Charcoal BBQ - best place to buy charcoal?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Charcoal BBQ - best place to buy charcoal?

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#132364 19-Oct-2013 14:44

I recently bought a charcoal bbq -- i just grabbed a 4kg bag of charcoal for $20 at the shop.

The first bbq used 3/4 of that bag of charcoal, meaning each time we do a bbq will cost $15 in charcoal which seems extremely expensive. (food was great though)

So, what is the most cost effective option for buying reasonable bbq charcoal?

1 | 2

6434 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1528

#917421 19-Oct-2013 15:07

Not from the BBQ shop. That's like buying an hdmi cable from the tv shop. You are bound to be ripped off.

Somewhere like bunnings or pak n save will be best bet.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#917807 20-Oct-2013 17:13

Similar question, where do I get fire wood that will make coals instead of just ash. This is for a South African, real BBQ where you want flames for marshmallows and "stokbrood" (bread baked on a stick, when you pull out the stick you have a hole to fill with butter and syrup).

I was at Bunnings today, they did not even have charcoal.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#917810 20-Oct-2013 17:17

I might have the answer to my own question. Are pallets untreated and thus suitable for BBQ? We have a number of them.

You can never have enough Volvos!

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#917825 20-Oct-2013 17:40

Niel: I might have the answer to my own question. Are pallets untreated and thus suitable for BBQ? We have a number of them.

You mean pellets or pallets? Pallets are probaly treated, something like h3, as they are reusable, and companies will usually pay you to get them back.

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 20

Trusted

#917826 20-Oct-2013 17:40

Niel, I think you want lump charcoal (e.g. http://www.outdoorconcepts.co.nz/foxpine-lump-charcoal-10kg), rather than firewood. I wouldn't cook over burning pallets personally.

surfisup1000, 3/4 a bag seems like a lot for a single cook. How much you use depends partly on how efficient you are at lighting them (hint - using a chimney is essential), the type of charcoal you are using and what sort of temperatures you are trying to achieve.

In terms of "low and slow", the best option is compressed charcoal briquettes - I use Heat Beads (the non-easy lighting variety) which you can get at Countdown or Mitre 10. There are several techniques that allow you to achieve lower cooking temperatures and/or longer cooking times - google the "snake" and "minion" methods for more information.

If you are wanting high/searing temperatures, it's difficult to beat lump charcoal - the downside being that it tends to be consumed much quicker than compressed charcoal briquettes. I very rarely only use lump, and will often use a combination of briquettes and lump charcoal.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 833
Inactive user

#917850 20-Oct-2013 19:25

I buy 10kg bags of charcoal for $20 from Moore Wilsons Wellington. Its from these guys http://www.commoditiesnz.co.nz/Charcoal.htm give them a call to see where you can get it locally.

Niel have you tried manuka?

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 286
Inactive user

#917851 20-Oct-2013 19:25

surfisup1000: I recently bought a charcoal bbq -- i just grabbed a 4kg bag of charcoal for $20 at the shop.

The first bbq used 3/4 of that bag of charcoal, meaning each time we do a bbq will cost $15 in charcoal which seems extremely expensive. (food was great though)

So, what is the most cost effective option for buying reasonable bbq charcoal?

Mitre 10 stocks some good briquettes (Hotrox Briquettes).
The warehouse also stocks some good stuff now and again.

I bought a few of these bags when I saw them, $13.99 for 4kg. Could not believe my luck because its the real thing from South Africa.

The good quality stuff burns a lot better. Get yourself a chimney starter to light them, I find that I use less when lighting with a chimney starter.

We have two webers, a 57cm for when we have guests, and a smokey Joe if its just the 4 of us.
The smokey Joe uses far less charcoal.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#918835 20-Oct-2013 20:40

I've found this guy close to our home, sells lots of different types of charcoal and dried Tea Tree which is good for pizza ovens so also good for a SA braai (BBQ).
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=2096026

You can never have enough Volvos!

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#918932 21-Oct-2013 08:55

Thanks for the replies -- I had another try over the weekend and probably can probably use a little less charcoal -- it is handy having a cool spot too .

Also, I can shut off the air vents after cooking and the remaining charcoal can be reused , I assume.

I reckon I can get the cost down to $5 a cook by buying cheaper charcoal and conserving leftovers.

All in all, i'm very happy with the new charcoal bbq -- certainly you get more flavour.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 286
Inactive user

#918939 21-Oct-2013 09:11

surfisup1000:
I reckon I can get the cost down to $5 a cook by buying cheaper charcoal and conserving leftovers.

All in all, i'm very happy with the new charcoal bbq -- certainly you get more flavour.

Even the cheapest charcoal will be a hell of a lot better than gas.

Enjoy it and post some pictures of your creations sometime

viking26

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1127705 13-Sep-2014 10:35

Anyone know where to find the best hardwood charcoal now? Want good bang for your buck! Thanks.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#1127709 13-Sep-2014 10:54

I through every South African knew the best Charcoal comes from Namibia, ironically this can be found at some South African shops here on the Shore. It's the fairly big heavy dense stuff that burns for ages, not the finely crushed feather weight stuff you find at supermarkets etc.

Goosey

3016 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 867

Subscriber

#1127714 13-Sep-2014 11:00

The Hotshots BBQ fuel bags combined with the BEEHIVE tube things are the best IMHO. Those beehive tube things are long lasting and give lots of heat.

viking26

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1127716 13-Sep-2014 11:07

insane: I through every South African knew the best Charcoal comes from Namibia, ironically this can be found at some South African shops here on the Shore. It's the fairly big heavy dense stuff that burns for ages, not the finely crushed feather weight stuff you find at supermarkets etc.

Any idea of where the South African shops are? I am after the bigger lump stuff like this (just bought a kamado). Have found kamado brand online but for $50 or 60 a bag which is ridiculous. Found this to http://charcoalcowboys.co.nz/ .. anyone used that before?

insane

3324 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#1127719 13-Sep-2014 11:14

The one just up the road from the Apollo center on Rosedale Road usually stocks some good stuff (leave me some :p ). Otherwise on occasion I've found the shop next to BurgerFuel, Subway, Caltex, Nandoes etc (next to the Albany Mega Center) to have some OK stuff at times too.

A friend used to buy from the SA shop in Browns Bay, but I think the place may have changed owners a few times so I can't be certain they still do.

1 | 2