Briquettes vs. Lump

There is been a long dispute amongst Grillers, that use live fire, what type of charcoal is best?

Briquettes?  Or, lump?

Well, certainly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  Here is mine, and it may come to a shock to some.  I use both.  Just like a mechanic has specialized tools for a certain job, so do I.  Each has a specific purpose that is its strength.  

Lump

Gets hot fast and gives off a smokey flavor.  The cons are it has a short life and can be inconsistent on the amount of heat it generates, causing hot spots.

Still, its perfect for burgers, dogs, brats, sausages, steaks, pork tenderloins, boneless chicken just to name a few.  In the picture, you see my favorite lump charcoal, Ozark Oak.  It's the only one I've found that doesn't spark while lighting.  Cheaper than most as well.  10 lbs. bag for around $5 or so.  Locally, it can be found at Harp's and Warehouse Market.  If you don't believe me check out it's #1 ranking at http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumprankpoll.htm  

Briquettes

Gets hot relatively fast, stays hot for a long time.  Consistent heat, no hot spots.  Con is it can give off funny smell and taste while lighting.  A way around that is too not use it to reload your charcoal during a long smoke.  There is an alternative to this, all natural briquettes.  Instead of using coal to bind the formed briquettes it uses vegetable oils or similar.  Stubbs at Lowes works well.

It's best for indirect cooking that won't have to be reloaded after the initial fire dies out.  Bone in chicken would be ideal, ot anything you might bake as well, like a meatloaf or cornbread.  

Or you can do what I do sometimes, use both together.

You get the smokey heat of lump and the consistent heat and longevity of briquettes.  

To each their own.  Everyone has a way to cook, making this method neither correct nor incorrect.  

What's your method?

Dude...

Simple Home Preventive Maintenance: A/C

Let me preface this by saying I am not a HVAC professional but have noticed these things over the years and have been told by a pro this will help.

I usually do this at the beginning of the A/C season, but I guess I forgot.

Does your A/C look like mine?

Looks like grass and dog hair trapping dust.  Here is the best way to get ride of it.

First.  Disconnect power to your A/C unit.

Second.  Take off fan on top of your unit.  You need access to the inside.

Third.  Get a hose to spray from the inside out.

This will unclog all the debris from your condenser and will help with a better ventilation and then therefore better performance in these HOT days ahead.

End product.

And don't forget the air filter inside your house.  A clogged filter can put a strain on your fan and keep all your furnace parts clean for the heater.

Keep cool, like me,

Dude...

Duuuuuude....

There is a long story that goes behind the name Dude.

Long before this guy was known as The Dude from the "The Big Lebowski"...

I was known as Dude.

And still am, in certain circles.

At least 38 years ago the name was developed by my parents.  

You see, the only song my Dad could sing and make me happy, when I was an infant,  was "Yankee Doodle Dandy".  After a few variations, the name Dude was born.  I remember when I was playing football in High School and after a game, on several occasions, my Dad would ask me, "Are you ready, Dude?"  Where most of my friends heard this and just thought my Dad was trying to be cool and use the word Dude.  To me, it was my name.  But, I also knew it was the coolest nickname a guy could have since birth, and not be embarrassed by it when your Dad calls it out in front of you and all your teammates.

I only allow select people to call me Dude.  And you know who you are.  So, you may ask why call your blog the "Daily Dose of Dude" if not everyone can call you that?  

Well... There is a simple explanation for it.  I really like alliteration.  

Dude...

Picture of the Week

Taken on iPhone

Morning of 6-2-11

Manipulated by: Instagram

Dude...