TS8000, one bad mamby jamby!

mojo

I was at Lowes to get a ladder and just happened to wander into isle 70. I tripped over a Bernzomatic TS8000 and figured I'd go ahead and give this whole MAPP lighting technique a try.

Well, I just lit my large for the 1st time with this technique, and I love it! I have always used the starter cubes, but never liked having to wait for the entire cube to burn off before closing the lid, a practice I always followed to avoid chemical buildup inside the Egg. The MAPP torch lit inverted with one push of the button, and it really satisfied all of my masculine fascination with fire, especially when the sparks started flying. I had to crank down the flame considerably as I feared some of the sparks could have burned my eyes. But I tell ya, if you haven't given this method a try, it's da bomb! I can't wait 'til my friends see me light my BGE next time. :P

Panhandle Smoker

I started out using cubes. The Mapp was much better and I have never looked back.

Semolina Pilchard

I use a Mapp torch myself. I strongly suggest you wear eye protection. People can, and have, been burned badly in the eye with flying sparks.

Richard Fl

I have used MAPP for about 5 years and a few years back came up with this shield to keep the sparks off my body and shirts.

Ripnem

That's funny. One warning I can give you is to make sure you don't have on some fancy or favorite shirt while starting with the torch. Some have put burn holes in them from the sparks. I also try and keep my face back a bit.

Fidel

I'll admit to my stupidity. I am one of those people that has burned myself with sparks from a MAPP induced lighting of the egg.

I was lucky, my amazing cat-like reflexes enabled me to catch the burning ember between my eyelids before it actually burned my cornea (or worse).

I keep a cheap set of clear eye protection outside with the eggs. I either put those on or avert my eyes. One scare was enough for me.

mojo

Thanks for all the warnings everyone. I have already purchased some welder's gloves that I will wear when lighting up, and I have some clear goggles I'll don as well.

Richard Fl - I like the shield, how effective is it from blocking the sparks? The sparks I saw flying seemed to be coming from all directions. Your shield appears to consist of a stainless steel hose clamp and what, some kind of lid with a hole drilled in the center? It must work if you've been using it for 5 years!

Fidel - Love the 'cat-like reflexes' comment, I use that one all the time :laugh: .

Beanie-Bean

Gotta get some long gloves and some goggles, mang! I love MAPP

BobS

Take a look at BBQ Guru's, "golf club". It connects to a propane or MAPP torch and you can stick the head down under the lump. You can actually walk away while it is there and add sime lump or a chunk of smoking wood, etc. You get no sparks.

Richard Fl

It is the top of a lamp shade. Has hole in center and I use 2 washers on each side one large than the other due to the size of the hole in the cover. 1/2 inch hose clamp to snug it to the tip. Mesquite does spark alot and the sparks go out the sides of the cap. Once in a great while a spark gets away, but not often.

Spring Chicken

I just stick the nozzle down into the lump. Rarely see a spark.

Spring "Sparking Is For Romance" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

mojo

Thanks for the details Richard!

I like the golf club, it's on my list of desired Eggcessories.

The instructions recommend disconnecting the torch from the cylinder after each use, but that seems terribly inconvenient and I don't plan on it even though I realize it's more dangerous when locked and loaded. I was also going to store it laying down on its side, as it just happens to fit my storage space better that way. Anyone see a problem with either of these things?