Wondering if this is normal or if I should get a different brand of charcoal.



I use a Weber grill w/ "HEB brand hardwood mix" and a chimney starter. I used to use lighter fluid & stack the charcoal, but I recently switched to the chimney starter, and that's when the sparks started flying....literally. Any thoughts/ideas why it pops so much?

I have had to use that in a pinch and yes it sparks. Royal Oak is the best I have found for both not sparking and minimizing ash.

It definitely sparks. You don't have to use near as much as the regular charcoals you've been using, so you can minimize your sparks.

Yep you need new coal and a new grill and a new camera.

I buy bge lump and it sparks

Don't knock the weber!

Mine sparks few quite often. I pour it out and wait for it to calm down. Cooks just fine.

Some brands are worse than others. Royal Oak is a good one that doesn't spark. B&B is terrible about sparking. I got it a couple times and it looked like I had a fireworks show going on in the backyard.

best of the west from sam's club is what i use- 40lbs for $14

good mix in diff size chunks- never seen a spark

Thanks y'all! I did somewhat enjoy the "fireworks" show, but I'd rather not have it in the future.

Get you a MAP-Pro torch and stick the torch head into the coals and no more sparks. Lights a lot quicker, too.

I use Ozark Oak or Wicked Good. Both brands have big chunks with minimal sparking. They are pricey at almost a dollar a lb though (OO sells 10 lb bags, WG sells 20 lb bags).