Lighting the lump? One place or more?

Captainjimpark

hey everyone
im a relative novice,I have a large egg and use fire starter squares.so far I take two squares and cut them each into four pieces.my reasoning is by starting the lump in eight spots it would all light even.ive been reading that some start it in the middle only?is that what works best?  Thanks!!

Darby_Crenshaw

for a low fire, you only really need one spot.  a 250 dorm temp won't be achieved with a fire evenly lit across all the lump. temp would be higher with that much lump involved

for other fires, higher temps, sure, light it in more than one spot.

fire follows the oxygen, which (at least in my egg) usually means the fire burns downward.  if i want a true bed of coals across the top, i open the dome and shut the lower vents.  the fire stays on tip because that's where the air is (with dome open)

Captainjimpark

Thanks for the tip,I'm gonna try that.

1move

@Darby_Crenshaw is on point. For low and slows just one spot is enough, for anything else a few spots are fine. Just add more air and you will be climbing in temperature steadily. 

You our can light one spot and pop the lid open and leave it for a few minutes you will soon have an inferno

lousubcap

For l&s definitely one spot only.  I go with the dome and lower vent open til I see around a softball sized volume of lump burning, then shut the dome and adjust the lower vent to about an inch open.  Once within around 50*F of the desired temp (usually around 250*F) shut the lower vent to about 1/4-1/2" open and install the DFMT-petals full open.  Dial it in from there.
Many ways to get there-bottom -line ease into your desired cook temp-and if the BGE settles in "close" don't chase it.  FWIW-

Captainjimpark

Great feedback. Thanks to everyone!!

Carolina Q

I light mine in four places for every single cook. I've always done it that way. 12, 4, 8 o'clock and center. For anything from 250-900°. I use a torch most of the time. It won't get any hotter than the amount of incoming air will allow. Less chance of a vertical burn and the fire going out too. At least I think so.

Captainjimpark

Carolina Q said:

I light mine in four places for every single cook. I've always done it that way. 12, 4, 8 o'clock and center. For anything from 250-900°. I use a torch most of the time. It won't get any hotter than the amount of incoming air will allow. Less chance of a vertical burn and the fire going out too. At least I think so.

Even when I light in eight places I never have a problem with temperature,my cooks are mostly 220-240,I just keep closing the dampers as the temp increases and that's that,I think il try lighting in four spots also.just use 1 fire starter square

Botch

I've always lit in the center, one place, for all my cooks; don't feel I'm missing anything.    

fishepa

Botch said:

I've always lit in the center, one place, for all my cooks; don't feel I'm missing anything.    

I do the same. 

DaveRichardson

One place front of center for 95% of all cooks. You can always open up the lower door to let in more air or use a fan to go nuclear. 

Toxarch

I take 3 paper towels with oil on them and light in 3 spots.  Only problem I have had is maybe 2 of them will light and really go and the 3rd will be super slow to get going. No big deal when cooking indirect.

RMSmithJr

Great advice.   My dealer said use three every time. Of course he has a ve$ted interest in return & repeat business. 

Powderhound

I always use two with the Looft Lighter. 

bgebrent

Darby_Crenshaw said:

for a low fire, you only really need one spot.  a 250 dorm temp won't be achieved with a fire evenly lit across all the lump. temp would be higher with that much lump involved

for other fires, higher temps, sure, light it in more than one spot.

fire follows the oxygen, which (at least in my egg) usually means the fire burns downward.  if i want a true bed of coals across the top, i open the dome and shut the lower vents.  the fire stays on tip because that's where the air is (with dome open)

This brother you should trust.