Charcoal

[ibglowin]

Kamado is being used sort of genericly these days for this type of grill. The Costco unit is 24" in diameter and has the slide open damper at the bottom. I don't know of any bells that the others have but the bottom line is this has what you need, it's a good size, well made and a hell of a deal with the instant rebate. I bet they are already sold out at Costco! You snooze, you......

I just re-checked specs and it seems like the Pit Boss only carries 2 models, the PB K22 and the PB K24.
The PB K24 with 662 sq. cooking area seems to be the one sold at Costco.

My confusion was I guess bc there's another company that sells Kamado and the units are similar to the Pit Boss but have more bells.

 

[geek]

Yeah, the only reason I haven't bought it is the wife.
Since moving plans may be in the horizon then she doesn't want another toy to move [emoji23][emoji23]
The unit is definitely nice.

The other units I saw in YouTube have the bells and whistles.

 

[geek]

Here's one from Vision Grills;

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f7hBrf_vRDc[/ame]

 

[Steve_M]

So, what is everyones take on using lump charcoal vs briquettes for a low slow smoking process? I read somewhere, will search for it that briquettes are better suited for this type of cooking while lump would be better suited for grilling?

Steve

 

[Boatboy24]

So, what is everyones take on using lump charcoal vs briquettes for a low slow smoking process? I read somewhere, will search for it that briquettes are better suited for this type of cooking while lump would be better suited for grilling?

Steve

To some extent, it depends on your cooker. I think some ceramic makers claim you should only use lump in their cookers. I have a Weber Smokey Mountain and use both. But I prefer briquettes on low and slow - I just feel you get a steady, lower temp more easily. I like to do high heat with lump because it gets hotter and has better reusability than briquettes. But I'll admit, I stock up when the Kingsford goes on sale.

 

[ibglowin]

The ceramic pits do all seem to recommend lump charcoal. I think it seems to last longer and produces less ash than briquettes. I am using a mix of about 30% Kingsford Competition Briquette / 70% Lump charcoal and then a stick or two of pecan on top for extra smoke/flavor. Seems to work well so far.

You can not use charcoal starter in a ceramic pit (clay is porous) so I start my fire outside the pit with a chimney starter and then add to the ceramic pit.

So, what is everyones take on using lump charcoal vs briquettes for a low slow smoking process? I read somewhere, will search for it that briquettes are better suited for this type of cooking while lump would be better suited for grilling?

Steve

 

[ibglowin]

Wow, that guys ribs were pretty over cooked IMHO! 300F is too hot for ribs!

I like the pull out ash drawer on the Vision. The Costco Pit Boss comes with a tool that fits perfectly into the bottom vent which is where your ash ends up. Before you start your fire you just insert the tool into the open wide open vent and scoop out all ash by pulling it towards the opening with the tool and into a catch pan for transfer to the trash.

Here's one from Vision Grills;

 

[ibglowin]

Smoking good at the moment!

 

[Boatboy24]

Wow, that guys ribs were pretty over cooked IMHO! 300F is too hot for ribs!

I like the pull out ash drawer on the Vision. The Costco Pit Boss comes with a tool that fits perfectly into the bottom vent which is where your ash ends up. Before you start your fire you just insert the tool into the open wide open vent and scoop out all ash by pulling it towards the opening with the tool and into a catch pan for transfer to the trash.

I do ribs at 275-300 pretty often. They come out great. I prefer 225-250, but I often find myself shorter on time than I'd like to be. That extra 25-50 degrees knocks an hour+ off the cook time.

 

[Boatboy24]

Smoking good at the moment!

Looking good. You're killing me. I'd wanted to do a pork butt tomorrow, but it's supposed to be a real soaker here.

 

[ibglowin]

We have some chamber of commerce (perfect) weather forecast for today and tomorrow. Had a nice rain on Friday afternoon but beautiful outside and not too hot for the weekend. Today is a better day for me for an all day smoke. Tomorrow have some places to be as they say. ::

Looking good. You're killing me. I'd wanted to do a pork butt tomorrow, but it's supposed to be a real soaker here.

 

[geek]

Smoking good at the moment!

Oh man, I have no plans for cook out today....you're killing me too....

That looks PRETTY with the background..!!

 

[ibglowin]

Wait let me roll the Pit over in front of one of my loaded grape vines right by the patio.....

Oh man, I have no plans for cook out today....you're killing me too....

That looks PRETTY with the background..!!

 

[jswordy]

They used to have no limit, too, which is why I have bags and bags of it in storage still. I'll probably get some more, though... Sale is on through 7/6 at Lowe's, or until it runs out.