Unlit coals??

[Bradders]

Good to know I won't need to top it up that often. I'm confused even further now as the Low and Slow chap says never use briquettes. Help! Should I not use lumpwood?

[NomNomBBQ]

Good to know I won't need to top it up that often. I'm confused even further now as the Low and Slow chap says never use briquettes. Help! Should I not use lumpwood?

Now thats a whole big debate there Badders

Its all down to personal preference, I use lumpwood and pretty much always have. Ive tried briquettes and dont like the smell they give off. That being said I havnt tried any quality briquettes like "heat beads"

Lumpwood is more irregular shaped and can burn differently but I think it has a more natural flavor.
Briquettes are more uniform and from what ive heard will burn for longer, at a more constant temp

Its worth paying for quality charcoal whichever you go for.

Buy a bag of each and try a couple of smokes, see which you prefer

[RobinC]

Avoid any fuel labelled as instant light

[Bradders]

Avoid any fuel labelled as instant light

Oh bloody hell, yes. Would never touch that stuff.

Thanks NomNom. I'll try both then. Got a few bags of Kingsford lump to use first.

Bradders

[keith157]

To be honest I'd try both. I had no end of problems years (many many years) ago trying to find quality lumpwood when grilling, so stuck to briquettes. Now I know there are quality suppliers of lumpwood I still stick to briquettes as it's what I know and it's not for competition so I am happy to use them. Not sure about a site that is so hidebound as to say don't use briquettes (or any other quality product) as it could be influenced by sponsorship.