update, ideas
The BBQ Widow had to stop at Lowe's before work today. She's followed some of the test results and decided to pay a visit to the grilling/outdoor area before getting what she needed.
She called and told me they have pallets of grills and supplies in the isles, spring stocking is in full swing. The charcoals, Frontier and Stubb's amoung others, are all now stacked on pallets on the ground level of the isle. The next isle over is grass seed and fertilizers on pallets, back to back to the charcoals.
I am really beginning to wonder if the scales were slanted against me due to the local Lowe's storage method.
I keep reading glowing reviews of Stubb's Briquettes.
If I take away the off smells following the burn, the Stubb's seemed quality made, lighting it was pleasant - smelled like wood not charcoal and it had very little white smoke, and the stuff produces so little ash.
I really had some nasty experiences with Cowboy Lump, IE: chunks of finished/varnished boards, furniture pieces some finished, melted plastic chunks, nails and screws. I've read Cowboy improved the product, but the most current reviews I find still aren't very good.
I'm more and more tempted to give Cowboy brand and their Stubb's Briquettes another chance. I don't think I have it in me to use their lump, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for the Stubb's. (as long as it's not stored next to lawn chemicals)
The Frontier lump produced some odd burning effects, blue and white flames, and was clearly produced from wood types I'm not familiar with cooking on. So even if I forget the ammonia smells and assume they came from the nearby lawn chemicals I won't be trying this stuff again.
Just MHO, YMMV - but damn that Stubb's had some nice qualities.