386543 Fri Mar 30 07:15:44 -0700 2007 13 7 Chicago Area 0 2434985 Hi all :) As the nicer weather is near I find myself thinking more and more of grilling outside with my charcoal grill. Currently I am grilling on my gas grill...but my lump coals are still in winter hibernation. This got me wondering...What's your favorite Lump charcoal and where do you buy it from? happy grillin' dan Fri Mar 30 07:15:45 -0700 2007 17852 gonefishin 1 2435182 Hey dan, I almost always have good results using Grove hardwood charcoal. I get mine from Sunset foods. Firing up the charcoal grill is the only thing that gets me through winter... Fri Mar 30 08:16:21 -0700 2007 2434985 86687 drake 1 2435317 I go to Berger Brothers. They are a distributor - so the name on the bag may vary. Good quality lump with good pricing. Don't forget to toss a tip to the guy that loads it into your vehicle. :) Berger Brother's Charcoal 1176 N Cherry Ave Chicago, IL 6062 312-642-4238 Fri Mar 30 08:52:48 -0700 2007 2434985 57196 Original Kman 1 2435366 I get mine from the Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette - I believe they carry Royal Oak - also have a great selection of woods for smoking and other BBQ supplies - 1147 Greenleaf Ave Wilmette, IL (847) 251-2272 http://backyardbbqstore.com/home.html Fri Mar 30 09:04:30 -0700 2007 2434985 11622 weinstein5 1 2435381 Menards and Trader Joes sell Cowboy Lump Charcoal. Whole Foods carries the 365 house brand. The Cowboy brand gets mixed reviews. I usually buy the Cowboy brand because Menards and Trader Joes are conveniently located near my house. I live in Andersonville, anyone know of another source for Lump charcoal close to my home? Fri Mar 30 09:08:25 -0700 2007 2434985 13223 amoncada 2 2436019 Hi amoncada, I'd really try and steer clear of the Cowboy Lump (which is bagged under a couple other brands). They actually package tongue and groove flooring as hardwood lump...yuk! here's a review (http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag6.htm). I found the same findings that the reviewers did in the two bags of Cowboy lump that I bought. I usually order online...but I think I've seen Royal Oak Lump sold at Home Depot or Lowe's. I'll keep an eye open and let you know where I see it. take care, dan Fri Mar 30 11:49:33 -0700 2007 2435381 17852 gonefishin 3 2450061 Yes, I see your point...stay away from Cowboy Lump Charcoal. Maybe I should fire up my leftover 4" oak flooring...would likely impart better flavor than Cowboy Lump. Unfortunately, the cowboy brand is all I can find in my area. The only Royal Oak charcoal I've seen is the briquet variety. Thanks for tip. Wed Apr 04 11:12:42 -0700 2007 2436019 13223 amoncada 1 2437016 I've stopped using charcoal altogether, for some reason I started to dislike the taste of the smoke on my food, and I've noticed it more since I started using "clean wood" chucks (hickory, apple, oak and mesquite). This is especially true in my smokers & gas grill. For the Weber gas grill I bought a "steam & chips" attachment, that's gotta be the best $$ I've spent as far as accessories go. It hold 2-4 good size wood chunks (or pound of chips) which can give me enough smoke for around 2-3 grill outings. As to where? the Internet by bulk is best here are 2 good ones: http://www.barbecuewood.com/-strse-10--dsh--50-pct--DISCOUNTS-cln-Chunks/Categories.bok http://goodecompany.com/detail.aspx?ID=612 BTW: speaking as a bbq nut, these guys have some really great "Q"! Fri Mar 30 16:17:21 -0700 2007 2434985 19135 abf005 2 2442907 I've been stuck with Cowboy and hate it. That's all I can find in the Naperville area. I'll have to check in with the place I got my Big Green Egg and see if they are still stocking their brand of lump. Mon Apr 02 10:13:54 -0700 2007 2437016 24932 Chicago Wine Geek 3 2963608 Wannamakers at Oden just east of 355 carries BGE lump Fri Sep 21 11:43:44 -0700 2007 2442907 129062 zeegaziga 2 2450083 I agree with you on the smoke flavor. I too get tired of it. My mom and brother have requested that I lighten up on the smoke flavor. It's a matter of taste. I use apple, cherry and oak because of their lighter smoke flavoring rather than mesquite. Wed Apr 04 11:15:55 -0700 2007 2437016 13223 amoncada 1 2448996 well...so much for grillin' weather :( Today is in the 20's and 30's. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr dan Wed Apr 04 06:46:52 -0700 2007 2434985 17852 gonefishin 1 2450087 The Walmarts here in Ohio carry Royal Oak lump charcoal,$4.50/10# bag. I really like the flavor. Wed Apr 04 11:16:20 -0700 2007 2434985 18205 mattrapp 2 2450572 Hmmm, I wonder if Target carries it? Walmart is far for me. Wed Apr 04 12:49:14 -0700 2007 2450087 13223 amoncada