@null I used to use those, Kingsford briquettes. I have a friend who says "lump charcoal" is notably better.
I got an inexpensive electric smoker a couple years ago and that thing... Oh my. It makes such good meat. And I make a shitton and put most of it in the freezer... Amazing.
I'm just using basic charcoal though, nothing fancy. I'm out of these briquettes now, so i think i might look around for something nice next time and see how it does