British BBQ Society Forums

Wade, a new member has kindly given me a bag. I was wondering if anyone ele has tried these out in the past. From reading the info from the bag and their web site, they differently look a good alterative if headbeads are'nt available.

Awaiting your reponses

Eddie

Never seen them buddy, do you have a website?

Did you get my PM?

Used them once, never again. There's a couple of threads about them on here somewhere.

I'd give them a go, just because they didn't suit one person they may be great for you. They are primarily stocked by B&Q and knowing they don't hold summer stock over the winter prices will be dramatically reduced so if they're good you could have a bargain, just try them first. Planet Barbecue also stock them, David from there really rates them.

Forget B&Q now - They have taken them off their shelves and web site until next year. Penbead have confirmed that they have ordered again for next year but will not be stocking them over the winter. Other stockests do have them but they are very expensive.

I use both Heat Beads and Penbeads and there really is very little difference in heat output or influence on flavour - The price of £4 a bag at the end of the season and the fact that they are supplied in resealable waterproof plastic bags is what makes them an attractive choice for the winter. I have now stocked up with Heat Beads but it will be interesting to see how the Penbead prices go next spring.

Adie the web site is: http://www.penbbq.com/pages/Penbead.html

Steve, what the the reason why you did'nt like them so much ?

Regards

Eddie

When I used them I found that they didn't burn anywhere near as well as heat beads or cocoshell briquettes. I used them on an Excel for a fairly long cook and they just burned themselves out too quickly given the cost of them.

They did burn very hot, can't deny that, but personally from a value for money perspective, I'd go with restaurant lump every time. I can run three cookers for a whole weekend competing off one bag of lump and a quarter of a bag of heat beads. The Pen Beads might be good for grilling and if set up minion, then maybe they'd be ok for longer runs, but I don't minion any briqs.