How do YOU start your BGE?

miscjames · August 2012

While reading through the forums I have noticed a lot of methods are used for lighting BGEs. I have seen anywhere from torches to paper towels with vegetable oil on them. So I am wondering what is your preferred method to light your BGE? Has anyone done any tests on different methods If so what was your results?

As for me I just use a chimney charcoal starter with a piece of my last bag lump under it. And I just light the paper with a lighter.

ChokeOnSmoke · August 2012

I've tried most ways, electric starter is my favorite and what I've been using for a few years now.

bigguy136 · August 2012

MAP torch. 1st bottle of gas and over 400 lbs of lump. 5 minutes I have my egg at 350 degrees.

cep55 · August 2012

I've always been a fan of the chimney (w/ my WSM before I got the egg), but recently got a Looftlighter, and I LOVE the thing. It's easy, quick and kind of fun. (Seems to take a bit longer with WWE than other lump, probably because WWE is more dense, but even then it's just about 60 sec in two places to get it going).

Hi54putty · August 2012

Heat gun

Mickey · August 2012

One of the two on the bottom

Kokeman · August 2012

I use a weed burner for grilling (over 350) and fire starter cubes from the farm supplie store for low temp cooks.

JoeA · August 2012

Paper towel & oil works like a charm.

Brownie · August 2012

I use a map torch unless I'm really in a hurry for heat, then I'll use a heat gun.

jls9595 · August 2012

recently ran out of the fire starters I got when I bought my egg so I've used the paper towel/oil method the last couple cooks and I think I'll just stick with that.

MikeG · August 2012

Brownie · August 2012

@MikeG your link isn't cooperating

krobertsmsn · August 2012

I am trying to figure it out too. I used alcohol today and thought it was the best all around of what I have tried so far. I did the oil and paper towel last week-too much smoke for me. The cubes are ok-no real complaint except price if you wanna light in mult areas. I have a map torch to try. considering a weed burner...

hogsfan · August 2012

I use a chimney starter over my side burner on my genesis. The shape of the side burner makes the charcoal light ridiculously fast so it saves a ton of time. If I'm doing low and slow, I use a fire starter cube, stick, or oil soaked paper towel (whatever I have at the time.)

Brownie · August 2012

Chimney starter users. With the basic design of the egg, couldn't you light your newspaper under your fire box grate to start in the same fashion as your CS? Kind of curious as to who has tried this. Maybe it could save you a step in lighting?
@hogsfan clever idea! I always used to hate the newspaper ash mess when I used my CS for my water smoker.

Bullhalsey · August 2012

I've tried every single way, and the chimney starter by far is the best for me.

ratcheer · August 2012

I like the Diamond Strike-a-Fire sticks. I use a half stick for each BGE fire. Maybe it takes longer than blasting it with a torch, but I don't really care.

Tim

txbbq · August 2012

I use the starter cubes, but just use one cut in half to save$

Onegrecook · August 2012

Yesterday, I ran out of the starter cubes I picked up when I purchase my Egg. I gave paper towels and oil a try and noticed very little (if any) difference in the amount of time it took to light the Egg. Paper towels and oil it is. Just be sure to go easy on the oil. It doesn't take much!

Mole351 · August 2012

Electric starter

DaveM · August 2012

Half a paper towel and canola. Onenin the center for lower temp and 3 spread out for higher temps.

Phoenix824 · August 2012

I use fat wood, fire starter cubes, or paper towel and oil depending upon my mood. I light in 1 to 2 places depending upon what I am cooking and how much.

RoyalQ · August 2012

I always use a chimney over a gas burner. Lump is ready in 2 minutes.

calracefan · August 2012

I have used fire starters from the dealer (flat stick type) and have tried oiled paper towels with about equal success.

defCon5 · August 2012

Cubes only for me. I enjoy the downtime while waiting on the temp come up. Enables at least one extra cold beverage to be consumed...

seabird20 · August 2012

So far just using bge starters. But cut in half as others have said. They work well, but are amazingly expensive. The dealer threw in a box for me. I am glad to see paper towel/oil. I have used chimney but didn't care for that. Too hot too quick for me to consume the extra beverage.

Anyone know what is in the bge squares?

SkinnyV · August 2012

Finally had my first success with the alcohol method. I just use the cap and doused the first layer , then added more charcoal and did a few more caps. Maybe 5 total cap fulls used and I then went at it from the draft door. Quick light and it fired up and stayed up.
No huge fireball, no danger it was fine. I will rotate the method in with the torch that just won't run out of propane.

Austin Egghead · August 2012

We start ours with 99% alcohol and one rutland fire started cut in half.

Hillbilly-Hightech · August 2012

This: http://www.bernzomatic.com/quickfire-hand-torch.aspx

20 seconds at 3 places = 1 minute for fire

syl · August 2012

I've used the fire starter sticks for 3 years now, but have REALLY gotten tired of waiting sometimes 40 minutes to get to 500 degrees. Now I use an ounce or so of alcohol and get a hot fire lickety split, every time.

Shiff · August 2012

Anyone know what is in the bge squares?

I think they are just sawdust and paraffin.

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How do YOU start your BGE?

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