Can you REALLY start the Egg with Rubbing Alcohol?

[Deleted User] · October 2010

Can you REALLY start the Egg with Rubbing Alcohol or is someone pulling my leg?

I just tried this. Used about maybe a 1/4 and waited about 45 seconds before lighting. I'm using the standard 70% USP Isopropyl. I did in fact light, but didn't seem to be able to STAY lit.

Am I doing something wrong or is this an urban myth that I've just fallen prey to?

If true... just what is the "trick" for starting a fire this way?

Grumpa · October 2010

Here is part 1 of a video that shows how to do it. It does require 91% vs 70% though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWZUrtaEb-U

fishlessman · October 2010

i think they are using 90 percent.

[Deleted User] · October 2010

Sounds like a job for "Everclear" (PGA, 95%, 190 proof)... albeit not very cost effective.

Where does one get 91% rubbing alcohol? I've never seen it that I can recall.

Grumpa · October 2010

Walmart has it.

Carolina Q · October 2010

For some reason, it works better on my mini than the large. Only tried it a few times til I ran out of the 91% I already had. Didn't bother to buy more.

hornhonk · October 2010

Any drug store. Use 60cc on a large egg. Wait 30 seconds then toss in a match. It's lit!

Bacchus · October 2010

Or just toss in a lit cube.

[Deleted User] · October 2010

Good video... informative and complete. Check out that "golden egg"!

Spring Chicken · October 2010

Got mine at Walgreen's. No more expensive than the lower strengths.

I still use my Mapp torch most of the time but the alcohol method does work. Just fold up a paper towel, saturate it pretty good and bury it in the lump. Open the bottom and top vents, light the alcohol and it won't be long 'til you're up to temperature.

Occasionally, a piece of ash will float out. It's not hot but sure makes a mess of a yellow shirt. But so do the sparks from an aggressive Mapp torch.

I also like the Weber starter cubes. One is enough to be at 350° within about 15 to 18 minutes. 500° shortly thereafter.

Spring "Come On Bee Bee Like My Phire" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

hornhonk · October 2010

Cubes cost more.

Doug in Eggmonton · October 2010

A couple more data points on this. I used 95% Isopropal on Maple Leaf and Blue Bag Royal Oak and it worked fine. I also used the blue fondue fluid as it worked just as well and was half the price. But at the Montana fest I was using Weekend Warrior and it took forever to light this way.

Because of that I drive a weed burner now.

Doug

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · October 2010

60cc is 2oz., so assuming maybe $4 for 16 ounces, that's 8 lights for $4, 50 cents each.

i used to bust up my firestartes and use three halves to light up.

still, the napkin and oil thing hasn't failed me, and that's about as close to free as i can get. aside form maybe the weedburner and its never-ending (seemingly) tank o' propane

Spring Chicken · October 2010

I think I paid under $2.00 for about a quart-size bottle at Walgreen's. About a jigger's worth will do it. Cheap.

Spring "Home Of The Cheep Cheep Stuff" Chicken

Mainegg · October 2010

I think we need to give you an Egging 101 course

I am a weed burner girl :blush: just something about ending my work day with a flaming torch in one hand and a glass of wine in the other that just makes everything alright again. if I had to use something else I love the oil and napkin trick.

Capt Frank · October 2010

I have used the cubes, tried the alcohol thing a few times, both worked fine, recently bought a MAPP torch and will never go back :woohoo:

Village Idiot · October 2010

I haven't read the other posts, but it works very well with 91%. I buy it by the quart at Walmart for something like $2.50. Since the byproduct is CO2, there is no lingering aftersmell.

[Deleted User] · October 2010

I have limited space for storage... plus a young 9 y/o grandson... so it is really more of a safety and storage issue.

fishlessman · October 2010

oil and napkin works really well and you already have the supplies

why stock up on isopropel

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · October 2010

and 90% isopropyl isn't exactly kid safe :unsure:

thebtls · October 2010

The answer is yes, the REAL question is should you? Walk through our burn unit at the university hospital and listen to the simplest little 'lighting' incidents gone wrong and you would have to question the practice. I don't think this is limited to just alcohol however, many methods are dangerous, you are playing with fire after all.

Bacchus · October 2010

A box of 144ea Rutland cubes(same as BGE) is $11.99 at Ace Hardware. Cut in half to light 288 fires, at $.41each.

fishlessman · October 2010

safe compared to my can of coleman fuel when i was nine :laugh: :laugh: never light a lantern indoors

Grandpas Grub · October 2010

I haven't read the responses but my experience.

For me 70% didn't work. I changed over to 91% Isopropyl alcohol and the lump light very well. The alcohol light gets the lump lit faster than starter cubes and about the same as oil/paper towel, about the same as MAPP.

At my cooking altitude I need to use 3 to 4 oz of alcohol (1.5 to 2 times more than suggested in the videos).

Light time to stable at 350° dome is takes from 12 to 15 minutes.

GG

Medium-Rare · October 2010

I've been using the BGE for 14 months. I've used an electric starter, starter cubes, propane torch, chimney with newspaper and finally 91% isopropyl alcohol. Purchased a quart bottle at Wally World (aka Walmart)for a couple of dollars or so. Also purchased a clear condiment bottle ($1.00)to measure with and squeeze the alcohol down into the lump. Works great every time. Just don't stand too close when you toss in that match!

Smut-butt · October 2010

The old electric starter still works great for me; I'm not in a hurry, I'm old.

Medium-Rare · October 2010

Sorry, it's just easy. I almost burnt my electric starter a few times because I wasn't watching. With this method, I can lite and come back 15 minutes later to see where the temp reads. Don't need to worry about melting a handle.

hornhonk · October 2010

If you're old, don't you think you SHOULD be in a hurry?

uglydog · October 2010

I use an industrial product called dehydration alcohol, which has almost no water in it. I soak 3 small hunks of Wicked Good lump in a tray of this alcohol for 20 minutes, then distribute the hunks at 10, 2, and 6 o'clock positions around the rest of the lump, and light the three hunks. It works ok about 50% of the time, but frequently this method takes forever to get the main charge of lump going.Usually I wind up putting the parafin starters in to get things going after the alcohol soaked hunks take too long. By the time the parafin starters get my Wicked Good lump up to cooking temps my wife is complaining about my cooks taking too long. Someday I might quit being a hard head about this and just start with the parrafin starters. Uglydog

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Can you REALLY start the Egg with Rubbing Alcohol?

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