even lighting xl

jedawa · August 2012

Green rookie here trying to light XL nice and even for searing. Searched around the forums and got some great tips but didn't see anything about getting quick even burn in the giant XL firebox. I'm thinking there must be a method to do it in a reasonable amount of time. Tried the natural starters and electric starter but still end up with hot/cold spots unless I wait awhile. Propane torch works ok, but does it pollute charcoal at all? (Just tried the one I use for soldering copper pipe) Was thinking of a looftlighter and just remembered my Milwaukee heat gun? Or stirring coals after they're lit? Sorry if I missed thread or comments on this. Thanks for any tips or advice...

Tjcoley · August 2012

Follow Stike's advice: http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1142299/very-fast-starting-the-lg-egg#latest

dlk7 · August 2012

Depending on how many steaks you want to sear at one time will determine where and how many places to light the charcoal. If I'm just doing two steaks, I use my looft lighter to light 4 areas that cover the amount of grill space needed for the steaks. If you use the Woo2 all you need to start is the area directly below the grate on the Woo2. The looft lighter will get all 4 spots started in less than 5 minutes. I completely open up the bottom vent, take off the daisy wheel and let it burn wide open for 12 minutes. Then I start closing the bottom vent so it holds at the searing temp I want.

jedawa · August 2012

@dlk7 Yeah, I should have mentioned that. I'm filling the lower grate on Woo2 and want to get even sear on all the steaks. Thanks for mentioning the looftlighter, that's just the excuse I was looking for to get one. Just out of curiosity though, I'll try my heat gun first.

@Tjcoley that's a great idea. I don't know how the heck I missed that thread?

ChokeOnSmoke · August 2012

I light with a electric starter and gently stir the coals no matter what I'm cooking. Gives you perfectly even heat throughout the egg every time.

jedawa · August 2012

I might need to work on my stirring technique... I've got one of these in the shop that I forgot about, I'm thinking it would work great?

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-8978-20-Variable-Temperature-Heat/dp/B00005Q7AY/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1344049599&sr=8-9&keywords=milwaukee+heat+gun

ChokeOnSmoke · August 2012

I use one of these mini 2 foot long shovels for "stiring". About $7 at any home improvement store. Couldn't live around the egg without it. Also use it before each cook for ash removal.

waltinva · August 2012

If we are grilling, I light the used lump in the chimney starter and then dump it on the fresh load.

jedawa · August 2012

Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna try the shovel stir and the used lump from starter in the coming days. As I'm grilling now I still have hot/cold spots, argh. So far I've mainly done low and slow's where it didn't matter.

even lighting xl

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