A Christmas present I'm buying for me

PatrickJ117

Fire starter...not hot air blower...fire stuff...the little chunks of brown stuff are a pain...so ramping up. Need perspective from any who use some fire device to get it going.

Buon Natale

epcotisbest

Simple, easy, effective, fast:

hoosier_egger

I love my Rutland fire starters. light two and I'm cooking in no time

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

tarheelmatt

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

tarheelmatt

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

In a pinch I've used this.  Though, it was likely me and my doings, I just didn't get a good start the times I used it, but got the fire going.  

DoubleEgger

I use this one. I like the hose.

WeberWho

I've used oil+napkins, starter cubes, electric starters, mapp torch, and a weed torch. The weed torch hands down is the winner for me personally. I hate starting my eggs any other way. 

I've have had my Harbor Freight torch for years and never had an issue. Easily worth the $20 in my opinion 

jeffwit

DoubleEgger said:

I use this one. I like the hose.

X2

Kent8621

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

I just picked up a couple of these and they are great.  the guy is local to me here in Alabama, great guy and some great products.

tarheelmatt

Kent8621 said:

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

I just picked up a couple of these and they are great.  the guy is local to me here in Alabama, great guy and some great products.

Soooo, do I need to PM you my address or what? 

Kent8621

tarheelmatt said:

Kent8621 said:

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

I just picked up a couple of these and they are great.  the guy is local to me here in Alabama, great guy and some great products.

Soooo, do I need to PM you my address or what? 

If its cheaper for you to do that I, wouldn't mind at all.

fishlessman

tarheelmatt said:

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

In a pinch I've used this.  Though, it was likely me and my doings, I just didn't get a good start the times I used it, but got the fire going.  

light the twisted napkin on the ends, bury the middle with lump. place a second oiled napkin over it. this creates a draw that will get it lit faster than the weed burner. i only do this for quicker searing temps

tarheelmatt

fishlessman said:

tarheelmatt said:

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

In a pinch I've used this.  Though, it was likely me and my doings, I just didn't get a good start the times I used it, but got the fire going.  

light the twisted napkin on the ends, bury the middle with lump. place a second oiled napkin over it. this creates a draw that will get it lit faster than the weed burner. i only do this for quicker searing temps

I don't know Fish, I'd take you up on that to see what's fastest.  I don't pu$$yfoot around with the trigger.  

DoubleEgger

tarheelmatt said:

fishlessman said:

tarheelmatt said:

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

In a pinch I've used this.  Though, it was likely me and my doings, I just didn't get a good start the times I used it, but got the fire going.  

light the twisted napkin on the ends, bury the middle with lump. place a second oiled napkin over it. this creates a draw that will get it lit faster than the weed burner. i only do this for quicker searing temps

I don't know Fish, I'd take you up on that to see what's fastest.  I don't pu$$yfoot around with the trigger.  

I’m with Matt.

DoubleEgger

A 3700 degree torch vs a oiled up napkin? You must be “day drankin” Fish. 

fishlessman

tarheelmatt said:

fishlessman said:

tarheelmatt said:

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Paper towel soaked in a little leftover oil works great too. Many ways to get there.

In a pinch I've used this.  Though, it was likely me and my doings, I just didn't get a good start the times I used it, but got the fire going.  

light the twisted napkin on the ends, bury the middle with lump. place a second oiled napkin over it. this creates a draw that will get it lit faster than the weed burner. i only do this for quicker searing temps

I don't know Fish, I'd take you up on that to see what's fastest.  I don't pu$$yfoot around with the trigger.  

i use both as well and i understand you dont need to pull that trigger,  you HAVE TOO. i presoak the whole roll of napkins in a can, they seem to work better than just doing it right before lighting as well

ThinBlueLine21

Fill a canning jar with alcohol and then with cotton swabs.  Then they are ready for when you need them and they work.

SaltySam

I do the Mapp torch (aka yellow bottle).   I've heard that the propane bottles (blue) don't work when upside down.  Considering I have to invert the bottle to light the charcoal, that would be a show stopper. They are significantly cheaper than the Mapp.   Is the upside down thing true?  

GalanteNate_OneEa

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

Kent8621 said:

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

I just picked up a couple of these and they are great.  the guy is local to me here in Alabama, great guy and some great products.

After dealing with John from jjgeorgeoutdoor I will recommend this to anyone. Great product, amazing customer service. Plus I am only paraphrasing but you hook this up to MAPP gas instead of propane and it still works in extreme cold. I have used heat gun, little cupes, electric coil, evil on paper towels, and I’m gonna say those will be great backups for this.

Tony_T

If the Egg is near an electric outlet, Looftlighter

Thomasc18

Kent8621 said:

tarheelmatt said:

I use a weed torch from Harbor Freight.  Best thing ever for me.  

The JJ George little lighter I saw on Instagram looks neat to me.  If something happened to my weed torch, I'd look into them for space savings.  

http://amzn.to/2BnhHoD

I just picked up a couple of these and they are great.  the guy is local to me here in Alabama, great guy and some great products.

Great product. Wife bought a table from him and he delivered personally.  No issues with table and quality is spot on. I’m sure his other products are great as well. 

Gulfcoastguy

I second the Looftlighter, though not the knockoffs. I've had mine about 5 years now. My backup, in case electricity is a no go, is the paper towel and cooking oil.

Legume

KJ is coming out with the JoeBurner and BigJoeBurner.  Small weed torch head and a larger weed torch head.  All stainless and titanium.  I think it will be out in the spring, I saw a pic of a prototype online, I'll see if I can find it again.

nolaegghead

Don't leave your looftlighter in the bathroom, or the wife might mistake it for a curling iron.  Owch!

Thomasc18

I have the original looflighter. All I ever find myself using are Rutland firestarters. 

theyolksonyou

SaltySam said:

I do the Mapp torch (aka yellow bottle).   I've heard that the propane bottles (blue) don't work when upside down.  Considering I have to invert the bottle to light the charcoal, that would be a show stopper. They are significantly cheaper than the Mapp.   Is the upside down thing true?  

You don't HAVE to turn it upside down. Plus it gives you some time to close your eyes whilst the Cowboy sparks up. 

tml1230

GEEEzZZ.... U guys scare me....maybe it's just great minds thinking alike....2 hours ago I was sitting here, worrying about my glass of wine getting too warm (currently 75 degrees air temperature)...and wondering how to best fire up my minimax....2 veal chops on the agenda for tonight.
i transported my weed burner (exactly like the one above) back to Florida for the winter, but it just seemed like overkill to fire up that bad boy JUST to ignite the  MM. ...
in the mountains of NC ....the weed burner is bad to the bone....  but down here on the MM .....it would be similar to  shooting a fly off the wall with an 8 inch barrel colt Python. ... Effective but not necessary....( next to wife and family my unfired colt Python perhaps is my most loved earthly possession)...it's a family heirloom ....( for you FLorida State University graduates..that means being kept in the family for several generations)
i fired up the MM with one weber wax cube very quickly ...gee zzz I love rockwood! ....personally,i think the weber fire starters are more effective than the BGE  Fire starters. However Alcohol may have impacted my opinion.
i know there are a lot of inquiring minds here. So I will answer the obvious other question....
i was drinking a Chardonnay called "naked grape"  ...u can probably figure out without any research, it's from California .

Botch

I've been on this forum for awhile now, and I've never understood what was lacking with "the little chunks of brown stuff".  You can carry one and a lighter in one hand, as you're wheeling your Egg outside.  It lights, every time (there's the occasional instance where the lump doesn't light, but that's usually below freezing).  I don't need an outlet or to unwind/rewind a cord.  I don't have to connect any kind of burner to a bottle.  I don't have to be careful about a hot burner or coil, or where to set them down safely afterwards.  I can SEE when I'm about to run out.  I don't have to stand there while lighting.  I'm not blowing sparks onto my deck, shoes, dogs, or passed-out individuals nearby.  Sure, it may take a little while longer to get full burn, but I always have additional prep work to do during that time, or watch a kittie video on EweTube.  I really don't see any issue.  
 
That said, when I run out of the brown stuff this time, I'm going to the oiled paper towel henceforth.  I shake and remove my KAB, vacuum out the bowl (vacuum permanently plugged in, next to the Egg in the garage), drop in the oily towel, replace KAB, top off lump if required, roll out, and light thru the Intake.  The fire lights quicker than from the top (when you light the top of the pile, the heat from the early combustion goes up, and out the top; from the bottom, it sifts thru and heats the entire pile), and I feel it burns more evenly, too.  
 
I don't know which is cheaper, but that data is down in the noise so I don't care.