@stlcharcoal

VB_egger

Explain it like I'm drunk....  A video may be required. 

How do I use the small string to open a charcoal bag?  I've burned through hundreds of pounds of your great lump and still can't do it right. 

Thanks!

pgprescott

VB_egger said:

Explain it like I'm drunk....  A video may be required. 

How do I use the small string to open a charcoal bag. I've burned through hundreds of pounds of your great lump and still can't do it right. 

Thanks!

You tube. 

pgprescott

He has his delivered by the individual bag and already open. Perk!

lkapigian

I bust the bag open with my ash tool

VB_egger

@pgprescott, I have officially learned more from YouTube than I did in high school. Has me rethinking my children's education path. 

pgprescott

VB_egger said:

@pgprescott, I have officially learned more from YouTube than I did in high school. Has me rethinking my children's education path. 

It works, but you have to start on the correct side and undo the little knot. You tube rocks. 

DoubleEgger

Here you go 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NHxRwds4g

stlcharcoal

The one in the video above is for a single string lock stitch.  Our bags are closed with a dual-string chain stitch.  More secure, and unfortunately harder to open by hand.

One side will have a single string that looks really clean in a straight line.  The other side will have what looks like several strings and the chain.  Face the chain side.  The bags run through the machine to the left, so you want to start where the stitching starts......the LEFT side.  You'll see a little bundle/knot of string where the closing tape starts.  Unravel that and grab the string that does NOT go through the bag to the other side.  Pull that and you'll unlock the chain with one pull--then the other string can be pull out.

Easiest thing is to start on the side with the bundles of string, go 2-3 loops into the bag on the LEFT SIDE, cut the stitch with a knife, then grab the tag ends until one lets loose.  It's pretty satisfying when it works, but even I can't always find it without trial and error.  When in doubt, scissors are your friend. 

Mattman3969

My secret.  Don't tell anyone 

JohnInCarolina

There is this new invention called "scissors" - worth checking out.  There may even be a Kickstarter.

Hntnhrd

I usually use the dullest implement I can find in my garage. Doesn't matter which brand of Lump I can get them untied !!

VB_egger

Thanks @JohnInCarolina. Hopefully my grammar is to your/you're liking. 

pgprescott

JohnInCarolina said:

There is this new invention called "scissors" - worth checking out.  There may even be a Kickstarter.

I cannot believe a man of your pedigree stoops to ignoring the built in engineered closure/opener! Knives and scissors are for the Neanderthal! Good god man! Where is your pride in your profession? 

bhedges1987

JohnInCarolina said:

There is this new invention called "scissors" - worth checking out.  There may even be a Kickstarter.

That's my method 

bhedges1987

I still can't do it by the string

JohnInCarolina

VB_egger said:

Thanks @JohnInCarolina. Hopefully my grammar is to your/you're liking. 

It's not friggin multiple choice.

HeavyG

I quit trying to deal with them years ago and just use my always at hand razor sharp pocket knife and slice the whole top of the bags off. It's quicker and easier anyway.

I dump and store my charcoal and birdseeds in plastic containers anyway so I don't care about keeping a neat clean bag that I can fold/roll shut.

JohnInCarolina

These are also effective:

theyolksonyou

JohnInCarolina

Mattman3969

Go Go Gagdet lump opener

Ozzie_Isaac

I prefer a SAW.

theyolksonyou

It takes patience 

bgebrent

I use a laser.  Looped string is no match.

NPHuskerFL

You open the bag?  I just throw the bag in, light with a torch and let the magic happen. The string has never stopped me.  Hell strings have never stopped me

Ozzie_Isaac

NPHuskerFL said:

You open the bag?  I just throw the bag in, light with a torch and let the magic happen. The string has never stopped me.  Hell strings have never stopped me

Strings are my nemesis.  They have kept me from lighting more than 1 fire.

DoubleEgger

bgebrent said:

I use a laser.  Looped string is no match.

pgprescott

Really not that difficult!