New lighting method needed

Powak

My BGE electric hoop passed away this afternoon after 2 solid years of 4+ days a week of use. I’m trying to decided what’s the best way to go for lighting methods. Buy another hoop lighter? Maybe one of those electric gun lighters? Definitely looking for dependability and sustainability here. I’m not into buying cubes or those BGE firestarters. I’ve got a Weber chimney and a mapps torch (don’t have access to any newspaper) that I use for lighting briquettes. Any suggestions? What do you guys use?

lkapigian

I'm in the chimney camp and re purpose old lump 

Moleman

Paper towels soaked in some canola placed in a ziplock, or any other oil, then that underneath the chimney works just fine. Relatively cheap as well. I also use the paper towels I use to clean my blackstone which are greasy as well. 

Moleman

For clarification purposes remove a paper towel or two from the Ziplock prior to use. 

DMW

Torch

dannys

I've been using a product called "Stokes". It is an all natural product developed by a local teenager. It comes in packs of 12 egg-carton style starters. Rip one off and put it beneath the coals then light it. 

RRP

In 18 years I've tried this and that except for never trying the electric loop nor heat gun. Guess my go to method over the years has been cubes which have always been bought only when on sale at the "end of grilling season" LOL and then I buy as many boxes that I can find! And I do mean dozens of boxes at a time! Lately I've been running in short supply so I only use one square plus a good squirt of cheap 91% Isopropyl alcohol from Walgreens.

Botch

Do you have/use a KAB?  If so, I'd also recommend a simple paper towel stuffed into the bottom, drizzled/sprayed with oil, before replacing the KAB and then just lighting through the bottom vent.  
I also feel this gives you a more evenly-lit fire, but I haven't (yet) proved this.  

Gulfcoastguy

When my electric loop died I went to using a Looftlighter. It works fine for me. Others will disagree.

ColtsFan

Recently been using a grill torch from JJ George and its great! Also use the fire starters 

SaintJohnsEgger

I use the BGE fire starters.

If you have a propane burner on your gas grill just sit the full chimney over that.

SemolinaPilchard

Moleman said:

Paper towels soaked in some canola placed in a ziplock, or any other oil, then that underneath the chimney works just fine. Relatively cheap as well. I also use the paper towels I use to clean my blackstone which are greasy as well. 

The soaked paper towel with light the lump in your egg without needing the chimney starter.

GrateEggspectations

Given that your hoop lighter gave you only two years of service, I’d suggest considering alternatives. Personally, I’m in the torch camp myself and would not go back to the alternatives that I had previously tried. 

DoubleEgger

Sounds like the loop had served you well. Why not get another one? 

scdaf

Harbor freight has a heat gun which frequently goes on sale for $8.99.  I love a heat gun for firestarting, but I use my 25 year old Black an Decker.  Keep hoping it will die, because the metal front on it is short, so it's easily overheated if left on the coals unattended but it refuses to die.  Beauty of a heat gun is the fan inside.  Gets the fire humming posthaste.

Theophan

I used the fire cubes for many years, but for the last few it's been a MAP torch. It creeps me out a bit because of the clouds of flying embers, sometimes (I wear safety glasses!), and I burned a hole in one of my favorite shirts that way, but it's just SO quick and easy, SO fast, it's just way better.

littlerascal56

Small weed burner torch hooked to a propane bottle makes lighting all my cookers effortless!

Shiff

I use a chimney filled with leftover charcoal.  I squirt a little 91% alcohol on the charcoal in the grill, then put the loaded chimney over that spot and toss in a match.

Powak

Botch said:

Do you have/use a KAB?  If so, I'd also recommend a simple paper towel stuffed into the bottom, drizzled/sprayed with oil, before replacing the KAB and then just lighting through the bottom vent.  
I also feel this gives you a more evenly-lit fire, but I haven't (yet) proved this.  

I do. But I haven’t tried that. When my hoop was working I was having issues getting even fire (part of this was because I didn’t have a KAB yet and was using RO), and some members talked about lighting from the top with the bottom vent closed. This did work good for getting the fire spread but nomatter what it always seems to become a fire that’s burning thru to the bottom of the firebox so I’m betting that method of lighting in the fire box would work good.

bgebrent

Read none, sorry, propane torch.  Quick light.  

Powak

When you guys use the MAPPs do you use it to light the chimney or aim it down into the egg? I’ve lit it the latter way before just waiting to lose an arm.

bgebrent

Powak said:

When you guys use the MAPPs do you use it to light the chimney or aim it down into the egg? I’ve lit it the latter way before just waiting to lose an arm.

Directly lighting the lump in the egg.

RalphieBoy

I’m lazy. Rutland is so much cheaper than BGE. All I have ever used is Royal Oak.

blasting

A blackstone will produce all the free custom made oil infused paper towel lighting devices that you'll ever need.

StillH2OEgger

I won't disparage anyone else's methods and I'm sure there are many ways to skin this cat, but oil-soaked paper towel has served me well and I don't see any reason to change.

MNEggerandStuff

Mapp torch the charcoal directly in the egg for 20 seconds in a few places, close lid and return at the next commercial.  Works great for me.

Kent8621

I have been using the JJ George Torch for a while now and love it. its really easy to use and gets the eggs rolling quickly. as a fun part, I used it last weekend to burn some weeds down. 

SaintJohnsEgger

scdaf said:

Harbor freight has a heat gun which frequently goes on sale for $8.99.  I love a heat gun for firestarting, but I use my 25 year old Black an Decker.  Keep hoping it will die, because the metal front on it is short, so it's easily overheated if left on the coals unattended but it refuses to die.  Beauty of a heat gun is the fan inside.  Gets the fire humming posthaste.

Harbor Freight also has a propane trigger lighting weed torch for $29 and with one of their coupons you can get 20% to 25% off that price.

lightningQ

i just watched a you tube video where this guy soaks small pcs of lump in a container with alcohol for about a week.  then he will take a couple pcs and stick in the fresh lump and light.  looked like a great idea but will that make any difference in taste using the alcohol or no?

Powak

Kent8621 said:

I have been using the JJ George Torch for a while now and love it. its really easy to use and gets the eggs rolling quickly. as a fun part, I used it last weekend to burn some weeds down. 

Wow the JJ George Torch looks awesome! Does it have an ignition built in or do you need to use a spark/flame source to get it lit? Also where’s the best place to order these from?

etherdome

RalphieBoy said:

I’m lazy. Rutland is so much cheaper than BGE. All I have ever used is Royal Oak.

thats what i use as well