Lighting method

hashissmokin

I am a little torn on what the best method to start my lump charcoal.  Last weekend was my first experience with BGE and lump.  I filled a chimney, placed inside of egg on grates and used a starter block, seemed to work well but what would be the best method when needing to add charcoal to an egg that already has burning coals in it?  Would you simply just add the fresh coals on the already-burning lump or use a different method.  All help is appreciated.  If there are better methods feel free to share.  

MCRyan

I always used a chimney with my Weber Kettle.  After I got my Egg, I filled the firebox up with charcoal, jammed in a starter block rich in the middle and lit her up.  So easy.  It left me wondering why I was complicating the process for so many years...  Also, I read somewhere that you don't have to, or shouldn't use a chimney with the Egg.  Probably more true on the "don't have to" front.  Hope that helps.

KenfromMI

Don't know why it wouldn't be recommended other than not a lot of room since the egg doesn't dissasemble like a WSM and its a bit tougher. I still use my chimney with my WSM but have to say the small starter block placed in the center and lump is easier and more convenient.

KenfromMI

More convenient in the egg I meant to say.

buzd504

There are lots of options.  Tossing a starter cube in is fine.  Oil and papertowel works.  Heat gun.  Looftlighter.  Mapp torch.  Weed burner.  Chimney.  They all work.


As for adding lump to an egg with burning coals - you should really never have to do that.  Since you can reuse coal, just add some more before each cook so it's full.  If you're doing a long cook, clean it out and fill it with fresh lump.  Plus, adding coal during a cook can add more VOCs and off flavors if you add it while you have food on the grill.

fishlessman

you should never need to add lump during a cook unless your doing 30 to 40 hour cooks
) this is the way i light my egg, no more mapp, propane, started cubes, fire logs. its fast and inexpensive
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1143722/napkin-and-oil-trick-was-messy

SenecaTheYounger

I am a recent convert to the oil and napkin lighting method.  Some seem to refer to it as soaking.  I would say that soaking (to the point of dripping) is more trouble than it is worth.  Do not soak.

Simply drizzle a little cooking oil over the napkin and crumple or twist it.  The oil will spread into the paper, but there shouldn't be so much that it drips, otherwise you will make a mess every time, and waste oil. You can also spray crumpled newspaper with a Misto (oil sprayer), as does Alton Brown.  It is the same idea.  I do not have a "Misto".

After a few tries, I found that burying the paper works much better, even going so far as to put pieces of lump over it, into the flame.  I find that I can achieve high/early temperatures faster than my previous method of using starters, and there is less idle time standing around, as with propane or MAPP torches. 

I imagine that a weed burner may be as fast or faster, but have yet to try one.

r8rs4lf

I've never had to add lump to an already burning fire. I usually just add more lump before that way I know I'm safe.

I use a weed burner to start my cooks. I've tried the starter cubes and Mapp torch, but have come to realize the weed burner is the best and fastest for me.

BYS1981

I use oil and paper towels, or old bacon fat and towels. lighting the egg isn't as complicated as people make it out to be.

tksmoke

I'm solidly in the Mapp weed burner camp!!  It allows very precise control over where your lump is lit.  Want a quick hi temp cook, light in several places - done!  Want a low temp long cook, light in one or two places - done!  Forgot to put your smoking wood in with the lump - give it a quick start with the torch - done!  No muss, no fuss. 

This is not to say that any of the other methods don't work.  Clearly they do.  Speed, accuracy and neatness have to count for something...  And, I love the sound it makes when shutting off the gas.