fanning the fire

fishlessman

used the paper towel and oil to light the fire this weekend and used a trash bag full of air to light the fire, 750 degrees in 90 seconds, took 2 bags of air

Open up a trash bag. Swing it up and down. Or you can try “catching the air” by just moving in one direction with an open trash bag. It will be filled with air. twist off open end and hold tight. poke a hole in the lower corner and place corner in lower vent. squeeze bag and repeat if necessary. you can even save the bag for next time

Jstroke

I want to see that on YouTube

RRP

cool - besides it's better to be called a bagger than a blow hard!

hondabbq

Jstroke said:

I want to see that on YouTube

Yeah me too. I tried the paper towel thing a few times now and I find it sucks. 
I roll it up as you say and put it in the lower vent and light it. I have used 1 sheet, 2 sheets. Layed it on top and lit. Sometimes it lights but when it does it takes twice as ling a a weber cube. I've only done it in the mini for " fast" weekday cooks. Does it eventually light, I'm sure it will, but for a fast heat up to cook a 5-7 minute steak it doesn't work like many have stated. 
Unless im absolutely missing something. Let's see it happen. 

fishlessman

hondabbq said:

Jstroke said:

I want to see that on YouTube

Yeah me too. I tried the paper towel thing a few times now and I find it sucks. 
I roll it up as you say and put it in the lower vent and light it. I have used 1 sheet, 2 sheets. Layed it on top and lit. Sometimes it lights but when it does it takes twice as ling a a weber cube. I've only done it in the mini for " fast" weekday cooks. Does it eventually light, I'm sure it will, but for a fast heat up to cook a 5-7 minute steak it doesn't work like many have stated. 
Unless im absolutely missing something. Let's see it happen. 

if you put too much oil on the paper towel it doesnt work well. thats where most fail with that technique. i only light thru the lower vent on the mini, not on the large

fishlessman

Jstroke said:

I want to see that on YouTube

closest i can find on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRZ8lxQpPJc

johnkitchens

hondabbq said:

Jstroke said:

I want to see that on YouTube

Yeah me too. I tried the paper towel thing a few times now and I find it sucks. 
I roll it up as you say and put it in the lower vent and light it. I have used 1 sheet, 2 sheets. Layed it on top and lit. Sometimes it lights but when it does it takes twice as ling a a weber cube. I've only done it in the mini for " fast" weekday cooks. Does it eventually light, I'm sure it will, but for a fast heat up to cook a 5-7 minute steak it doesn't work like many have stated. 
Unless im absolutely missing something. Let's see it happen. 

Put the paper towel down in the coals. I bet you will get a better result. 

hondabbq

johnkitchens said:

hondabbq said:

Jstroke said:

I want to see that on YouTube

Yeah me too. I tried the paper towel thing a few times now and I find it sucks. 
I roll it up as you say and put it in the lower vent and light it. I have used 1 sheet, 2 sheets. Layed it on top and lit. Sometimes it lights but when it does it takes twice as ling a a weber cube. I've only done it in the mini for " fast" weekday cooks. Does it eventually light, I'm sure it will, but for a fast heat up to cook a 5-7 minute steak it doesn't work like many have stated. 
Unless im absolutely missing something. Let's see it happen. 

Put the paper towel down in the coals. I bet you will get a better result. 

You mean to lay it on top and light? Done that. 

mshump

Put the paper towel or starter cube down in the coals a little bit and make sure your bottom vent is open and keep the lid open for a few minutes.

Carolina Q

I use the paper towels sometimes and have never had a problem.The first several times I just took a full sized paper towel, folded itin half and the twisted it like I was trying to wring it out. Then, I drizzled a little canola on it, placed it in the coals and partially covered it with lump. Lit it with a wooden match and walked away. Worked perfectly.

I also crammed a bunch of 'em in a large coffee can and poured a little oil in there. Whenever I need one, just twist it up and do as above. 

Never failed either way.

Phatchris

I find the paper towel and oil to work well with some lump and not so much with some lump.

Toxarch

hondabbq said:

You mean to lay it on top and light? Done that. 

Are you literally laying it on top of the coals and lighting it? You have to cram it down into the coals and light it.

stemc33

@RRP, if your still looking for a cheap solution to fan the fire, this is as cheap as it gets.  

HeavyG

I use these to literally fan the flames:



Foldable, pocket size. Can fan a few fires before I invariably get too close and one bursts into flame.

No worries tho - a box of 4 dozen is only $11 so still cheaper than batteries.

News2u

I don't know; they clash with my outfit.

Little Steven

fishlessman said:

used the paper towel and oil to light the fire this weekend and used a trash bag full of air to light the fire, 750 degrees in 90 seconds, took 2 bags of air

Open up a trash bag. Swing it up and down. Or you can try “catching the air” by just moving in one direction with an open trash bag. It will be filled with air. twist off open end and hold tight. poke a hole in the lower corner and place corner in lower vent. squeeze bag and repeat if necessary. you can even save the bag for next time

To quote a wise man "you are such a friggin cowboy"

fishlessman

Little Steven said:

fishlessman said:

used the paper towel and oil to light the fire this weekend and used a trash bag full of air to light the fire, 750 degrees in 90 seconds, took 2 bags of air

Open up a trash bag. Swing it up and down. Or you can try “catching the air” by just moving in one direction with an open trash bag. It will be filled with air. twist off open end and hold tight. poke a hole in the lower corner and place corner in lower vent. squeeze bag and repeat if necessary. you can even save the bag for next time

To quote a wise man "you are such a friggin cowboy"

  raincoats, luggage, bbq fan,air mattress pump, lots of things to do with a trash bag

Eggcelsior

fishlessman said:

Little Steven said:

fishlessman said:

used the paper towel and oil to light the fire this weekend and used a trash bag full of air to light the fire, 750 degrees in 90 seconds, took 2 bags of air

Open up a trash bag. Swing it up and down. Or you can try “catching the air” by just moving in one direction with an open trash bag. It will be filled with air. twist off open end and hold tight. poke a hole in the lower corner and place corner in lower vent. squeeze bag and repeat if necessary. you can even save the bag for next time

To quote a wise man "you are such a friggin cowboy"

  raincoats, luggage, bbq fan,air mattress pump, lots of things to do with a trash bag

Don't forget dead body transport when an old rug is unavailable.