Tricks of the Trade
Jon Reid, manager of Barbecue World (barbecueworld.com) in Kanata, Ont., talks about his favourite brands of charcoal and the best ways to light them. He thinks of charcoal as an ingredient in the recipe, so he never uses brands with additives or fillers.
Carbon del Sur Lump Charcoal
“This Colombian charcoal contains dense quebracho wood, which burns hot, clean and very consistently with a lower amount of ash. It’s ideal for searing and grilling steaks.” $24.99/18 lbs
Blues Hog Premium Lump Charcoal
“This Amercian charcoal lights quickly, burns consistently and has a nice aroma from the hickory wood. It will give you that Southern barbecue flavour, so it’s great for smoking and ribs.” $29.99/20 lbs
Kamado Joe Big Block XL Lump Charcoal
“Made from large, heavy chunks of Argentinian hardwood, this charcoal’s claim to fame is its ability to maintain consistent lower temperatures for a longer period of time.
It’s perfect for long smoking sessions to do pork shoulder or brisket.” $29.99/22 lbs