Best way to light the egg?

cali_egghead

I've tried both the starter cubes and charcoal chimney but Im not sure if there are any better or faster ways of light the lump. Any thoughts?

gktheegghead

I used the other day 91% rubbing alcohol soaked on a piece of paper towel rolled up and it worked fine and it is cheap!!!

Mickey

This is what I use.

stevesails

Weed burner. Paper towels with olive oil if out of propane

Mickey

The big white tank for the Larges and the little yellow tank for the Mini.

Gibber

I bought a Looft Lighter.  Pour in your Lump and it takes about 5 minutes.  Super easy to use.

www.looftlighter.com

 

 

Shiff

I start my charcoal using 91% alcohol purchased at Walmart. I use a pencil to poke a tiny hole in the seal and then  squirt a little alcohol in 4 places in a circle about 4 inches in from the outside rim of the charcoal. Then a little squirt in the center.  Wait a few seconds then toss in a match.

Alcohol burns clean and quickly starts the charcoal. It is very safe as long as you stand back a little when dropping in the match.  The warmer the day, the more  it evaporates before lighting and can cause a flash.  In the winter, it doesn't evaporate and I actually have to hold the match at the squirt points.

njl

I'm sure it's not the fastest, but vegetable oil or bacon fat on a twisted up paper towel is safe and probably one of the cheapest ways to start the egg.

KennyLee

Torch method is the best IMO.  I got the Bernzomatic TS4000 from HD.....about $40 and takes about 1-2 minutes to get the Egg lit.  Just hold it down in the lump for about 30 seconds in 3-4 spots, then close the lid and open the vents.  Works with MAP or propane, but propane is cheaper and works great.  Canisters are about $3 and last for months.

shucker

I've tried newspaper and a chimney, a mapp torch, starter cubes, and olive oil on a napkin. The fastest way I've found is a basic electric starter although it only lights a small amount of lump so it still takes longer than I'd like. Im anxious to try the weedburner technique. I'd love to have a fire ready to go in under 20 minutes.

jscarfo

I used wax cubes for long time now I use weed burner super fast.

caliking

Weed burner is by far the best, but its a bit tedious to lug a big propane tank around. I've tried Weber starter cubes which work well, but take a little longer to light the lump unless you use a few at a time. The chimney method works pretty well, but you have to be careful to not melt the handle on the chimney. Tried the paper towel soaked in oil method a few times and was not impressed, I wish I had bought the weed burner with the built in starter though. 

Loosemoose

KennyLee said:

Torch method is the best IMO.  I got the Bernzomatic TS4000 from HD.....about $40 and takes about 1-2 minutes to get the Egg lit.  Just hold it down in the lump for about 30 seconds in 3-4 spots, then close the lid and open the vents.  Works with MAP or propane, but propane is cheaper and works great.  Canisters are about $3 and last for months.

This is all I use but I guess all these methods work. I for one will never string an extension cord even though I'd only need about 20 feet to the outlet.

I keep a torch with my egg. I light it and then sit back and drink a beer.

tarheelmatt

Get one of these units with the link below.  By far the best!

http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-with-push-button-igniter-91037.html

tarheelmatt

I just started this thread the other day.  

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/1441633#Comment_1441633

loveTheEgg

IMHO LoofLighter!

tarheelmatt

I thought about the LoofLighter too, however the need for electricity was the kicker for me. 

tarheelmatt

And cost!  The propane torch is cheap comparted to the Looftlighter.  

canegger

This is the best way to light. A few of these the time doesn't matter

DoofusOfTheDay

Why are people worried about how fast they can start a fire when they are willing to wait all day for something to cook?  I know I am a newbie, but why the need for speed?  I'd say use something cheap or accessible.  I built my own chimney starter with a big old coffee can, and use it to light egg no problemo.  Takes about 5 minutes until the coals are ready to dump in the egg.  

Skiddymarker

I'm in the electric starter camp, of course the outlet is within 12" of the base dome felt line so to me it is no brainer. I have used a torch, but the sparks are something I don't want to deal with. Chimneys are for briquettes in my mind. 

tarheelmatt

@Doofus - I see your point, however for me, on Wednesday, I ran behind and had to cook some marinaded grilled chicken for the picky folks in my family for New Years.  We were to eat at 12:30 and I got to the Egg at 12:10.  The propane torch got the fire going in no time and up to temp for me to get the chicken on.  

canegger

When in a crunch I find the electric starter I have to be quick

ShadowNick

High-que grate and couple crumpled up pieces of newspapers under it.

Mattman3969

canegger said:

This is the best way to light. A few of these the time doesn't matter

Now all you need is a dead animal B-)

shucker

DoofusOfTheDay said:

Why are people worried about how fast they can start a fire when they are willing to wait all day for something to cook?  I know I am a newbie, but why the need for speed?  I'd say use something cheap or accessible.  I built my own chimney starter with a big old coffee can, and use it to light egg no problemo.  Takes about 5 minutes until the coals are ready to dump in the egg.  

Time isn't a factor for all day cooks but like a lot of others we cook dinner several nights per week on the egg. I usually don't get home before 7 so every minute we wait for the charcoal means we are later eating, later cleaning up, and later getting the kids to bed leaving little to no time to unwind before bed. An extra 15 minutes would be much appreciated for me. A lot of our cooks are completed in 30 minutes or less. Hard to justify spending more time lighting and stabilizing temp than actually cooking.

canegger

Mattman3969 said:

canegger said:

This is the best way to light. A few of these the time doesn't matter

Now all you need is a dead animal B-)

Always have a few of these around

DoofusOfTheDay

shucker said:

Why are people worried about how fast they can start a fire when they are willing to wait all day for something to cook?  I know I am a newbie, but why the need for speed?  I'd say use something cheap or accessible.  I built my own chimney starter with a big old coffee can, and use it to light egg no problemo.  Takes about 5 minutes until the coals are ready to dump in the egg.  

Time isn't a factor for all day cooks but like a lot of others we cook dinner several nights per week on the egg. I usually don't get home before 7 so every minute we wait for the charcoal means we are later eating, later cleaning up, and later getting the kids to bed leaving little to no time to unwind before bed. An extra 15 minutes would be much appreciated for me. A lot of our cooks are completed in 30 minutes or less. Hard to justify spending more time lighting and stabilizing temp than actually cooking.

I can certainly appreciate the need for speed in these situations.  Thanks for sharing.

DoofusOfTheDay

tarheelmatt said:

@Doofus - I see your point, however for me, on Wednesday, I ran behind and had to cook some marinaded grilled chicken for the picky folks in my family for New Years.  We were to eat at 12:30 and I got to the Egg at 12:10.  The propane torch got the fire going in no time and up to temp for me to get the chicken on.  

Understood.

jeroldharter

Gibber said:

I bought a Looft Lighter.  Pour in your Lump and it takes about 5 minutes.  Super easy to use.

www.looftlighter.com

 

+1 

BYS1981

I use vegetable oil soaked paper towels, I put them in a circle of lump, basically just tenting it. If I'm in a hurry, once the towels are no longer on fire, I install my stoker to act as a blower.