BBQ Wars in Oakland, Cherrywood or Pressed Bagged Briquettes?

The War is on. Mike McCool of Oakland has a varity of woods he says are far superior to commercial BBQ fuel. Apple, Cherry, and Almond from orchards in California are available through out the year sold by the bag at 3001 MLK Way in West Oakland. Today he was burning Wild Plum Wood. Pefectly seasoned 2-3 year old chunks of wood were started with only the aid of some small sticks and cardboard. The fire burned with a delicate aroma and transformed into a bed of glowing charcoal. Chicken, Ribs, and Prime New York Steaks along with Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob gently cooked in the Fruitwood charcoals. The Commercial Bagged Charcoals were smelling of Petroleum Fuel still unready for cooking they needed a additional lighting. The Bagged Supermarket charcoal was not holding up to the solid wood chunks lasting Glows. The content of the commercial charcoal was not listed on the bag. The Fruit Wood fuel was half the price and just that pure Cherry, Apple, and Wild Plum cut in the perfect size for BBQ. There is a winner in this war and the winner is chunks of seasoned Fruitwood. Why? Clean lasting burn with no lighter Fluid residue flavor and no air poluting Lighter Fluid smoke filling the summer sky. We departed with smores in hand made from slowly golden roasted melting marshmellows. I looked down at the commercial charcoal now just a pile of cold black soot ash. Next week we will try the Black Cherry Wood BBQ Fuel with Tri tips of Beef. Listed phone for BBQ Fuel is 415 724-6002, open daily from sun up to past sundown.