Economic alternative to Big Green Egg Charcoal?

[Turbozag]

I know, I know....


Over a grand on a grill and then complain about the $25 a bag charcoal....

But... I gotta be "that" guy...

Is there a cheaper alternative that is commonly available?

I bought a bag of the BGE brand yesterday, $25 plus tax... I figure I get about 5 FULL grills worth on a Medium size BGE.

I also picked up some "Byron's But Rub"... Anyone try it?

[EricPeterson]

You could try buying bulk coal, like for a coal fire furnace I guess, not sure if it works the same though.

[jawjatek]

You're getting hosed. I buy it for around $18. Coal won't work - it has to be lump charcoal, but it doesn't have to be BGE brand. I've used Cowboy and other no-name brands of lump charcoal with no issues.

[direwolf]

Walmart. Not to derail, but my issue is starting the thing

[jkbird59]

love byrons with a little dash brown sugar. just ordered some big bob gibsons ( no relation) rub and sauce.

[WhosYourPal]

Check out the Lump Charcoal Database at The Naked Whiz

[Fred Farkus]

Don't know how big that bag is but I use Publix Lump Charcoal in my smoker:

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag88.htm

$5.99 a bag

No complaints whatsoever. Works great.

Edit: Oh, and Cowboy is garbage. I've tried it and it's terrible. If you like fireworks, fast burn, and burning old pieces of furniture, get Cowboy:

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpdatabase/lumpbag6.htm

[Craig Walker]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Walmart. Not to derail, but my issue is starting the thing

Get the plug-in electric starter. Works like a charm.

[Timinator]

Best of the West mesquite or charcoal is my personal favorite. My family is a big into BBQ and grilling just about everything.

[Brett's Les Paul]

Royal Oak Hardwood Lump is the best I have found. The Publix brand is nice also. At one point in time I believe that Royal Oak manufactured the charcoal Big Green Egg branded as it's own. I could be mistaken, though. The Royal Oak is very good and can be found at Wal-Mart for $6.97. I thoroughly agree with the above poster that Cowboy brand is absolute garbage.

[Brett's Les Paul]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Walmart. Not to derail, but my issue is starting the thing

Try the Rutland brand Safe Lite starter squares. They are small, compressed carboard with a wax coating. No lighter fluid or chemical smells, burn up completely and have never failed to light my egg or Weber grill. I place three in the bottom of the egg and arrange the charcoal around them and light. I get these at Ace hardware for about eleven dollars a box. One box contains 144 sqares. They work great, hope that helps you. BGE makes an eggcellerator that uses forced air to jump start the fire or attain higher temperatures. While these are very nice, they are also very expensive and you can accomplish the same thing with a small electric fan or hand fan or a bellows.

[dhodgeh]

Originally Posted by Brett's Les Paul

Royal Oak Hardwood Lump is the best I have found. The Publix brand is nice also. At one point in time I believe that Royal Oak manufactured the charcoal Big Green Egg branded as it's own. I could be mistaken, though. The Royal Oak is very good and can be found at Wal-Mart for $6.97. I thoroughly agree with the above poster that Cowboy brand is absolute garbage.

Ditto, though I usually cannot find Royal Oak, so it's primarily Publix.

My opinion of Cowboy is not quite as bad, though, it is my choice of last resort when I cannot find anything else.

D

[Turbozag]

Wow. I hope I can find the Royal Oak at Wallys.
I'll check out Naked Wiz too.
Thanks all.

I use those Diamond brand (like the matches) fire starters that look like a giant match made from waxed sawdust. They have the red stuff on the end and a striker strip on the box like matches do.
I break one in half, light both pieces, and place them apart on the charcoal.
Works great and takes about 15 minutes to get hot.

[direwolf]

Thanks for the tips.
Cowboy has plywood in it.....yuck

[mep]

The Royal Oak works for me. I also found it rebranded under another name at my grocery store. They were having a sale for $4.99 for a 10lb bag. I bought ten bags and it burns great in my egg.