Briquettes - Weber vs Heat Beads

[Pecker]

I usually use Weber briquettes, but I've used others too. I've used Heat Beads in the past, but never really thought to see how they measured up - just sort of used them and took what was coming.

I've used the Heat Beads again recently and had a bit of a comparison to the Webers, and here's what I found.

Firstly, a 'smell' has been mentioned with the Webers. I never noticed this at first, but now I do get a strange smell just after they've lit. The smell disappears after a short while, and isn't noticeable after it's been burnt off - possibly why I've not noticed it before (maybe I went inside to get the meat out of the fridge?). Strangely, I also found the smell to be very pronounced when you have a load of black residue from the briquettes on my hands and wash it off! No smell from like this from the Heat Beads, though I have noticed it on Sainsbury's briquettes.

Secondly, heat. The Heat Beads appear to me to go a little hotter than the Webers.

Thirdly, length. The Heat Beads appear to fall off a bit faster than the Webers. Half a chimney full, I found the Webers held almost rock solid for a couple of hours, whilst the Heat Beads lost maybe 10 degrees per hour, or so.

Fourthly, residue. The Webers dissolve into a very fine ash. This is a pain if it's at all windy when you're trying to clean the barbecue. The ash is also quite difficult to brush through the vents into the ash catcher. Meanwhile the Heat Beads appear to fall apart into a heavier and courser grit-like ash. Easier to clean (a lot easier), though I suspect the grit might my scratching the inside of the kettle.

BTW, the ash from my latest batch of Webers doesn't appear to have the yellow/orange hue, but I'll keep an eye on this.

Pros and cons, it would seem.

But I've still got a fair bit of both left, so I'll keep checking.

Steve W

[keith157]

I think you should conduct a taste test to see if either imparts a taste to the food

[Pecker]

I couldn't taste anything coming from the briquettes. The smell with the Webers is gone way before its time to pour them out of the chimney.

Once fully lit they smell the same and don't add anything to the flavour as far as I can tell.

But for the above reasons I wouldn't recommend using them for the minion method. If you need to add Weber briquettes as a top up at any point I'd say it'd be best to light them in a chimney first and only add once fully lit.

Steve W

[RobinC]

Pecker have you used the webers with minion method? I have and think they are fine. Like you I've noticed the smell when lighting in a chimney starter but have never noticed it post pouring the coals - I've even added unlit webers when baking and not noticed any taint on the food. The "smelliest" items when using unlit webers with minion are always the wood chunks.

[derekmiller]

I am with Robin on this one. I use the Weber briquettes with the minion method and have never smelt anything odd. Admittedly I dont sit next to the WSM all the time (well sometimes I do, but thats another story ), so cant say for 100% sure, but I havent noticed any taint with the food.
Derek.

[Toby]

Its all about reliability and whos briquettes Weber are branding at the time. Remember they actually used to be re-badged heat beads, then for about 18 months suffered the red ash, now i havent got a clue. consistency is important to my cooks hence sticking with them and promoting them.

[RobinC]

I've been using the Webers for over 2 years now and have always found them very reliable in terms of heat output and how long they last for. I know that on a full ring on the 47cm wsm i will always get in the region of 14 hours when lit minion.

Cons for me are they generate a lot of ash and can be expensive depending on where you buy them from.

Equally I like heat beads as well. I would agree with Pecker that they burn hotter and for a bit less time. I tend to buy them less often just cause it is harder to find good deals on them.

[Toby]

i have been getting a 20 hour plus burn with them consistently for the last month (was using pellets before then), however this may be down to the pitmaster IQ, its like running an oven

[Eddie]

i have been getting a 20 hour plus burn with them consistently for the last month (was using pellets before then), however this may be down to the pitmaster IQ, its like running an oven

I say it again, again and again the pitmaster is bloody good for the money.

If i had a choice between these two it would be heat beads every time.

Eddie

[keith157]

i have been getting a 20 hour plus burn with them consistently for the last month (was using pellets before then), however this may be down to the pitmaster IQ, its like running an oven

I say it again, again and again the pitmaster is bloody good for the money.

If i had a choice between these two it would be heat beads every time.

Eddie

Did you get any further with those new fangled lozenge shapes you were trialling?