Well, done with the paper towel method

Botch

I'd used the paraffin squares to light my Eggs for most of the years; early last spring I tried an oil-sprayed paper towel in the bottom of the bowl (since I clean out the bottom every time since getting a KAB) and it worked fine, plus I feel you get a more even, and reliable, burn by starting your fire from the bottom, not the top (that's how a Boy Scout starts a campfire).  
 
As its been getting colder this fall I'm having more fails, and today it took me three tries to get a fire; apparently the oil/towel doesn't burn hot enough to light a pile of cold lump (I have had a few fails with the paraffin squares, too, as the winter comes on).  
 
So, I'm gonna pick up some rubbing alcohol and a syringe, and give that method a try; I seem to remember that alcohol burns pretty hot.  For those of you who use the alcohol method, do you have a way to light the fire from the bottom?  Maybe soak a paper towel with the alcohol, instead of oil?  Let me know.
 
I meant to try the Fritos method today, but forgot!  
 
I don't want to go the torch method, as my Egg is on a maybe-flammable deck (PVC decking), nor an electric starter, as they're expensive, require an extension cord, and a safe place (non-flammable and dog-proof) to set them down (plus, I'm clumsy).  Elon Musk's flamethrower is now available, but again, PVC deck.
 
Will post my results, fwiw.  

theyolksonyou

Syringe????

i just poke a small hole on the tamper barrier and use the bottle as a squirt bottle.  

BGEChicago

I like the method, but I typically use this with some extra lump:

Botch

theyolksonyou said:

Syringe????

i just poke a small hole on the tamper barrier and use the bottle as a squirt bottle.  

Well, that saves me a couple bucks!  (my bottle of rubbing alcohol in the opioid  medicine chest has a screw-top (yeah, it's old)  

GaBGE

I know you mentioned that you didn’t want to try the electric starter for several reasons but I have been very pleased since I started using one. The egg seams to get up to temp and ready cook a lot faster than the oil/paper towel method. You don’t have to have one of the expensive looft light type lighters, I have a $10 charbroil lighter from Walmart.

SonVolt

I think they're onto something with the official fire starter squares. Cheap and work every time. 

StillH2OEgger

Is it possible the issue is more to do with lighting from the bottom than what material you're igniting?

TEXASBGE2018

I have great luck with pouring a little veg oil on paper coffee filters and lighting in 3 places. I find if I don’t crunch them up too much they light easy and catch and stay lit. I used to use the diamond strike-a-fire sticks and they also work great. Basically the same thing as the bge squares but about a third the cost.

Botch

StillH2OEgger said:

Is it possible the issue is more to do with lighting from the bottom than what material you're igniting?

Had to think about this a bit.  Yeah, the paper towel is sitting in a chilled depression, and cold ceramic has a lot more thermal mass than cold lump.  But, as I mentioned earlier, I have had a few fails with the paraffin squares up on the top of the lump, in cold weather, too.  
Anyone here use the alcohol method in cold weather?  

StillH2OEgger

Botch said:

Had to think about this a bit.  Yeah, the paper towel is sitting in a chilled depression, and cold ceramic has a lot more thermal mass than cold lump.  But, as I mentioned earlier, I have had a few fails with the paraffin squares up on the top of the lump, in cold weather, too.  
Anyone here use the alcohol method in cold weather?  

I live in Minnesota and use in the winter. Haven't used alcohol, but haven't had any problems with paper towel and vegetable oil. There seem to be lots of variations on method, but I just fold a paper towel twice then roll and twist the ends and dip 2/3 of the way into oil and then light the dry end. Usually make sure there are some smaller lump pieces or the stuff the gets reused from a previous cook in the area where it's lit and it always seems to get a glow going regardless of air temp. Good luck whichever direction you end up going.

Botch

StillH2OEgger said:
...I just fold a paper towel twice then roll and twist the ends and dip 2/3 of the way into oil and then light the dry end. Usually make sure there are some smaller lump pieces or the stuff the gets reused from a previous cook in the area where it's lit and it always seems to get a glow going regardless of air temp. 

AH!  THIS sounds interesting, totally different from the way I'd been doing it.  And, if I attach a screen to the end of my vacuum hose, that would automatically keep some small chunks in the bottom bowl to cozy up to the "oil doobie".  
And I finally get your handle, Stillwater MN guy!    While stationed up at Grand Forks, I spent many weekends/vacation days in Bemidji photographing, and a few weekends up in Baudette doing both music gigs and photography (lots of bald eagles up there).  

StillH2OEgger

Nice! Love it up in northern Minnesota. Went to college in Fargo-Moorhead area and spent a few weekends doing what college kids tend to do in Grand Forks. And yeah, the small chunks in the bottom are like kindling.

Toxarch

I use the Rutland squares, which are the same as the BGE squares, but cost less. Catch them on sale in Amazon for really cheap and stock up. I light from the top with 1 square broken in half and both pieces mostly buried in lump. Thankfully, it's not as cold in Texas. 

Mickey

Super fast and always lights. 

GrateEggspectations

Personally, I use a torch on a wooden deck, and am less worried about the start (for which I am present and watching) than I am about portions of the cook when I walk away.

Eoin

I use oil soaked paper towels, rolled and knotted. I make these up, fill a jar and put some oil in. The ends light easy but the middles burn slow. Usually make a dip in the lump and put a couple of small pieces of lump on top. The fire always goes down into the lump anyway, that's where the air is coming from.

nolaegghead

Wait, you light from underneath the pile of lump?

SaintJohnsEgger

BGEChicago said:

I like the method, but I typically use this with some extra lump:

Use that over the propane side burner on your gas grill and it works great.

Botch

nolaegghead said:

Wait, you light from underneath the pile of lump?

Yes.  Shake the KAB to remove excess ash and set aside, vacuum the bottom of the bowl, wad the paper towel into the bottom, squirt with oil, and I usually light it and immediately replace the KAB, top off with more new lump if required, and go with it.  
Per @StillH2OEgger 's suggestion, today I'll try rolling/dipping a paper towel, lay it in the bottom with the dry end poking into the air channel, lay some small pieces on top of the towel, replace the KAB, and then light the dry end through the bottom intake, see how that works a few times.  
I still like the idea of lighting from the bottom, as heat rises and "primes" the lump above; the air is going to travel upwards regardless.  

Eoin

Botch said:

nolaegghead said:

Wait, you light from underneath the pile of lump?

Yes.  Shake the KAB to remove excess ash and set aside, vacuum the bottom of the bowl, wad the paper towel into the bottom, squirt with oil, and I usually light it and immediately replace the KAB, top off with more new lump if required, and go with it.  
Per @StillH2OEgger 's suggestion, today I'll try rolling/dipping a paper towel, lay it in the bottom with the dry end poking into the air channel, lay some small pieces on top of the towel, replace the KAB, and then light the dry end through the bottom intake, see how that works a few times.  
I still like the idea of lighting from the bottom, as heat rises and "primes" the lump above; the air is going to travel upwards regardless.  

Try lighting from the top, the fire goes downwards towards the airflow very quickly (lid shut, vents open).