A lot of smoke when starting

enderw30

So I just got my egg a couple of weeks ago and every time I start up the fire I same to have the same problem. I use a safelite fire starter and surround it in coals and there always seems to be a big flame develop. After the flame dies down a little there is a lot of white smoke that comes out of the egg. This lasts for a while and it usually takes about 30 mins or more for me to finally settle on the temperature I want without any white smoke. Is this normal? If not what are some ideas of things I am doing wrong and how can I fix it?

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

@enderw30 welcome and congrats on your new egg. The first thing we need to know is what kind of lump are you using? I believe that could be normal for some types of lump. 

Hans61

buy rock wood lump

Hans61

oh and welcome! 

JMCXL

Normal, just wait for the white smoke to clear.  Different Lump take longer to clear than others.  I use RO and I am usually good to go in about 15-20 depending on starting method and the cook temp I am looking for.  Took me a while to realize don't rush it.  Start it early and let the temp stabilize and smoke clear before starting the cook.

shtgunal3

Welcome aboard.

Some of those fire starters put off a lot of smoke when they die. When I used those I would pull them out after the flames died. Other than that it is from your lump. The best way to tell if it's ready is to put your hand over the eggs chimney for a several seconds and then smell your hand. If it smells good, it's ready. If not, let it burn a little longer. Enjoy the experience.

lousubcap

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.  As above-wait for the good smoke.  

Hans61

I use Royal Oak and wait for the smoke to dissipate. RW doesn't really produce much white smoke. Guess I didn't consider the starter could be the culprit. For most cooks I use an electric starter. 

enderw30

I use Big Green egg lump. I do think it is the dying starter. I removed in from the egg and that seemed to help the problem. Thanks for the suggestions! I'm always up for some more tips.

Darby_Crenshaw

Has nothing to do with the lump

the wax fire starter needs to burn in complete flame. If you shut the lid and set vents too early, it loses the flame and smolders

candles burn clean only when they have air. Blow them out, and that small glowing dying ember in the wick will throw a ton of smoke as it dies. 

same thing. Incomplete combustion 

Mattman3969

+1^^^^^^.  

GrateEggspectations

Would be helpful to know your methodology (e.g., how long you keep the dome open after lighting, how long you are then leaving it closed, etc.). As others have noted, it simply sounds as though you may want to adjust your lighting procedure. While effective, based on reports I've heard on the forum, the starter squares are a lot slower than a MAPP torch. My current method is to hold the torch to the centre of the lump for a minute or so, let it burn with the lid open a good 7-10 mins and then let it burn with lid closed another 7-10. I'm generally ready to cook in 14-20 mins.

Also mentioned by other members is the possibility that the type of lump you're using is having bearing on the time it takes for the acrid white smoke to clear. Might help to let us know what type of lump you're using.

Note that there are methods of hastening the dissipation of the white smoke, such as fanning the flames upon startup.

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Darby_Crenshaw said:

Has nothing to do with the lump

 @Darby_Crenshaw do you gather this after knowing he uses bge lump or you are saying it just doesn't matter what kind of lump as they all put out the "bad" smoke for roughly the same amount of time under the same conditions? 

I used the original bag of bge lump and changed over to rock wood because it was a buck cheaper. But it seemed like the bge smoked for
longer before clearing up. Not the case in general? 

bgebrent

Totally normal.  Independent of lump.  Lots of lighting options that are faster if you like.  

Little Steven

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Darby_Crenshaw said:

Has nothing to do with the lump

 @Darby_Crenshaw do you gather this after knowing he uses bge lump or you are saying it just doesn't matter what kind of lump as they all put out the "bad" smoke for roughly the same amount of time under the same conditions? 

I used the original bag of bge lump and changed over to rock wood because it was a buck cheaper. But it seemed like the bge smoked for
longer before clearing up. Not the case in general? 

Some lump produces more smoke than others. I leave the dome open for quite a while after lighting. I find this doesn't heat the ceramic and produces a clean fire a lot sooner.

DMW

Little Steven said:

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Darby_Crenshaw said:

Has nothing to do with the lump

 @Darby_Crenshaw do you gather this after knowing he uses bge lump or you are saying it just doesn't matter what kind of lump as they all put out the "bad" smoke for roughly the same amount of time under the same conditions? 

I used the original bag of bge lump and changed over to rock wood because it was a buck cheaper. But it seemed like the bge smoked for
longer before clearing up. Not the case in general? 

Some lump produces more smoke than others. I leave the dome open for quite a while after lighting. I find this doesn't heat the ceramic and produces a clean fire a lot sooner.

Yeah, but you measure in metric and it's a lot colder up there.

enderw30

It sounds like I need to leave the dome up longer than I am doing right now. This is probably one of the biggest issues for me.

Little Steven

That's just my method man. Quicker IMHO

Darby_Crenshaw

Some lumps do have different amounts of white smoke.

but the way you described it, and there being a lot, soon after shutting the dome, implies it is the starter cubes

(To me, i mean)

lousubcap

One of the side benefits of the white smoke generating cubes is that when it is really being cranked out you can shut the dome and get an instant seal check of dome to base fit.  No need for the bill test.  FWIW-

Darby_Crenshaw

Onlymproblem is that if they are smoking, they are 't burning properly enough to light the lump the quickly

You want flames not smoke. If they are burning properly, they will not smoke nearly as kuch, if at all

same for paper napkin and oil. Though they burn faster and a bit more easily than starters

Hans61

@Darby_Crenshaw I like the analogy of the candle wick, makes sense.