Fan to keep the fire going

Unknown

All,
I am currently using a steel grill until my ceramic grill arrives. Last night, my fire was about to go out on me at the end of my cook so I had to pull out a hair dryer to fan the flames and keep them going. Do any of you use any sort of gadgets to keep your flames going?[p]Thanks for your input.
AJW

Tim M

<p />AJW,[p]I have a hair dryer that pooped out and I removed the heater coil and I keep it around to "speed" up the fire when needed. I haven't had to use it in many months since there is ALWAYS a wind here (that is why the Wright Bros flew here) and I can usually point the vent opening into the wind. Pictured is an old computer power supply muffin fan I have around in case I need it. It has come in handy from time to time.[p]Tim M

Unknown

AJW,
From time to time I resort to a small battery operated plastic fan called a personal fan. Runs on 2 AA batteries and actually puts out quite a huff! I gave $4 for it at a Walgreen's. It fans the embers real well without blowing them all over the place.

CR

kat, how do you keep from blowing ash all over your meat? I have tried gently blowing into the bottom vent, to get my fire started, and it seems that ash goes everywhere so I have been hesitant to do this once my cooking has started.[p]If it can be done without blowing ash around it would be great for the last few hours of a long cook when it is sometimes difficult to keep the temp up where you want it.[p]CR

Tim M

CR,[p]I use mine to get the fire up to temp - not to keep it there so there is no meat in there yet. The muffin fan provides a slight breeze and it doesn't disrupt the ash like a hair dryer or your huffing & puffing does.[p]Tim

Unknown

CR, guess I wasn't clear, but when I'm using the fan it is to intensify the coals and spread the fire, so no food is on yet.

Steve-O

AJW,
I have used a hair dryer to speed the heating up process prior to starting a cook and have found it very effective. It can jump the temp 100¡ very quickly. I have never used it for what you are suggesting, but I can see how it would help if you could keep the air speed from blowing ashes all over your food.

TRex

AJW,[p]I use one of those "personal fans" too that are battery operated. Works like a charm to get the fire going in the beginning - I have never used it during a cook, though.[p]My cousin back in Atlanta has been known to use his gas leaf blower to get his fire going, if you can believe that. I guess he has even less patience than I do.[p]TRex

Unknown

TRex, LOL about your couisin using a gas leaf blower on his BGE, but hey I use one all the time to help dry my cars when I wash them! Best thing since sliced bread for spotless drying of intricate wheels.

Unknown

Steve-O,
Thanks for the comments from all of you. Let me clarify something, though. When I do use the blow dryer, I take remove the grill with the meat, fan the coals, then replace the grill.[p]