Propane Torch

WAR

When watching a YouTube video, the cook used a hand held propane torch to start his charcoal.  Does anyone else do that?  It seemed much easier than pulling out an extension cord and using an electric starter or hot air unit.  (I'm currently using starter blocks)  Thanks!

Hi54putty

Weed Burner is what you need. 

shtgunal3

+1 on the weed burner. Harbour Freight $20

stonewh

I have made something myself that works quite nicely if you have an extra propane tank laying around. Gas regulator with a brass female adapter connected to it, then a male adapter with a piece of rubber tubing over that and a copper tube at the end, clamp both sides of tubing down and there you have it. Can just place the copper in your coal and wait.

gdenby

Check out the Bernzomatic JT850. Can use either Map Pro gas, for super fast starts, or propane. The long barrel keeps the nozzle about 3' away, but overall, its light and small enough that its a lot like carrying a cane.

RRP

When I'm in a surefire hurry I will use this. I prefer this style for safety over my previous model whereby the tank was held upside down and therefore right above the intense flame! 

stevesails

Weed burner

Wolfpack

Standard handheld mapp or propane torch- works like a charm and lights for 6 months or more on a single tank and I use it 2-3 times a week

ksmyrl

I use a hand held butane torch from tractor supply. $9.99 and does a great job. I do add starter blocks if in a hurry. Which is most of the time.

Maccool

WAR said:

When watching a YouTube video, the cook used a hand held propane torch to start his charcoal.  Does anyone else do that?  It seemed much easier than pulling out an extension cord and using an electric starter or hot air unit.  (I'm currently using starter blocks)  Thanks!

I use a MAPP torch, usually with some Weber paraffin blocks. Works well. I also occasionally use my weed torch. Very cool, and satisfyingly dramatic.

Terrebandit

Get one of these.

Skiddymarker

I'm a die hard electric starter fan, but I do not use an extension cord - ever. My outlet is within 14" of my egg, 8 minutes and its going, second burn lump ready in 6 minutes or less. 

J_Que

Terrebandit said:

Get one of these.

+1 on the benzo

Ladeback69

I like using the electronic element, because I don't want to keep buying propane. It gives me time to get some prep work done.

chashans

Weed burner.

Terrebandit

Ladeback69 said:

I like using the electronic element, because I don't want to keep buying propane. It gives me time to get some prep work done.

I cook at least two times per week and it's been over a year on a single tank. "Keep buying" means less than one tank per year for me.

WeberWho

I've done oil/paper towel, starter cubes, electric element, Mapp torch and weed burner. The weed burner wins without question. Plus it's just plain awesome to use.

stemc33

WeberWho? said:

I've done oil/paper towel, starter cubes, electric element, Mapp torch and weed burner. The weed burner wins without question. Plus it's just plain awesome to use.

@WeberWho?‌ Where do you get a weed burner like that? Do you need a special adapter to hook it up to a portable propane bottle? I have a weed burner, but it's big and clunky and I only use it for burning weeds because it's a PITA.

WeberWho

stemc33 said:

WeberWho? said:

I've done oil/paper towel, starter cubes, electric element, Mapp torch and weed burner. The weed burner wins without question. Plus it's just plain awesome to use.

@WeberWho?‌ Where do you get a weed burner like that? Do you need a special adapter to hook it up to a portable propane bottle? I have a weed burner, but it's big and clunky and I only use it for burning weeds because it's a PITA.

I gave this weed burner to my dad for his birthday and he have it back to me like this for Christmas. My dad is a mechanical designer/engineer by trade. He didn't like the idea how you have to lug around the big lp tank with it. So he came up with an adapter on the lathe that will hook up with smaller propane bottles. Works handy when tailgating, camping, fests, etc. I use my other weed burner with the lp tank when at home.

KennyLee

Also use a Bernzo torch, but mine will take map or propane. I go with the propane because it's cheaper (about $3 a bottle) and works fine.  Best way to go in my opinion.

fruitguy

I use the BernzOmatic torch.  Lights super quick and uses the little camp stove propane tanks.  Not quite as aggressive as a full blown weedburner.

wkearney99

MAPP works great.  I'm still on my first canister and it's been used more than 2 dozen times.

uwing

The only thing I dint like abour using a touch is getting smoked out, going to have to try the weed burner

wkearney99

Yeah, there's the smoked-out problem, that's true.  But it's not really that bad for me on our XL.  It doesn't really take all that long to get it going.  By the time there's enough smoke to be an issue it's pretty much already going.  I have had to occasionally stoke it a bit using a Fi-Air handheld blower, but not too often.  I generally put a chunk of wood in the back/center and pile the lump alongside in a horseshoe shape along the outside of BGE.  I torch the chunk and then the two ends of the horseshoe.

An important thing to remember is there needs to be good bottom-up airflow.  I make sure there's no ash blocking from below and to use bigger pieces of lump on the bottom.  If you have a lot of little pieces (like from a left-over cook) you want to make sure they're not packed so tight as to prevent convection airflow from stoking the fire on it's own.

cactus_darrell

I use weed burner from Harbor Freight. Only issue is lump popping and actually will shoot hot chips out everywhere. could possibly start a fire if not careful. Also burn holes in your clothing and burn the hair on your head.  Almost got one in my eye. Been there done that, I close the lid now and hold torch, while  moving around the lump to light.  yoweee

wkearney99

I find some lump pops worse than others.  Wicked Good charcoal burns nicely and has minimal issues with popping.  Some stuff a neighbor gave me was practically a fireworks show by comparison.  I think it was some Harris Teeter store branded stuff.  Once lit it was fine.

cactus_darrell

wkearney99 said:

I find some lump pops worse than others.  Wicked Good charcoal burns nicely and has minimal issues with popping.  Some stuff a neighbor gave me was practically a fireworks show by comparison.  I think it was some Harris Teeter store branded stuff.  Once lit it was fine.

That may very well be,  so far I have noticed with 4 different lumps.  Once it is lit, it is fine. I would still exercise caution with this method of starting lump.

wkearney99

cactus_darrell said:

I would still exercise caution with this method of starting lump.

Agreed.

Zmokin

Terrebandit said:

Get one of these.

I have a Weller soldering torch, but it has a bigger handle than the benzo shown that will store propane, so after spinning it on to the bottle, you can remove it and it will have enough gas to last a while without the weight of the bottle.  I have never tried it to light lump, maybe I should give it a try sometime.

tksmoke

+++ on the bernzomatic weed torch from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-19425-Self-Igniting-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00008ZA0F/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413465313&sr=8-1&keywords=bernzomatic+weed+torch

$38 with free 2 day shipping (thank you Prime).  There is a major safety advantage of this torch over others - the long barrel keeps your delicate parts out of harm's way.  Additionally, since it is attached to the cylinder, there is no juggling required.  I use MAPP for much hotter flame than propane, and a $10 cylinder lasts 3-4 months using 3-4 times/week.  Light up in under a minute!!!  I also have a Looftlighter, that is now buried at the bottom of my Q-storage box.  It hasn't seen the light of day since I started using the  MAPP torch. 

Mickey

Have both a Weed Burner for the Larges and Torch for the Mini.....Can use the Torch in both but not the Weed Burner (don't ask)......