Kroger Brand Lump Hardwood Charcoal
(rumored to be store branded Royal Oak Lump) The methods for this test are detailed on the Charcoal Roundup Page.
Maximums:
- Maximum Direct Heat Temperature: 525
- Time to Maximum Direct Heat with Starter Time: 42 Minutes
- Maximum Indirect Heat Temperature: 465
- Maximum Heat over Ambient Air Temperature: 448
Duration:
- Duration of Heat to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient: 2 hours and 45 Minutes
- Duration of Heat to 100 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient: 1 hour and 40 Minutes
- Duration of Heat to Keep Indirect Side of Grill Above Danger Zone (140): 1 hour 52 Minutes
Cost:
8.8 pounds (140.8 ounces) cost $5.49 or 3.9 cents an ounce. Given that 41.5 ounces maintained a temperature above 140 for 112 minutes, .371 ounces were used per minute resulting in a per hour cost of $0.87.
Summary:
This is a short burning but hot fuel that has natural wood aroma and lights and burns easily. Best suited for direct heat methods due to the high heat and quick burn time. It could be a great additive to briquet charcoal for a boost in initial temperature. It is inexpensive and easily obtained. It produces little smoke. Using the traditional danger zone as a cooking guid, you have almost two hours of cook time with this fuel for indirect cooking.
Suggested Uses:
Ideal:
- Initial charcoal loads in smokers
- Grilling steaks
- Cooking chicken via a combination of direct and indirect combined methods (start indirect and then sear when meat reaches near done).
Less than Ideal:
- Maintaining temperature in smokers
- Long indirect heat grilling (ribs for example)
- Cast Iron in-coal cooking
- Plank style grilling
Chart key: RED is direct heat sensor, GREEN is ambient air sensor, ORANGE is indirect heat sensor, BROWN is the difference between the direct heat temperature and the ambient air temperature. The test starts when this moves from 0 degrees and ends when it falls back to 20 degrees.
