Rubbish charcoal

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Geordie888
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Rubbish charcoal

Post by Geordie888 »

Bought some cheap (non-instant light) restaurant charcoal from makro. There are some decent lumps in there but about 75% of it will fall through my chimney starter or grate.

Disappointed.

What do you do with the remaining charcoal dust/small bits?


http://db.tt/B0SIiqx8


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keith157
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by keith157 »

I took the grate from a used disposable bbq and cut a circle out to fit the chimney, more to use up part used briquettes but I can't see why it wouldn't work for lumpwood chips. :D
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NomNomBBQ
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by NomNomBBQ »

Hey Geordie,

I use the bits that dont fall through my fingers in my little portable bbq and throw the rest away.

I try to avoid the tiny bits of charcoal and dust. I dont think they burn long enough to be worth worrying about.

Something ive noticed - try blowing your nose after youve messed around with a load of small charcoal finding usable lumps, serious black tissue

Its just like the bottom bit of the barrel you shouldnt drink :lol:
Geordie888
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by Geordie888 »

Thanks guys. Would it be worth using that grate on the kettle too Keith?

NomNomBBQ already noticed. That was after I looked like a chimney sweep, much to my better half's amusement!

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YetiDave
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by YetiDave »

I might be the only one, but I love those little bits - make a decent ring of charcoal, if you're using the minion method, then remove your charcoal basket and cover the top of the ring in all the crappy bits that fell through 8-)
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NomNomBBQ
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by NomNomBBQ »

YetiDave wrote:I might be the only one, but I love those little bits - make a decent ring of charcoal, if you're using the minion method, then remove your charcoal basket and cover the top of the ring in all the crappy bits that fell through 8-)
Actually Dave I can see that working to slow down your fire, all those bits restricting the airflow in between the charcoal making a longer burn.

Ive never thought of that.

I will try it.
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by Geordie888 »

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/outdoor-l ... al-9219433 has anyone tried this? £7 for 7kg. Currently 3 for 2. So 21kg for £14. Seems cheap enough.

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NomNomBBQ
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by NomNomBBQ »

Hey Geordie,

In my experience B&Q, homesbase etc charcoal is very hit and miss, sometimes you get lucky and its good but most of the time its rubbish, a few of the reviews said the same.

Quality charcoal ive seen people mention here is BigK or liverpoolwoodpellets lumpwood, heatbeads or weber briquettes.

Totally worth it :)
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keith157
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Re: Rubbish charcoal

Post by keith157 »

Geordie, you could do, but I think using the smaller bits in the chimney will be more effective, especially at the bottom of the chimney to ensure a good burn.
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