Quote: First chips smell right and they burn to a light ash. However, many bags have large and small pieces. Some bags we have bought had large twigs others had very small chunks. The worst ones had a couple of inches of dust at the bottom. Different size chunks burn at different rates giving uneven heat. Have found that we wasted less with smaller bags but then they cost more.
Briquettes are even in size and therefore burn at much the same rate. The thing we don’t like though is the filler which clogs the grate and stops the airflow. On BBQs with space beneath the charcoal grate the dust is not a problem but on cheaper models the briquettes can choke themselves out.
Not all briquettes are the same. You get what you pay for. The cheap ones produce more powder, burn quicker and give off less heat.The best we have found are Australian Heat Beads. It makes sense when you realise how much the Australians love barbecueing that the best fuel is made there.
Lighting the charcoal is a problem. we tried the fluids but they either dry up before the charcoal lights or flare up in a dangerous way. Ordinary firelighters taint the charcoal with a parrafin odour which if you are not careful gets onto the food. Special BBQ lighters don’t have a parrafin base.
We used to put a couple of BBQ firelighters on the grate and pile the charcoal over them. This usually worked but when if didn’t we had to wait until evrything had died down to start again. One thing which we did find - firelighters don’t store well. After a year they will either not burn or will not last very long.
Chimney starter are the best device but not so good with say a Cobb!
What do you use to light your BBQ/Cobb
------------- Life is too short So Live It to the Full
We use the Bryant and May quicklight firelighters as they come individually wrapped in a paper packet which makes them clean to handle and they seem to light heat beads on the Cobb without any taint.
However, I have only been able to get them through the cobb website. And the latest ones I ordered were smaller than previous (old ones were square these are now only about half the size).
Happy BBq-ing - let's hope we get some more warm evenings this year!
------------- Never let a kiss fool you or a fool kiss you
I use a gas barbecue, lava rock and a box of matches. Also has the advantage that it cools quicker when the gas is turned off. I do find that if I put the lid on it snuffs the gas out though, I have to leave it slightly off centre.
i cant see why barbi's are allowed on campsites ,tents arnt like houses where you can shut the doors and windows ,poor campers have to put up the the damn things ,nice for the barbi user not for anyone unfortunate to be downwind of the darn stinking things
Bought a wonderful little item years ago for lighting a barbie but no body has them these days. You could even make yourself. All it was, was a piece of mesh metal raised about 2 ins, bent across the top for about 2ins and then angled back down for 2 ins. Light the lighters put under the mesh and then put the charcoal over the top in a big pile rather than spread over the barbie. Leave to burn for about 15 mins and give a quick stir around while using tongues to remove said piece of metal. You will have a great cooking base in around 20 - 30 mins. The metal allows air through to keep lighters hot. Worked everytime for me..
By the way i found Lumpwood easier to use when camping as it catches light quicker for cooking. Downside it does not last as long if you are cooking for plenty.
I have to agree with Scarletsfan, I use 1kg bags of instant lighting stuff, just light the corner of the bag and 10 minutes later you're ready to cook, and your hands aren't covered in charcoal dust either!
I buy a sack that contains 4 x 1kg bags, each bag does me for 1 "sitting" feeding 4 or 5 of us. I usually pay £7.00 so not too bad but probably cheaper just to buy a sack of lumpwood. I just like the convenience.
i thiank that the most important thnig when buying any charcoal is not weather it is briquettes or lumps but if it has come from a sustainable source or not.
i get local grown charcoal from Booths, Austrailian heat beads are also from a sustainable source.
If the package does not tell you then chances are you are using the remains of the amazon rainforest to cook your burgers with.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Lumpwood or briquettes?
