We purchased a Cobb this week after many years of looking and finally jumped on the we wagon...
I have read many good things about the better longer heat from Heat beads. But for the life of me I can not source any unless I purchase online. We are west midland based.
Heat beads are usually sold at garden centres too, especially if they sell Weber BBQs. Weber also make their own version of heat beads and they are good as well.
You can get them at most Weber outlets, I think Tesco used to stock them too.
I prefer Cobblestones or I use the Weber Premuim briquettes which also give a long burn time.
I purchase heat beads online. However I have just found an excellent supplier of restaurant grade lumpwood who are based in the midlands. £8.49 for 12 kilos, minimum order of £50 so I go halves with a friend.
I am a big heat beads fan but to be honest the webber ones are pretty good too and also leave less residue when fully burnt. Most garden centres sell the webber ones.
Lumpwood can work well in the cobb but you need to use only the big lumps
Waitrose in Wolverhampton sells them but I've just fired mine up with the coconut brickets to test drive out the bbq plate - not very scientific changing 2 variables but eith the wind in Cornwall I'll be lucky to eat before 9pm (on the good side it's stopped raining today)
I have just bought weber heat beads from Dobbies garden centre in Cirencester, but I'm sure other branches have them. Reduced from £10.99 to £7.69 for a 7kg bag.