Monthly Archives: June 2022

Charcoal specific to filtration purposes is called Air, Water, or Vapor phase carbon. They are manufactured in a precise manner to achieve the desired application. Charcoal made for water purification is ‘activated’. But in a pinch, you can use BBQ lump charcoal (not briquettes as they may have binders and chemicals). And here is how…

Surprisingly, this is an often-asked strange question. Those asking are really wondering if BBQ charcoal can be used for water purification or medicine. Charcoal manufacturers activate it by use of steam or hot air to erode its internal surface, which increases the outside surface area and its adsorption rate—the capacity to bind materials to a…

You shouldn’t, but you can. Firstly, here is why you shouldn’t. Your grill will fill quickly with ashes. This may clog the nozzles of your burners. And, if you are like me and not prone to clean your BBQ after every use, the ashes can absorb moisture or, worse, get wet. This acidic mush will…

Lump charcoal can last just about forever as long as you keep it dry. Briquette is another story. It is made of binder such as starch and absorbs moisture much easier than lump charcoal. Self-igniting charcoal has a year or two shelf life before the igniting chemicals evaporate. What should you do if your charcoal…

Boy, this is a controversial question among BBQ aficionados. But looking at what the experts and pitmasters say, it doesn’t seem to matter that much. Both lump charcoal and briquettes have their pros and cons as you can see below. After which we will discuss if a specific ‘brand’ makes a difference.

This is a highly recurring question on the Internet. For obvious reasons, you should check the answer with your local by-laws. Besides checking with your local authorities, common sense and safety should be foremost when handling combustible material in public. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has provided a valuable checklist to this effect: Grilling_safety_Tips.pdf…

Most people use either lump or charcoal briquettes, so we’ll focus on the process for each as it is very different. Lump Charcoal: Is typically made from leftover from sawmills, furniture manufacturers and others. It is then put into a large container, heated up to combustion temperatures, but since oxygen is restricted, it does not…

This is one thing gas grills can’t come close : Wood smoke flavor. Why is charcoal better? Let’s dispel some myths first. If you cook on high heat on a charcoal BBQ, it is very unlikely you are getting all the benefits of wood smoke taste in your food. The reason for this is high…

Yes and no… Oh, you want more? Please read through the following pros and cons of each appliance. And before your twitching fingers can start texting me a devastating counterargument for each of those, please read to the conclusion. And feel free to provide us with more Pros and Cons if we missed any.

This question comes up periodically and has to do with what is most valued by a customer. We understand it's your wallet that's taking a hit, and your budget is limited. But, you've likely heard this common folk wisdom before: "Pay me now or pay me later" or "Buy once, cry once." It means that…

Yes, it does, because a door serves several purposes. A door will contain smoke to the firebox as the draft is established from a cold start. Closed doors will keep embers and sparks where they belong, inside the firebox. If your door is gasketed, it will help control the amount of air allowed to the…