u/Single_Helix

Charcoal grilled filet tip and crispy skin branzino

Pork loin, wheat noodles, asparagus, onion, bell pepper, and pineapple with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce

Preheat: 9/10 - stacked vertically in the chimney starter over a few tumbleweeds (with a few briquettes for good measure) 22-25 ish minutes for full white hot. Lit really easily

Temperature: 7/10 - this was about two pounds by weight of charcoal. Instructions say to stack in layers. I think I would need about 2x by weight to achieve ripping hot temp to cook enough for two hungry people plus leftovers.

Duration: 10/10 - no deception here. I cooked for about an hour including preheat time, and coals were still white hot a half hour later after smothering. I submerged them in water and will dry them back out and use again, I believe are the instructions

Cost: 4/10 - five pound box was about $22 on Amazon. Probably cheaper in bulk. I easily could have used the entire box for one medium-sized cook. Definitely not suitable for everyday use.

Flavor: 9/10 - quite delicious charcoal flavor. Only reason it doesn’t get a 10 is because I threw on some wood chips for an extremely light smoke towards the end of the cook, so flavor from the coals alone should be less I suppose.

X factor / bonus points for being quite smokeless. I had to check to make sure everything was still lit half thru the chimney lighting because there was zero smoke.

Overall: 7.5/10 - will use again for special occasions / cooks

I wanted to share a pattern I’ve personally observed at the BJ’s Wholesale in Millsboro, Delaware, as it seems to be impacting regular collectors and families trying to buy product.

What I observed – May 13, 2026 (~12:00 Noon)

A male customer was closely following the trading card stocker. He purchased multiple high-demand Pokémon sealed products (such as Illustration Collection boxes), loaded them into his car, then returned to the store and repeated the process. When I calmly asked about the situation and mentioned my background in fraud investigations, the interaction became tense.

I reported it right away to the store manager, who was familiar with the individual. I also followed up with BJ’s corporate and the third-party distributor. Both confirmed they investigated and handled it.

What I observed – June 11, 2026 (~1:00 PM)

The same male customer was back. Pokémon tins and other items were on display in the trading card section when I arrived. About ten minutes later they were gone. I saw him carrying a cardboard box with Pokémon product and checking out in multiple trips, leaving and returning to the store.

This is now the second time I’ve seen this same pattern at this location, even after the previous reports.

I have documentation (receipt photo with member ID, emails from corporate/distributor acknowledging the reports). I’m not naming anyone or sharing identifiable photos publicly.

It’s frustrating because these limited-supply products are meant for kids and everyday collectors, but they seem to disappear quickly through repeated large purchases. Has anyone else run into similar situations at BJ’s or other warehouse clubs in the Mid-Atlantic? Any advice on further escalation that has actually helped improve availability?

Trying to raise awareness constructively. Thanks for reading.

Halibut seared on stainless steel and basted with a yuzu and white miso butter sauce. Served with crispy potatoes and bok choy

Three NY strips halved and sliced, skewered, and grilled over charcoal

FWIW, I took the buyback immediately and just ate the loss because I couldn’t be bothered to be stuck with this. Not even something I’d want to PC

Chicken thigh sliced into 1-2 inch inch chunks grilled over charcoal and basted repeatedly with a bachan original bbq

Hand butchered and skewered from a whole fat cap on top sirloin roast, simply seasoned with salt and grilled over charcoal.

Pulled the redemption card for this last summer. To be honest, with Brooks leaving LIV in the winter, and with LIV seemingly winding down, I was almost certain this wasn’t going to be fulfilled. Sometimes patience is a virtue I suppose!

Pork: iberico secreto from Meat n Bone, grilled over charcoal with grilled pineapple

Crema: avocado, EVOO, lemon juice, parsley, chili flakes, oregano

Fixings are a rice with Chinese cabbage and corn all fried in the rendered beef fat and finished with a yuzu furikake