What's happened to charcoal?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:07 am
I've been using a Dutch oven for about four years and have noticed a definite change in charcoal quality and size. I bought a 16# bag of Royal Oak charcoal last week for a trip. The briquettes light easy but by the time they are about half grey and ready to put in use the grey part disintegrates into dust. The briquettes are also maybe 2/3 the size of what I could buy several years ago. I've recently bought Kingsford charcoal and they stay intact when ready to use but the briquettes are also about 2/3 the size of previous bags I have bought.
Has anyone noticed this trend? What do you use? These smaller briquettes burn up faster. Are the Dutch oven chacoal temperature charts accurate? I have to add new charcoal three times to maintain a temperature for a 60+ minute bake. Used to just add a small number of briquettes once about halfway into the bake (depending on ambient temp and wind).
Tim