Is Lighter Fluid Really that bad????

wmd36 · June 2011

I have never used lighter fluid in my EGG but was wondering what harm would it do. The stuff burns off awfully quick on regular charcoal and I never had a lighter fluid taste on older grills. I was just wondering if you didnt use too much and made sure the fluid was just on the lump ( and not the EGG its self) what harm would it do?

EgginTiger · June 2011

I've wondered about this myself

looking forward to seeing some of the responses to this question

Bacchus · June 2011

Yes.

wmd36 · June 2011

So why is it so terrible??

fishlessman · June 2011

never tested this myself, but with briquettes you wait til its all burning white and you can still taste it a little, with lump you dont light everything so there would be all sorts of petroleum product residue thats not burnt off just sitting in there

Rezen73 · June 2011

My guess: ceramic is a porous material, and will absorb the vapors from the lighter fluid, and release them into food later, or possibly explode.

I've never bothered cooking with lighter fluid, even when I had a regular charcoal grill. I always used a chimney starter with a paraffin block in the case of a regular charcoal grill (or a paraffin block with the lump on top, in the case of the Egg).

Weekend Warrior · June 2011

I think the concern has always been that since the ceramic is porous, that the lighter fluid would soak in and then take a much longer amount of time to burn off than it would in a metal grill for example. In other words, the lighter fluid smell may linger for an extended period of time and impart a foul odor and taste your food.

BGE explicitly says not to use it to light lump in the egg.

When their are so many alternatives to lighting the egg, I don't know why anyone would risk using it.

EgginTiger · June 2011

"yes".....well, that certainly explains it LOL

meat03man · June 2011

I think from the comment you are thinking about using lighter fluid, seriously just go but some 91% rubbing Alcohol, it's a lot better for you and the egg.

The Naked Whiz · June 2011

I'd be willing to bet that if some seeps into the ceramic, it won't "burn off" for a very long time given the oxygen-poor environment inside the Egg once you close the lid.

wmd36 · June 2011

I just use a couple of those fire squares (made by Rutland) I beleive. HAve used the MAPP torch as well.
When you use 91% do you sprinkle it around, or what??

Bacchus · June 2011

I just didn't feel like getting into it.

Shiff · June 2011

I start my charcoal using 91% alcohol purchased at Walmart. I use a pencil to poke a tiny hole in the seal and then squirt a little alcohol in 4 places in a circle about 4 inches in from the outside rim of the charcoal. Then a little squirt in the center. Wait a few seconds then toss in a match.

Alcohol burns clean and quickly starts the charcoal. It is very safe as long as you stand back a little when dropping in the match. The warmer the day, the more it evaporates before lighting and can cause a flash. In the winter, it doesn't evaporate and I actually have to hold the match at the squirt points.

Weekend Warrior · June 2011

I thought Pete was back for a second, but he'd have just typed YES into the subject line and left the body of the post blank. LOL

Bacchus · June 2011

Now that hurts. :silly:

PineTree · June 2011

Definitely using any liquid starters will void the warranty on the egg. Any liquid at all in fact.

"3. The pouring of liquids on your grill flame will void the Warranty. Starter lighter fluid is not to be used to start the fire inside the Big Green Egg."

If they recommended it they would make/sell it themselves. If you are using lump coal why would you need it? It lights very quickly with out it. If you ask me.

jaydub58 · June 2011

Now the way I read this, actually pouring liquids on a burning fire will void the warranty. Duuuuuh....that would require a pretty high level of stupidity, may also void your home fire insurance! It doesn't seem that using 91% alcohol would create a warranty issue. Right?
:ermm:

PawpawEgg · June 2011

In some of the pictures of cracked eggs, I have noticed how little the black actually penetrates the ceramic. I say the chance of the lighter fluid actually going beyond the surface would be odd.

Bear 007 · June 2011

Their was an episode on one of the BBQ shows were one of the contestants used another persons eggs that had been exposed to lighter fluid. At the judging she got hammered for having food that tasted like gas. I would never use it, just my opinion.

Shiff · June 2011

I agree with you. It doesn't say that using a liquid fire starter will void the warranty. Item number 3 lists 2 things that void the warranty:

1. pouring a liquid onto a flame
2. using charcoal lighter fluid

I use 91% alcohol and I believe the flame temperature is around 53 degrees C. Many people here use MAPP torches to light their eggs and the temp of MAPP is, I believe, around 2900 degrees C. Weed burners are probably somewhere in between.

Alcohol burns cleanly and lights my charcoal quickly.

Botch · June 2011

I don't use lighter fluid, I use gasoline. Its available throughout my neighborhood at night, makes a very satisfying "WHUMP" sound when lit, and reminds me of dear ol' Dad's cooking. Good stuff!

hey! I'm kidding!

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead · June 2011

I find that the taste is always there....especially now that I haven't used any for 5+ years.
I used to think the smell / taste burned off (except for the "Match-Light" stuff, which I have always avoided), but now realize that it doesn't :sick: .

Ripnem · June 2011

Jerry,

How the heck are you, man? I just ran across my extra shirt stash and realized I never sent you your shirts. :pinch: I'll try and get it out this week.

Headed up to your neck of the woods over the weekend, just east a bit up the gunflint, to a cousins cabin. Lets hope for some northern lights.

guzzijason · June 2011

Am I the only one who used the BGE electric starter? Before I got the Egg, I used to start my charcoal in one of those metal charcoal starter chimney things - with an electric starter rather than burned paper.

When I got the Egg, there was no longer a need for the chimney, but I got the BGE electric starter (it is shaped to accommodate the Egg better than a "standard" electric starter).

Plug in, give it about 6 or 7 minutes, and voila... you're lit. I love it. No fuss, no muss.

__Jason

nuynai · June 2011

Watched a BBQ competition from Vegas. Lady's cooker didn't come in on time, so a friend let her use her BGE. Judges commented that they could taste the lighter fluid. Competitor said she doesn't use it, only to find out that the owner of the BGE was using it to start her fires.
Chimney for me. Always works fine.

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