A few questions, answered plainly
Real wood. Real fire. Real food.
How is lump charcoal different from briquettes?Briquettes are compressed charcoal dust mixed with binders, usually sodium nitrate or starch, and sometimes limestone to make them look white when ready. Lump charcoal is just carbonized wood. It burns hotter, produces less ash, and does not have the chemical smell that briquettes give off when they first light. The tradeoff is that lump is less uniform, so managing a long, steady cook takes a bit more attention.
Why does your charcoal cost more than the store brands?The earthen-kiln method is slow and produces less charcoal per cord of wood than industrial steel retorts. We also source from specific managed stands rather than buying whatever is cheapest on the commodity market. And we check bag weights. None of that is free. If you cook regularly over charcoal, the cost difference per session is small, and the difference in how the food tastes is not.
How should I store the charcoal?Keep it dry. Charcoal absorbs moisture and will be harder to light if it gets wet. A sealed bag in a garage or shed is fine. If a bag does get wet, spread the charcoal out in the sun for a day and it will usually recover. Do not store it in a metal can with a tight lid in a hot environment, because pressure can build.
Do you ship to all 50 states?We ship to the contiguous 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii are not currently available because the freight cost makes the order price unreasonable. If you are in Alaska or Hawaii and want to work something out, email us and we will see what we can do.
Can I pick up locally?Yes. The production yard is at 4812 Edgewood Ranch Road, Edgewood, NM 87015. Pickup is available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 am to 2 pm. No appointment needed. Cash or card accepted on site.