Poll: Preferred way to light the Egg

TomM24 · January 2009

I never used starters. Used electric but they don't last that long. Tried alcohol a few times didn't seem to work well. Did the oil and napkin for a while and it worked fine then one night wasn't watching it and had a very late dinner. So now using a weed burner.

Nature Boy · January 2009

Howdy!
Not read the other responses. IMO the easiest way to light a fire is with a starter cube. Light it, set it in, and wait.

I also use the Mapp torch, but you have to stand there and hold it for a while, and the sparks (especially with moist lump) can be problematic (ie: burn holes in your clothes, shoot into your eye...happened to me).

I never really understood why folks use electric.

So my theory....cubes are easier and safer.

Happy lighting!
Chris

Nature Boy · January 2009

Howdy Clark!
So you are on your 10th electric starter and you still use them? Do you buy them by the case now?

Sounds like it might be time, like you said, to move on!
Cheers!
Chris

gdenby · January 2009

Weed burner, using mostly MAPP, but sometimes propane

Woody69 · January 2009

I have been using alcohol (91%). It seems to work really well for me. I might give the Mapp a try though.

fishlessman · January 2009

weedburner is the quickest, when the egg was on the porch i used to just shovel a little anthrasite nut coal from the stove into it, pretty sure im the only one here thats ever lit an egg with coal. i prefer the weedburner and have a 40 pound bottle sitting there for my big open burner anyways, the weedburners are cheap, 20 dollars from harbor freight and they are good for many years of use. mines maybe 7 years old now and i leave it out in the elements year round in newengland. it does spark, wear some sunglasses and a hat when in use.

Jupiter Jim · January 2009

I agree, the weed burner is great. Mine also lives outside in south Florida less than a mile from the ocean, gets rained on and the salt air has it rusting. Three years old and still going strong.
I have found that it is not necessary to use it with a blasting flame and if you keep the flame smaller you will have less sparks. I stay up wind so sparks go away from me. I bougt a tank adapter at Bass Pro and use the small colman propane tanks.
Jim

stike · January 2009

ia little oil, twisted napkin or two, and i'm at 700 in about 15 minutes.

no standing aound, no 'holding it in three spots for a minute each", no sparks.

not as fast as a weedburner, though.

cheaper than starters

fishlessman · January 2009

small coleman adaptor, i see my weedburner on camping trips now :laugh:

FrankC · January 2009

I use the weed burner with propane. Really fast, ready to cook as soon as the "bad" smoke disappears.

fc

Misippi Egger · January 2009

Hard headed, I guess. At least that's what my wife keeps telling me (and about other things). :silly:

I didn't like fooling with the cubes when I first got my egg and a good friend (competition guy - on standard grill) told me he always used electric starters. That got me started and other than occasionally getting distracted (like reading the forum while the starter heats up), and toasting the wire, they create a good fire.

The MAP Pro looks good (have been looking at them in the stores) and that Looftlighter looks interesting (the videos on You Tube).

Hey, Really enjoying the rubs. They are ALL becoming favorites!

PWise · January 2009

I place a shop towel folded into a square and doused with vegetable oil on top of the charcoal, open vents and close the lid... it will take about 10 minutes to go out and you will have a fistful of embers, put some black charcoal on top or stir it a little to disperse and reclose the lid...

cheers

Jeffersonian · January 2009

I prefer to use an electric starter, too.

Cpt'n Cook · January 2009

Midnight Smoker · January 2009

MAPP

Rooster K · January 2009

I have use my weed burner but most of the time I use a crumpled up piece of newspaper. It does make some ash but I always have some around and it is my little way of recycling the newspaper.

FlaPoolman · January 2009

Works better with rib notes,,,thats what Egret said :ohmy:

Mr. & Mrs Potatohead · January 2009

I have thought about an electric too (mostly for the speed of it), but haven’t gotten there yet.
I light my Egg with some birch bark and a few small pieces of kindling (usually aspen or oak) covered with some of the lump. This as worked well for me.
OTOH, upon occasion (twice now) when I REALLY needed to get everything going REALLY FAST…
I’ve used a LP torch. I do; however; like the birch bark and kindling method better!

Nature Boy · January 2009

Those BGE starter cubes work great. I only use half of one, Break it in half, light it, set it down in the charcoal so it is not smothered, and let 'er go. Couldn't be any easier.

Really cool to hear you are enjoying the rubs! They are all really different. I am still learning new uses for them after 6 years.

Thanks Clark. Have a great night!
Chris

Gzmogator · January 2009

Love electric. Bought first electric with Green Egg Logo on it. The element broke after a year but used about 4 to 5 times a week. Bought replacement at Lowes for one third price and works great.

momcooks · January 2009

I use the alcohol. I put it in a spray bottle, took the nozzle off and just spray it in the egg.

belle's dad · January 2009

I've used a Benzomatic torch for quite awhile and it works great. Takes just a few minutes to light and the Benzomatic fat boys last a longtime. If I don't get my self in gear and buy another tank, I'm going to be in trouble. I've used the one I've got for a longtime. I'm pushing it. Used electric, but, like this better. Haven't tried a weed burner yet.

Gordon
Vero Beach, FL
It's cold here - cooking chili on Egg.

SmokeRing · January 2009

Weed burner.

WileECoyote · January 2009

60 ml of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) works best for me. See the video:

Part 1
Part 2

Poll: Preferred way to light the Egg

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