Why do people even buy fire starters?

Royal Coachmen

I've been using a MAP torch and have pretty good success but for all the Sparks that can sometimes fly out and burn holes in your clothes....not that I would know...

Mikee

I got this, http://store.weber.com/accessories/category/cook/tools/1349 , about 6 weeks ago. It works great. In 3-5 minutes flames are shooting thru the top. I only fill it up about a 1/3. I use junk mail as the paper to get it going; sort of killing two birds with one stone.

The first chimney starter I had lasted a little over 2 years before it rusted out. This one is in the $14 range from many retailers. After 6 weeks there is no sign of rust except for the inner cone. It has 2 handles to grab onto making it very easy to control when dumping. It has holes on the side to promote additional air flow which aid in the quick start time.

The only downside is that the inner cone allows for smaller pieces of lump to possible fall thru. I give it a shake ahead of time to allow for small pieces to fall out. While not as big of a deal for a concrete patio; hot coals on a wooden deck is a major problem.

onedbguru

When I was on vacation last year, they had a *eber kettle as the "grill provided". Went to WallyWorld and got a couple bags of RO lump.   poured some in and used a paper towel with a few drizzles of canola oil.  Was hot for dogs in < 10 minutes (the windy conditions certainly helped). 

Terrebandit

Map torch is the best. One tank will last more than a year, easy. 

Toxarch

I have a chimney starter. I use the weekly advertisement newspapers they keep throwing on my driveway every week. Who reads those things? If I want the flames to last a little longer, I add a little vegetable oil to the paper before wadding it up.

Mikee

Terrebandit said:

Map torch is the best. One tank will last more than a year, easy. 

How long do you have to hit the lump with the torch? 30 seconds, a minute, 2 minutes? How many minutes will a canister of Map gas last? How long does it take to get the remainder of lump glowing red and burning clean?

I thought of buying a map torch but I bought another chimney starter. My Egg is ready in 10 minutes. I guessing here, but the Weber RapidStarter should last at least 5 years. At $14, 200 starts per year, for 5 years; the final cost per start is $0.014.

Does the Map torch come close to that? If so, I'll be looking to get one in the year 2020+.

Dobie

Because I can afford it 

Chief9

cheaper than bacon?

Botch

Just this morning I finally remembered to save my bacon plate paper towel to try to light my Egg.  It was only one of those half-sheet towels (which are very handy for my small messes, and for soaking the dried bug guts off my motorcycle helmet faceshield); and, I only drained two slices of bacon (not thick-sliced, either).
I wadded it up and tried to light my Small, the towel went out pretty quickly but I gave it ten minutes.  She went up to 400 that quick, wow!  
I pour the bacon grease in the frypan into a can and use it for frying, but the half-sheet paper towel I've always tossed.  No more. Many thanks to the poster(s) who have recommended this!  

revolver1

Scottborasjr said:

I'll use the bacon grease when I am camping but for everyday use I get the Rutland firestarters from Amazon. 144 for less then 20 bucks works for me. 

If you have a Tractor Supply in your area, check the price there.  Best price I've found.  

hondabbq

I cant be bothered with dealing with greasy hands every cook. I buy the Weber starters when its heading out of BBq season and buy when they are on sale.
To be cheap like the OP, sometimes I cut them in half if I don't need a big fire fast and only use half of what I normally use. Whoa.

bettysnephew

When I got my first Egg I was given a box of the BGE fire starters and they worked well under my chimney or in the coals. Last year I bought a big box of the Rutlands and seem to notice more of a burning pine wood aroma when they are lit. I might have missed this on the BGE version as I did not have that many or didn't pay much attention when using them. Does anyone know if the BGE brand are made from hardwood sawdust vs. pine in the Rutland or is this something I am imagining. 

RRP

bettysnephew said:

When I got my first Egg I was given a box of the BGE fire starters and they worked well under my chimney or in the coals. Last year I bought a big box of the Rutlands and seem to notice more of a burning pine wood aroma when they are lit. I might have missed this on the BGE version as I did not have that many or didn't pay much attention when using them. Does anyone know if the BGE brand are made from hardwood sawdust vs. pine in the Rutland or is this something I am imagining. 

David, I used Rutlands for years when I bought a case of 24 boxes  from Menard's for $.50 a box one Fall close out. I don't recall that issue. Granted maybe I was just accustomed to the smell. That was several years back now. OTOH when I have two eggs fired up at my dealer's store I use 2 Rutland blocks each and I don't notice anything. My guess is the manufacturer is using whatever sawdust is available and dirt cheap sawdust at that. I doubt they are real picky!

bettysnephew

@RRP Thanks Ron, as I said I may just be imagining it. In reality it doesn't make a lot of difference as long as I wait for the blocks to burn out and the fire to stabilize.

Terrebandit

Mikee said:

Terrebandit said:

Map torch is the best. One tank will last more than a year, easy. 

How long do you have to hit the lump with the torch? 30 seconds, a minute, 2 minutes? How many minutes will a canister of Map gas last? How long does it take to get the remainder of lump glowing red and burning clean?

I thought of buying a map torch but I bought another chimney starter. My Egg is ready in 10 minutes. I guessing here, but the Weber RapidStarter should last at least 5 years. At $14, 200 starts per year, for 5 years; the final cost per start is $0.014.

Does the Map torch come close to that? If so, I'll be looking to get one in the year 2020+.

Probably 30 seconds, my first canister lasted 1.5 years (2-3 cooks per week), way faster than oil soaked towels or starters,  easier than a canister,  I can use my mapp toarch in my shop also.  Boo yah  

nolaegghead

theyolksonyou said:

I typically use a torch, but on vacation I bought a bottle of 97%alcohol. Squirt on  a paper towel, stick through the bottom vent and light. Blazing inferno in short order. When I run out of gas I may switch permanently. 

Bottom vent? 

jeroldharter

I think many of us try every option available and eventually use different methods to suite the circumstances. A fried of mine with a Weber kettle just piles grass clippings on top of his charcoal, lights it, and walks away. Works great. I have used firestarters, oil soaked paper towels, electric starters, chimneys, Looflighter, etc.

The oil-soaked towels are cheap but messy. I use an electric starter or a looflighter most of the time.

For campfires, I prefer pine cones but take some homemade firestarters. For those, I use paraffin melted and poured onto a wick that is embedded in a paper egg crate or paper towel core, each loaded with dryer lint - or filled with cotton balls saturated with Vaseline. The fun is piddling around to find what works in your situation.

Begger

What about a good hardwood SAWDUST mixed with Parafin?
NO sawdust from plywood is allowed (glue).
Melt in double boiler and use an ICE CUBE tray.    

n00b

golfguyjosh said:

I have a looflighter... works good and fast. If I was smart I would not have bought it and just used my heat gun. If you have a heat gun at home boom saved you all some money

stamp of approval here. 7 bucks from harbor freight. cant beat it

buzd504

Foghorn said:

When you are camping in 25 degree weather with some wind,

That's crazy talk.

theyolksonyou

nolaegghead said:

theyolksonyou said:

I typically use a torch, but on vacation I bought a bottle of 97%alcohol. Squirt on  a paper towel, stick through the bottom vent and light. Blazing inferno in short order. When I run out of gas I may switch permanently. 

Bottom vent? 

@nolaegghead I'm not sure if your inquiry is serious or a play on bottom, but since I'm sober, I'll go with serious. 

Yes, but I doubt it would work well for a low temp cook. Lots of lump burning in a short amount of time. 

fishlessman

if you dont like the oily hands with towel and oil, let it soak a week first to fully absorb the oil, not messy at all and it makes a huge difference starting the egg. make a years worth in the time it takes to drink a beer
http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1143722/napkin-and-oil-trick-was-messy/p1

fishlessman

nolaegghead said:

theyolksonyou said:

I typically use a torch, but on vacation I bought a bottle of 97%alcohol. Squirt on  a paper towel, stick through the bottom vent and light. Blazing inferno in short order. When I run out of gas I may switch permanently. 

Bottom vent? 

if you have a mini thats used primarily as a hot grill, lighting thru the lower vent is the only way to go. it does not work right for low and slows in larger eggs

THEBuckeye

Scottborasjr said:

I'll use the bacon grease when I am camping but for everyday use I get the Rutland firestarters from Amazon. 144 for less then 20 bucks works for me. 

Bingo. 

Plus 1

HofstraJet

Is MAPP faster than Looftlighter? I stand there for around 5 minutes with the Looftlighter to get three spots with good flames before leaving the egg to come to temp. Wonder if MAPP takes same amount of time.

I haven't had good luck with firestarters - they don't seem to light fresh RW. Takes 2-3 to get an area going. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

Mikee

I will stay with the Weber Rapid Starter based on responses. It's faster and less expensive.

hondabbq

I was hoping to find a quicker method to get up to searing temps to do some quick steaks, chops, etc on the mini. i find it's too restrictive to cook on it as much as I would like to during the week. I use the large every weekend for larger cooks. 

I call **** on lighting the mini with the oiled paper towel. 
I followed @fishlessman method. Went to light the mini as suggested rolled up through the bottom vent. Kept going out. No it wast wrapped tightly. Busted. 
Took 2 sheets and tossed a couple pcs of lump on them and lit from the top. Smoke kept putting put the fire. I had a lot of smoke but no fire. 
Ill try this on the large where there is more oxygen available. But this is garbage for the mini. 

Now ow don't get me wrong it got to temp but just not in the times mentioned. Rib cap steak sure was good though.