Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Youtube | Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.
Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch
looking for an inexpensive blower device for stoking a beginning fire
Options
RRP
Posts: 25,895
For years I used one of these hand cranked blowers or battery powered fans to stoke my fire from on high since I don't have electricity readily available close to my eggs. Trouble is the plastic fan burnt out and Walgreens doesn't carry them anymore. The hand crank works for just a short while and I go through one a year as the gears inside are wimpy plastic. Does anybody know a source for similar devices? I tried fireplace bellows once and did not like the results. TIA
Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
Comments
-
air matress pump, you can buy a rechargable one and leave it plugged in in the garage or where ever
fukahwee maineyou can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it -
Funny you posted this today.... I had the same thoughts to help mature the coals without blowing everything around.
I just made one out of a 12v computer fan and a piece of metal.... I had both laying around. I hooked it up to a 9v DC power supply, left over from some electronic thing. The metal band can slide in to about where it is---4" away and can slide out to about 9" away. The lower voltage helps keep the speed down. It has a nice gentle breeze.
I will be trying it out later tonight and let you know.
-
Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's -
Washington, IL > Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max
-
I like the bbq dragon but it is expensive...____________________Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
-
@paqman ... full MSRP is high, but there are some steep discounts out there.
Washington, IL > Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max
-
The squirrel fan from any BBQ controller would work, the DIY kits have cheap fans. Probably can be run an battery. I'll promise to do some research then forget. (Auber orheatermeter)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++Austin, Texas. I'm the guy holding a beer.
-
@Jeepster47 living in the GWN, the only place I could find it was on Amazon. My dealer carries it now but at fuol MSRP + Canadian tax...____________________Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
-
Ljohnkitchens said:
BI N G O! Thanks...will order one today!Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
I hope it works out for you Ron!Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
-
Hey @RRP .. they have the one you had at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZAO58C/LBGE & MiniOrlando, FL
-
if you want to go really redneck cheap
take a trash bag and pop it quickly to fill with air, grab and hold opening tight, prick a hole in the lower corner and place in vent, squeeze the bag tight and let it blow i bet this works
fukahwee maineyou can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it -
Honestly I have now gone thru 6 of those. They work great for about a week and then get harder and louder and LOUDER. My last buy was 3 of them from WOOT for $5 each.fljoemon said:Hey @RRP .. they have the one you had at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZAO58C/Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
Thanks for all the ideas guys, but from the reviews on Amazon it looks like that little battery one that @johnkitchens linked will be perfect for me as I like the ability to direct the air flow instead of turn on and walk away.Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
-
Please let me know how you like it Ron. If you like it I may order one for myself.Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
-
The computer fan attached to a lantern battery will work great. I've been thinking about attaching the fan to a metal duct remnant and then making the other end smaller so it'd fit in the lower vent opening. You could even get some small metal screen material for a ember/spark arrestor.
LBGE #19 from North GA Eggfest, 2014
Stockbridge, GA - just south of Atlanta where we are covered up in Zombies! #TheWalkingDead films practically next door!
-
The Coleman battery powered mattress pump is like $15 and is small and pushes a lot of air. Have used it plenty of times when in a hurry.
-
_______________________________________________XLBGE -
Ah yes, a bellows. Check this patent out for a unique bellows arrangement: http://www.google.com/patents/US580284
The neat thing is that one could hook a long hose to the inlet and then Ron could help the Missus vacuum around the hose. If you think it's far fetched - not Ron helping around the house silly - using a bellows to vacuum, you've got to visit the number one attraction in Pocatello, ID ... the Museum of Clean!!! Yep, they've got one there.
Washington, IL > Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max
-
I love the BBQ Dragon......and so does everyone that has bought them from me so far. The kicker is the adjustable fan. So if you're shooting for a low and slow, or have a lot of ash, you can just barely have the fan run to get the fire spread. Or if you're going nuclear, just crank on high, but come back in 3-4 minutes and it will be 600-700F. Last night I had it on high and got distracted. It was less than 7-8 minutes, but there was a 12" flame out the top of the BGE--looked like an afterburner on a F-16.
I light with a weed burner for about 30 second then attach it. I'll usually turn the fan on about half way. then let it run for no more than 5 minutes for 400-500F. Then I let the natural flow take it from there, because otherwise it will go from 400-500F to needle pegged in under a minute.
These things pop up on lightning deal every once in a while for under $40-50 with free prime shipping. Pretty good deal. -
double post
-
-
The dragon is simple and effective. I like it as well.
-
@pgprescott ... just checked your facebook page and noticed that you carry the BBQ Dragon as well. Have you used it at home?
Washington, IL > Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max
-
I'm cheap.
Well not too cheap I have a Stoker. 
LBGE 2013 & MM 2014Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FANFlying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL -
Damn! Just noticed grey hair in this selfie. What the what!!!LBGE 2013 & MM 2014Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FANFlying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
-
There's also a fire starter gizmo called Bison Airlighter available at Amazon. It may not be as cheap as you're looking for though.
-
LOL - wrong end! I wanted it for stoking the fire on high. Today I ordered the FiAir instead of the Dragon because the FiAir better suits my style and needs. Since my eggs reside on a wooden deck (gasp gasp gasp) then the only time I will be using the device is when I'm standing there! While the air mattress pumps would work I really liked the design of the hand held FiAir. And lastly having read the multiple positive reviews of satisfied users on Amazon I was sold.NPHuskerFL said:I'm cheap. Well not too cheap I have a Stoker. Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
I light my lump in a Weber Chimney, then dump into the Egg on top of the bed of lump. I use 2 sheets of newspaper to start it, and it is fully engaged in about 5 minutes (while I am doing food prep). Depending how hot a fire I want, I light a little lump or a lot, but have never had a need for auxiliary ventilation. Last night I did burgers on the small. Lit a good amount of lump, and the fire was ready before I was ready to cook. Getting the CI grate up to temp takes longer though regardless.XLBGE, Small BGE, Homebrew and GuitarsRochester, NY
Categories
- All Categories
- 182.7K EggHead Forum
- 15.7K Forum List
- 459 EGGtoberfest
- 1.9K Forum Feedback
- 10.3K Off Topic
- 2.2K EGG Table Forum
- 1 Rules & Disclaimer
- 9K Cookbook
- 12 Valentines Day
- 91 Holiday Recipes
- 223 Appetizers
- 516 Baking
- 2.4K Beef
- 88 Desserts
- 163 Lamb
- 2.4K Pork
- 1.5K Poultry
- 30 Salads and Dressings
- 320 Sauces, Rubs, Marinades
- 543 Seafood
- 175 Sides
- 121 Soups, Stews, Chilis
- 35 Vegetarian
- 100 Vegetables
- 313 Health
- 293 Weight Loss Forum