning time, but for a quick barbie, briquettes or possibly these anthracite things are better.
Am I missing something
------------- Best wishes
AntC
If trees gushed blood when they were felled by meddling men.....would he forbear and let them live? M. Peake
Just back from a trip in the Hebrides and used a full packet of Cobblestones for the first time. I,m not convinced that they are hotter than the heat beads and the burn time seemed to be variable between 2 and 3 hours.
They are expensive but the big advantage is that they are ready within about five minutes rather than the half an hour you need for briquettes. I would recommend a packet for those times when you simply cant wait to get started but to also carry standard heat beads or briquettes for more leisurely nights otherwise the cost gets a bit prohibitive.
I must try these anthracite thingies.
PS although the cobblestones start quickly once you have lit them you will need a gas lighter to get them going rather than a match.
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