Getting the charcoal started - looking for any help

ceeejay57

I use the BGE for starting the chimney and it takes over 1/2 hour for it to get going.  I put some charcoal in the bottom  of the BGE and then fill 1/2 of the chimney with lumps and then light the newspaper.  I have the bottom vent open and the top open and it still takes for ever.  What do you experts do???

captjo

BGE electric starter, lights in 10 minutes
I do keep an exterior extension cord with it, not quite long enough to reach my outlet.

Brisket_Fanatic

I use a mapp torch.  If your using a charcoal chimney I would keep it outside the egg and it should be hot in about 10 minutes

DrKrieger

I also use a mapp torch, find it works really well. I tried my 25000 BTU weed burner once....that was an experience.

ThrillSeeker

Hot and fast cook - Harbor Freight Weed burner.  0 to 350 in 5 minutes.

Low and slow cook - Cottonballs soaked in oil or the wax and paper charcoal starter squares. 0 to 225 in 15 minutes.

fishlessman

is the daisy open or off the egg, you want it off the egg

SoCalTim

Use a Sterno on the bottom of the chimney ... no newspaper needed. It'll start up fast.

ceeejay57

fishlessman said:

is the daisy open or off the egg, you want it off the egg

I have the BGE open to maximize airflow

SPRIGS

No expert here but I use a mapp torch.  

YukonRon

paper towel soaked in cooking oil. Fast and cheap.

GATraveller

Grill Mark Electric Charcoal Starter.  $21 at ACE Hardware.  I've had mine for 2 years now and still going strong.  Takes 8:30 to start.

Jeremiah

Mapp torch or weed burner. Ready for food in 10-20 minutes.

pab

Try putting a very small amount of vegetable/canola oil on the newspaper before you light it. Paper doesn't burn up as fast and I am guessing it burns a little hotter as well. I light my egg with paper towels I keep in a plastic coffee container that I have added canola oil to. I got this tip from @fishlessman and works well for me.

fishlessman

ceeejay57 said:

fishlessman said:

is the daisy open or off the egg, you want it off the egg

I have the BGE open to maximize airflow

once theres a small fire going, shut the dome and take off the daisy and set it down on the table, the egg is now a chimney starter. this is my method, its almost as fast as my weedburner if there is no ash build up and the lump is dry

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1143722/napkin-and-oil-trick-was-messy/p1

theyolksonyou

Soak lump with 91% alcohol. Let stand 5 min. Toss in a match from a safe distance. Alternatively, soak a paper towel in said alcohol and wad up. Stuff in bottom vent and light. 

Rip roaring fire to come. 

Mostly I use a mapp torch because I run out of alcohol. 

4Runner

torch it

Shiff

I also use a chimney but have discovered that it is important to only put small pieces of lump in the chimney. If there is too much air space between pieces, it seems to take a lot longer for it to start.  I use 91% alcohol that I spray on the charcoal below the chimney and then put the chimney on top of it and toss in a match.  Ready to go in about 10 minutes.

Toxarch

I just use a couple of paper towels and a little veg oil to light the coals in the egg. But if you are in a big hurry to get hot...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mPsRJCJTf0M

Mithrandir

Looftlighter is my new friend

feef706

Used to use the BBQ golf club started but have now started using a small chimney starter on my gas grills side burner, after 5 mins or so I set it on top of my lump in the egg with the daisy wheel off and bottom vent wide open and let it continue to heat up all the coals in the chimney while also heating the coals in the egg below it before I dump it (for hot cooks), low and slow I light a smaller amount in the chimney and just get it going a little and dump the pile in the center.

ceeejay57

Bought the Charcoal Starter Squares and it finally started.  Thank you all for your help.

Photo Egg

This Crazy Egger from Arkansas turned me onto this little torch.
It's like a tiny weed burner. The valve is VERY sensitive but it's amazing.


https://snowpeak.com/collections/stoves/products/gigapower-torch?variant=671134045

Foghorn

ceeejay57 said:

Bought the Charcoal Starter Squares and it finally started.  Thank you all for your help.

Those work well and are predictable in their performance.  I buy Rutland firestarters from Amazon by the 144 pack.  If you are in a hurry, just use 4 of them to start the fire.  That's what I do on weekday cooks.

da87

I'm new here as well and often get myself wound up in the depth and variety of options from the incredibly experienced posters on the board - although one of them gave me a great piece of advice:  don't overcomplicate.  The BGE starter squares have been reliable and even better repeatable for my first 20 cooks, I'm sticking with them while I have fun experimenting with recipes.