What's everyone use for starters?

HarleyDoug

I'm using the BGE lighter cubes - and they work well would like to hear from others and their  fav starters/methods

thanks much

Salty Hogs BBQ

Had a weed burner, but prefer my Mapp torch.

Village Idiot

91% Isopropyl alcohol from Walmart

BBQMaven

50cc of 91% alcohol in a 9" circle, 5 seconds of rest, and one match.... man does it look cool at night!!!!

Botch

Had been using the BGE's, when I use them up I'll be using another brand at Home Depot that was less than half the cost (can't remember the brand).  

ChokeOnSmoke

I've tried many things and have been using an electric starter now for over a year.  Love it!

Daddyo

Had a weed burner, but prefer my Mapp torch.

Another Mapp torch here.

Buckwoody Egger

Wax/sawdust squares by Rutland from Ace.  

BGE:  24 for $7

Rutland:  24 for $3 or 144 for $12

 

Bulldog Mom

We use the Looftlighter normally, but in the winter or on rainy days, use the BGE Firestarters. They work well in bad weather. 

gamera06

I use 1/4 Wax/Sawdust square... in fact, the first one I tried to break from the tablet split in two, and the layers separated... when I turned it on fire, it made a big ball of fire (better than 1 whole square), so I continued this way.

Eggspert

I use a large magnified glass when the sun is out and a mapp torch when its cloudy.

Amy S.

I use a small portion of the starter cube and bit of apple wood chips, etc. Oh, and a match!

dbacker

I use the Looftlighter. Its been the best thing I've found yet. Very fast and convenient.

windnsea26

I have one box of the Green Egg ones but was able to score about 10 boxes of those Weber parfin starter cubes for about $2 a box at my Home Depot on clearance.

ourpeter

Mapp gas or weed burner...both work...weed burner gets you going quicker and makes use of that propane tank that is getting dusty from lack of use!

Volman

Looftlighter!  Told the wife it was a "high-intensity hair drier", she didn't think it was very funny...

stevesails

i ran out of propane for my weed burner. ,, so i have been using a paper towel with olive oil, the twist it up.. works great. But,,, not as much fun.

Austex_Egger

Mapp Torch.  Started with the starter cubes but like the torch much more.

BENTE

Mapp Torch!!! used to use the bge started cubes but i did not like them a whole lot

4Runner

MAPP only.  Works like a champ.

Spoon

Mapp

jaxsongirl

I use the weber wax cube fire starter....boy...it does a good job!!!

EggerFromIowa

4 folded paper towels, with 1 capfull of canola oil. Set at 12,3,6 and 9.  My 9 year old son lights the egg for me now, after I get it all setup.

IrishDevl

Fatboy Mapp torch

IrishDevl

Used BGE starter cubes, but no more. Not a big fan - torch is so much more efficient (IMHO).

Dnorman

We use the Looftlighter normally, but in the winter or on rainy days, use the BGE Firestarters. They work well in bad weather. 

Do you like the Looft Lighter.  I can't give them away.  I have used one a couple of times, and I see the benefit that having to stand there and hold a button down to keep it going has (no burnt up element)  But I still preffer my map torch.

Hillbilly-Hightech

I use this:

http://www.bernzomatic.com/newsroom/bernzomatic-quickfire-torch.aspx

And haven't looked back...

onedbguru

I use a starter chimney, 2 pieces of wadded up paper and a bic-style lighter. 7-8 minutes and I am ready to cook... speaking of which, it is almost time to go light the grill for the lovely NY Strip steaks we are having tonight...

SCGrizz

To all the folks that use torches, does it work ok when it's turned upside down in the egg?  I've looked at these and the instructions say to hold them upright.

Salty Hogs BBQ

To all the folks that use torches, does it work ok when it's turned upside down in the egg?  I've looked at these and the instructions say to hold them upright.

Yes, with the MAPP torch. I bought the extender hose to make it easier to use. But yes, you can use it upside down with no problems. I think the green/blue propane bottles have problems when using upside down, but not the yellow MAPP gas ones.

Hillbilly-Hightech

To all the folks that use torches, does it work ok when it's turned upside down in the egg?  I've looked at these and the instructions say to hold them upright.

@SCGrizz - the one I have, the Bernzomatic Quickfire - is made to be able to be turned upside down, angled to the left or right, or whatever way you want to hold it. It's market is for tight spaces, and easy, one-handed operation.

I think some torches which might use a different fuel (liquid propane, for instance) cannot be turned upside down, but I've had my Quickfire every which way as far as angles go, and I've noticed absolutely NO decrease in performance.

HTH,
Rob