PROPER METHOD OF STARTING FIRE

Marvelous

I would like to know proper method for filling charcoal and various lighting methods thank you

Morro Bay Rich

MARVELOUS,
Big chunks on the bottom, smaller chunks in the middle, little stuff on top.[p]For lighting I use BGE fire starters ... most times one, sometimes two.

Spaceman Spiff

There are many paths to enlightment.[p]Trod them and follow the path that leads you out of the darkness.[p]Spacey

Mike in Abita

MARVELOUS,
Other than using lighter fluid I don't think their is a wrong way. I guess it depends on what you are trying to cook. Low/Slo vs Nuke. Check link for Low/slo
[ul][li]Elder Ward Fire building 101[/ul]

Smokin' Lady

MARVELOUS, I just got a BGE electric starter and really like it, just plug in and set a timer for 8 min., but it's often got lumps hot and fired up within 5. If I need a hot fire like to sear steaks, I clean out the firebox, put in a couple of chunks with the starter on top, then when they're going gradually add more until you're up over the air holes. If you don't need a real scorcher, I just give the leftover lumps a stir, add some more to bring it up over the holes, set the starter on top and place a few pieces on top of the ring, and plug it in. If you don't have a starter, you can still do the same using the starting sticks. I found that some packages where easier lighting then others.

Kahuna9000

Spaceman Spiff,[p]Very zen- I like it! WIth my turbograte all it takes is two pieces of newspaper and a match (three matches if it's windy!) The turkey last night worked fine...[p]CJ

Unknown

MARVELOUS,[p]Certainly not an expert here, but I've found that HOW I start my fire isn't nearly as important as what I let happen as soon as it's started. I've had them go out because I tried to start cooking too soon, or I had too many old chunks where it started, and therefore it never really got a good start. [p]Now, before I start placing wet wood on it, or a plate setter or anything else on top, I give it a little time to be sure it's going to become intense enough to accomplish whatever I want to do...Nuke or lo 'n slow. So far, I've found that if I close the top, without Miss Daisy, while it's starting, and it gets up to about 300 degrees, then it's safe to start building whatever kind of project I need. [p]If it's a lo 'n slow project and I let it get OVER about 300 degrees before I start, then I end up wasting lump because it takes so long to get the temp back down to a reasonable cooking temperature. Otherwise, it only takes a little while to stabelize. Even if it's a good strong start, it's going to drop it's dome temp pretty fast when I add wet wood, but it'll go back up pretty fast too. [p]Might not be too scientific, but it's worked well for me the last several projects I've done. Hope it works for you.

tach18k

MARVELOUS,
I stir the old lump to clear the ash from the grate, I pour in new lump, I light 3 spot 30 seconds each with my map trigger start mapp gas, all is well in 30 minutes. No muss and fuss