WTB: Charcoal

[cstaylor]

Any advice on where to buy charcoal (like Kingsford)? Can't seem to find it anywhere.

[GomiGirl]

I always buy Charcoal (sumi) from either the supermarket or the combini or a local hardware shop. It works fine for weber or captain stag type BBQ's.

[Mulboyne]

Outdoor shops like those selling fishing gear usually have it too.

[GomiGirl]

Just looked up Kingsford at The Flying Pig which is the delivery service for Costco and they seem to have briquettes.

[Mike Oxlong]

Kingsford is becoming quite common at DIY stores on Okinawa, around 950 yen for one of the big bags...we're usually the last to get good stuff down here. Still not common on the "mainland"?

[FG Lurker]

Kingsford is becoming quite common at DIY stores on Okinawa, around 950 yen for one of the big bags...we're usually the last to get good stuff down here. Still not common on the "mainland"?

You can get it in Costco here. Can't remember how much it is, but it's two BIG bags wrapped together in plastic.

I bought some last year for summer BBQs. It wasn't bad, but the Japanese sumi is better IMO. Kingsford has a distinct chemical smell when burning, and the Japanese sumi tends to have longer-lasting embers.

[cstaylor]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm heading to Yokohama's Costco around 6 and I'll see what I can find.

I tried some cheap sumi from the supermarket two weeks ago as a test run on the BBQ, and the stuff burned too quickly for real grilling.

Since we're on the topic of BBQs, how do you start your charcoal? When I lived in the U.S., I used one of those electric starters, but out here I've resorted to putting the sumi on the stove to heat it up, then use a hand fan to get the oxygen in there. I'm thinking about having one of those electric starters sent over, but I'm up for any other suggestions.

[FG Lurker]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm heading to Yokohama's Cost-co around 6 and I'll see what I can find.

Amagasaki had a good supply of it when I was there a week or so ago, I imagine that Yokohama will too.

I tried some cheap sumi from the supermarket two weeks ago as a test run on the BBQ, and the stuff burned too quickly for real grilling.

Interesting, the exact opposite of what I found! Wonder why.

Since we're on the topic of BBQs, how do you start your charcoal?

Blow torch. No, really! I have one that I picked up in Don Quihote (or however the hell that place is spelt). Works a charm.

[GomiGirl]

Blow torch that works off the disposable gas cylinders - costco will have them - very easy to use.

Alternatively, lots of different types of firestarters (napalm) for lighting Sumi.

I have always used the regular sumi.. works a treat. You do need a heap though but it is so cheap that it doesn't matter.

[sillygirl]

If you have a Kanseki DIY store near you, you are sorted....

(Got my funnel for my beer bong there, too)

[Captain Japan]

Shouldn't this have been in the Suicide Party Cars thread? Just asking.

[cstaylor]

Interesting, the exact opposite of what I found! Wonder why.

Well, the sumi was two years old... burned very easily, but too quickly. The BBQ is a 22" model, so I need a lot of charcoal to keep it going.

Blow torch. No, really! I have one that I picked up in Don Quihote (or however the hell that place is spelt). Works a charm.

Thanks, I'll ask a friend of mine who goes there often to check it out for me.

I picked up a new Smokey Joe Weber at Costco for $30 (more than I paid for the second-hand big model) so I can have hotdogs on Fridays at the office. If it doesn't rain this Friday, I'll post some pics.

[cstaylor]

Shouldn't this have been in the Suicide Party Cars thread? Just asking.

People that eat my cooking may be tempted to try that afterwards...

[GuyJean]

I might be a bit late to reply, but I always use some 'special' charcoal to start the regular stuff burning.. Unfortunately, I don't know the name but the charcoal is cube shaped and wrapped in cardboard paper. The paper is dipped in oil or something to keep it burning.. I don't recommend cooking when the paper is burning though.

It looks like an old-style egg carton.. But the eggs are charcoal.. And the carton flammable.. Yeah.. Hope you get the picture..


GJ

[Mike Oxlong]

The nice thing about Kingsford is that it is reburnable. Put it out when it's still glowing, and reuse it for your next "Q"...

[FG Lurker]

Well, the sumi was two years old... burned very easily, but too quickly. The BBQ is a 22" model, so I need a lot of charcoal to keep it going.

You do need quite a lot of sumi, hopefully with some big chunks in there as well. It burns down to embers quite quickly, and then you can cook on the embers for a long time.

Thanks, I'll ask a friend of mine who goes there often to check it out for me.

Home centers etc should have them too. Anywhere that sells summer bbq-related stuff.

I picked up a new Smokey Joe Weber at Costco for $30 (more than I paid for the second-hand big model)

I saw those last time I was there too. Was tempted! It'd be nice to have a small one around too...

so I can have hotdogs on Fridays at the office. If it doesn't rain this Friday, I'll post some pics.

Had my first two BBQs of the year over the long weekend in March... Nothing like well BBQ'd steak!

[GomiGirl]

Sounds like you should have bought a gas BBQ..

[Going home]

Since we're on the topic of BBQs, how do you start your charcoal?

When I sold the BBQ to you I gave you a Chimney Charcoal Starter with it,
(It's the Big round metal thing), Just put some good Charcoal in it, (Like Kingsford) with a bit of paper under it.

No starter fluid is needed (But it's ok to add a little bit)
You will be surprised, it works really well.

Good Luck.

[cstaylor]

Sounds like you should have bought a gas BBQ..

That's what I had in the U.S. They're great if you've got a place set aside for it, but our backyard here is too small for something like that.

[cstaylor]

A couple of months later, I had my first successful BBQ with my mini-weber, thanks to Going Home's Chimney starter and GuyJean's starter bricks.

[Charles]

A couple of months later, I had my first successful BBQ with my mini-weber, thanks to Going Home's Chimney starter and GuyJean's starter bricks.

That doesn't look like enough charcoal, but I can understand why you might skimp on the charcoal if it's expensive or hard to get. If you only want a small fire, it might be more economical to get a smaller grill. I have a Weber Go-Anywhere, it saves a lot of charcoal, it's designed (like all the Webers) so you can close the vents to snuff the coals and reuse them the next time. I can save about half the coals for a second burn. Very economical.

[cstaylor]

It doesn't look like a lot of charcoal, but it was enough for the sausages. When I try hamburgers, I'll make sure to double the load.

I was looking at that portable weber BBQ. Does it work well for you?

[Charles]

I was looking at that portable weber BBQ. Does it work well for you?

Yeah, I love it. It's a lot like what Americans call a Hibachi, which of course is nothing like a real hibachi. I like it because it's small, and I usually cook just for myself or maybe 2 or 3 people total.. although come to think of it, I did once put a couple of big frying pans on it and make big batches of yakisoba at a party. Anyway, it uses very little charcoal, and snuffs out quickly so you save the charcoal for later. Since the lid encloses a small space, it heats well even with a smaller charcoal bed, unlike the big Webers with the huge dome that you could smoke a whole turkey underneath.. that takes a lot of fuel.