Best way to start a fire!

Hi54putty · June 2012

Good to hear. The majority of reviews have been great as well. I'm going to pick one up. Thanks.

Consider the heat gun. It works extremely well and is about $60 less.

Mighty_Quinn · June 2012

Just out of curiosity, for those who use a torch, how long do you hold it at one spot? Do you hold it there for less than a minute until the charcoal is red and crackling or longer (2-3 minutes) until a brisk flame is going by itself?

about 15-20 seconds per spot...

BYS1981 · June 2012

I use an electric starter. Maybe because it is how I remember my dad starting his weber. It might not be as fancy as some of the other stuff, but it gets the job done just fine. It also only cost me $10.

Mowgli · June 2012

Just out of curiosity, for those who use a torch, how long do you hold it at one spot? Do you hold it there for less than a minute until the charcoal is red and crackling or longer (2-3 minutes) until a brisk flame is going by itself?

1-1½ minutes when i need more than one spot, and round 2-3 minutes in the middel for low and slow.

Mighty_Quinn · June 2012

Wow mowgli...that's a long time to stand there holding the torch. I go for 20 seconds or less per spot, leave lid open for a few minutes it's good to go.

OrangeFan · June 2012

I am new at this (as you may be able to tell from my post count) but I use the same method I used in my offset smoker for a couple years. A cheap propane torch on a single, albeit larger, piece of lump in the center/top of the pile. Takes about 30 seconds tops. The fire spreads nice and slow from there.

Smokin_Trout · June 2012

I spray down the inside with lighter fluid and then use a bic lighter. It gives off that great taste and removes all the hair from my knuckles!

Normally an electric starter. When the wife steals my extension cord I go for the easy paper towel and veg oil.

Airwolf · June 2012

I am a fan of the paper towel with a little bit of vegetable oil on it. Depending on my target temp, I will leave the dome open longer for higher temp, and close it after the smoke from the towel disappears for lower temps.

I always just like a small spot in the center, it seems to spread fast enough for high heat sears. By the time I get done prepping the food, getting all the utensils gathered up, and explaining to the neighbors what this big green thing is ;-), it is ready to go.

Dakine_Egger · June 2012

Wow mowgli...that's a long time to stand there holding the torch. I go for 20 seconds or less per spot, leave lid open for a few minutes it's good to go.

I asked the question because I was wondering if I could get away with a shorter duration. Like Mowgli, I've been holding at each spot for at least 1 - 1.5 minutes until a good flame was going. Shorter duration would mean less sparks burning my skin and shirts.

tdbmd · June 2012

I use the BGE cubes or a Mapp torch.

Mowgli · June 2012

Wow mowgli...that's a long time to stand there holding the torch. I go for 20 seconds or less per spot, leave lid open for a few minutes it's good to go.

Hmmm well - it works

But I am always open for new ideas, so I will give it a go with 20 sec. next time.

(I am rather new at this, so I am still learning

)

paqman · June 2012

BGE starter cubes. I cut each cube in 4 parts. 1 pack gives me 96 pieces for 8$cdn.

my65falcon · June 2012

Thanks all I think I'm going to try the cubes first and then maybe my Matco heat gun!

burr_baby33 · June 2012

I have used nearly all of the above. Started with wax cubes, tried paper towel with oil, keep 91% alcohol on the table, have a mapp torch and use them all. They are all easy and effective. Oh yeah forgot I also use a chimney occasionally since I still have an old gasser with side burner, just light the chimney on side burner. I really don't have a favorite.

Newportlocal · June 2012

The egg dealership by my house is owned by two brothers one uses cubes the other uses an electric starter.

Mudhole · June 2012

Light saber, but if the batteries are dead, then I use the VT-1-32 C Mini Dragon by Flame Engineering......

cortguitarman · June 2012

I use my heat gun if I'm out of starter cubes. I've used both weber cubes and rutland fire starters. I like the webers because they light super fast and they are cheap. However, I like the rutlands better because they burn longer and get my fire going better.

FxLynch · June 2012

For those of you who use the paper towells soaked in veg oil then twisted, ever try making a bunch and keeping them in a plastic bag or other storage container? When I use them I make just two or three for the fire I"m starting, but it would be just as easy to make a bunch at once. The only downside to them is the mess of making them in my opinion.

Newportlocal · June 2012

For those of you who use the paper towells soaked in veg oil then twisted, ever try making a bunch and keeping them in a plastic bag or other storage container? When I use them I make just two or three for the fire I"m starting, but it would be just as easy to make a bunch at once. The only downside to them is the mess of making them in my opinion.

Sounds the same for me, but my hands are already messy setting up the charcoal. I just wash them after I get it lit. I have medical nitrile gloves. I should start using them for set up. That being said starter cubes are on my list to get.

stike · June 2012

shouldn't be any mess with the paper napkins/oil.

'soaking' in oil is overkill. shouldn't be soaking. just a light drizzle.

i twist them tight, and there is little or no dripping. should be translucent. it isn't the oil that burns. and it ain't the paper. it's the oil-n-paper

Newportlocal · June 2012

shouldn't be any mess with the paper napkins/oil.

'soaking' in oil is overkill. shouldn't be soaking. just a light drizzle.

i twist them tight, and there is little or no dripping. should be translucent. it isn't the oil that burns. and it ain't the paper. it's the oil-n-paper

I will try it with less, sounds like I will still get adequate burn time. Thanks for the tip.

chad408 · June 2012

Heat gun is the way to go I bought mine from harbor frieght for $14.00

Nebraskaegger · June 2012

I have used the BGE starter cubes, electric starters and the chimney starter but I prefer my MAPP torch. Just don't wear your Sunday best while lighting as they can shoot out some pretty good sparks!

rjm522 · June 2012

MAPP gas torch. I can light my large egg in about a minute and a half. A bottle will last a long time....at least for me....and it is inexpensive.

stike · June 2012

@newportlocal: this is all i use
in fact, this is maybe more than i use. you just want the paper to be translucent, nut not dripping

when twisted, the ends are actually still dry. no drips, no mess

in terms of time (mine, not the egg's), i haven't found a truly faster/cheaper way to light the egg. and wire to wire (getting from 0 to desired temp), only the weedburner is faster. but the weedburner needs storage, and often showers sparks like a muther.

i haven't tried the alcohol trick. but in my perverted thinking, i'm probably likely to have paper napkins or towels on hand, plus cooking oil (any oil). in fact, i resorted to this after forgetting the starter cubes while camping.

discovered too that these burn faster and cleaner than the cubes, and do not throw horrible tasting smoke 9like the starters do if they don't fully burn)

Doc_Eggerton · June 2012

@$$%^(& hurricane backup plan.

NattChukk · June 2012

I use a Looftlighter. Not only does it get a nice coalbed quickly, but you can use it to fan the flames for multiple cooks at different temps.

Newportlocal · June 2012

@newportlocal: this is all i use
in fact, this is maybe more than i use. you just want the paper to be translucent, nut not dripping

when twisted, the ends are actually still dry. no drips, no mess

in terms of time (mine, not the egg's), i haven't found a truly faster/cheaper way to light the egg. and wire to wire (getting from 0 to desired temp), only the weedburner is faster. but the weedburner needs storage, and often showers sparks like a muther.

i haven't tried the alcohol trick. but in my perverted thinking, i'm probably likely to have paper napkins or towels on hand, plus cooking oil (any oil). in fact, i resorted to this after forgetting the starter cubes while camping.

discovered too that these burn faster and cleaner than the cubes, and do not throw horrible tasting smoke 9like the starters do if they don't fully burn)

Thanks for the great response. You actually helped with with the olive oil dispenser in the photo too. That's a better method. You have convinced me to stay with the paper towel vegetable oil method I have been using and helped me perfect it.

Chubbs · June 2012

I use the exact same method above. Light the ends and make an X in the charcoal with the rolled paper towels and then stack some lump around the lit ends. Works fastest way I have found yet and it is cheap.

Sgt93 · June 2012

Its amazing how many ways there are to light an egg

Best way to start a fire!

Comments

Categories