536013 Sun Jul 06 16:43:33 -0700 2008 8 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 3843232 I've done some web research looking for charcoal briquettes that don't contain coal and other nasty things (I use lump charcoal for most grilling but briquettes work a lot better if you're going to slow cook something). The one name that comes up is Nature Glo - pure hickory charcoal with corn starch as a binder, manufactured by Hickory Specialties in Tennessee. Trouble is, I haven't been able to find a local Bay Area source and the shipping charge for mail order is exorbitant. Any serious grillers/bbq-ers out there, that can help me find this stuff, preferably in the Oakland/Berkeley area? Sun Jul 06 16:43:34 -0700 2008 34972 zenduck 1 3844714 On the contrary, lump works GREAT for low and slow. It takes a little bit of practice, but give it a try...you'll be pleased. Just control the flow of fresh air to the firebox by closing the intake vent (start about halfway closed)...you want a small, hot fire. Leave the exhaust vent wide open. If you close the exhaust vent, you'll choke the fire and you'll encourage creosote buildup in the cooker and on your food. Mon Jul 07 08:18:02 -0700 2008 3843232 13700 ricepad 2 3857141 I have to agree with ricepad Lump is better than briquettes for low and slow. You might be dumping your lump into the firebox like you would for briquettes and that might be the reason why it burns fast. The trick is how you pack in the lump. I dunno what kind of set up you have going but the method I use is great for a Big Green Egg (you can do the same with your firebox): 1. Open up your bag of lump and separate into 3 piles...Large, medium, small 2. Place large pieces in first and treat it like a puzzle to fit pieces together 3. Take your medium pieces and then fit them into the cracks and crevices 4. Take your small pieces and do the same as the medium pieces By now you should have a really compact firebox of coals that shouldn't move when you press down on them. If you light the middle and manage the vents well, then your coal will burn for a long time. Thu Jul 10 13:34:35 -0700 2008 3844714 76488 EnderWiggin 1 3851034 I found this note in the barbecue folder on my computer, but I have no idea where it came from. Lazzari of course is the company that supplies the mesquite charcoal you find everywhere. ----------------- Just go to Lazzari on Bayshore at Industrial near the San Francisco-Brisbane border. Drive into their yard and go up the rickety stairs in the warehouse. They'll sell you chips, firewood, wood chunks, lump mesquite charcoal, or excellent hardwood charcoal briquettes at very low prices. Lazzari Fuel Company 11 Industrial Way Brisbane, CA 94005 415-467-2970 or 800-242-7265 Fax: 415-468-2298 Email: info@lazzari.com http://www.lazzari.com Tue Jul 08 21:32:03 -0700 2008 3843232 10724 Mick Ruthven 2 3852194 That note came from me. My husband and I have been going there for many years and have always been pleased with the results we get when using Lazzari products. Wed Jul 09 09:03:49 -0700 2008 3851034 10644 Nancy Berry 3 3852254 I'll second (or third) Lazzari. They now carry natural briquettes, as well as mesquite and hardwood lump. They have also improved their screening process to boot. Unlike the OP, I will occasionally use briquettes for grilling (out of convenience), but always use lump for low & slow BBQ. At a specified temp, the lack of ash & binder permits the lump to burn longer. p.s. the great prices at the distributorship in Brisbane is worth the trip from the east bay IMO. Wed Jul 09 09:15:49 -0700 2008 3852194 13300 Civil Bear 4 3853555 link Wed Jul 09 13:55:00 -0700 2008 3852254 10264 rworange 4 3860371 I've found that Lazzari's mesquite charcoal sprays way too many sparks for me to use it any place I've lived in Marin. Do their briquettes not do that (like other briquettes)? Fri Jul 11 12:31:39 -0700 2008 3852254 10724 Mick Ruthven 5 3867164 No doubt that mesquite likes to spark when starting up. Their briquetts are made with hardwood though, so it isn't a problem. Mon Jul 14 09:56:54 -0700 2008 3860371 13300 Civil Bear