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Lighting the egg (My newest method)

Okay I have been on a mission to find a way to light the egg in a way that satisfies me. I started out using the bge starter cubes. I didn't care for that method. I then tried a paper towel soaked in cooking oil. I didn't like that method either. I then tried rubbing alcohol. I thought I had a winner, but it never failed that if I was busy or in a hurry, (which is most of the time) I would light the lump and then come back and nothing was happening. I would have to try it again. It was almost a hit and miss thing. 

I was going to get a Looftlighter, but some of the reviews weren't good. It wasn't that they didn't work. It was that they didn't hold up or last very long. I guess I went with the poor mans Looftlighter because I purchased a heat gun. 

I think I have found my new method. It was awesome how fast I was lit and at temp. After I get home from work I am involved with the kids and studying and don't have a lot of time to grill during the week. When I used this heat gun on Monday night to cook ribeyes I was done in half or less than half the time. Now I can cook more during the week. 

I know a lot of guys don't mind the wait, but I don't have the time especially during the week so I am loving my heat gun! 

Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
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Comments

  • jls9595
    jls9595 Posts: 1,533
    edited April 2014
    Interesting, I've never thought of using a heat gun. Have you tried a MAPP torch? I have been thinking about going that rout so I won't have to pull out the extension cord every time. 
    In Manchester, TN
    Vol For Life!
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    I have never tried a MAPP torch. I thought about getting one, but I wanted to try the heat gun first. I know what you mean about the extension cord, but I grill on a porch right off of my garage, and I have a plug in close by. 

    The plug in is co close I don't have to use an extension cord. I just plug it up, light it, and unplug it. Very quick, simple, and easy. 

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • jls9595
    jls9595 Posts: 1,533
    makes it hassle free then. about how long do you have to hold the gun over the coals, and do you light a wide area or just the middle?
    In Manchester, TN
    Vol For Life!
  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,457
    I tried that in 2009, yes it works!  I'm using butane torch and Looftlighter in tandem these days though.
    canuckland
  • tulocay
    tulocay Posts: 1,737
    Isn't a heat gun similar to a looft lighter? Would like to see some more info or a picture of what you are using.
    LBGE, Marietta, GA
  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    Paper towels in oil, looft lighter, MAPP torch, etc etc are for pu$$y$. :)) image
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • Beaumonty
    Beaumonty Posts: 198
    I use a weedburner.  2000 degrees gets it done and a propane tank is fairly portable.  
  • henapple
    henapple Posts: 16,025
    I used a heat gun for about a year. Just don't lay it in there and get distracted. ..it'll smell like Royal Oak.

    >:)
    Green egg, dead animal and alcohol. The "Boro".. TN 
  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,727
    Harbor Freight weedburner gets the job done and is uberfun to scare the neighbors with. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    henapple said:

    I used a heat gun for about a year. Just don't lay it in there and get distracted. ..it'll smell like Royal Oak.

    >:)

    Ouch that's gonna leave a mark. >:) image
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
  • jhl192
    jhl192 Posts: 1,006
    I used to use the BGE electric starter but recently got a MAPP torch. I like the speed of lighting, the ability to light in a few places and the fact that no cords are needed. It has exceeded my expectations.
    XL BGE; Medium BGE; L BGE 
  • My Looflighter works very well and has held up so far. Will get more heavy use when the snow clears. It takes about 2 minutes to get a low-and-slow amount of coals burning. When it was -20 outside, it worked fine but took ~3 minutes (which seems like a long time standing there in the dark cold).
  • I been wanting to try the electric element. But wasn't gonna spend 40$ on the BGE one. Academy sports had them for 9.99 just lit my XL in less than 10 mins to 400 degrees. Worked really well.
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    edited April 2014
    jls9595 said:
    makes it hassle free then. about how long do you have to hold the gun over the coals, and do you light a wide area or just the middle?
    I have only used it once so far, but it only took about a minute, and I had sparks and red coals. I lit it in the middle. My heat gun has a dial so at max it is 1,500 degrees and and min it feels like a hair dryer. 

    After I got it going I dialed it down and backed it up about a foot or so and that is when the fire really gets going good.

    All in all it probably took at most two to three minutes and I was done. I am using Rockwood so I can put my meat on almost immediately. 

    It was really nice to be that fast on a weeknight. 

    tulocay said:
    Isn't a heat gun similar to a looft lighter? Would like to see some more info or a picture of what you are using.
    Yes it does the same thing as a looftlighter. This is the exact one I purchased; http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-PC1500HG-1500-Watt-Heat-Gun/dp/B004Q04X44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397687018&sr=8-1&keywords=porter+cable+heat+gun

    I like it!

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • loveTheEgg
    loveTheEgg Posts: 573
    I don't know about others but I have had my Looflighter for about a year and a half and use it about 3-4 times a week and I have never had a issue with mine! still the best way to light the Egg IMO!! 
    Brandon, MS
  • yumdinger
    yumdinger Posts: 255
    I have never used anything but a heat gun.  Specifically a cheap Ace Hardware label Heat gun.  I have glowing coals in 2 minutes.  Another minute and I have an inferno.  Works for me and I have shown others and they have switched to a heat gun.  
    Since it only takes 2-3 minutes not sure why you would sit it down,
  • Holepuncher
    Holepuncher Posts: 388
    What is the difference in the heat gun and a hair dryer? Does the heat actually help or is it the fan blowing?
    Hendersonville, TN.
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    The heat gun gets a lot hotter. I don't think you could start the lump with a hair dryer. The combination of the heat and the fan blowing is what gets the fire going. 

    All it takes is a little fire and then the cooler air from the fan does the rest to "really" get it going. 

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • Holepuncher
    Holepuncher Posts: 388
    So the heat gun gets hot enough to actually light the lump? Is that correct?
    Hendersonville, TN.
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    Yes that is correct. The air from the gun will light the lump in less than a minute. You just need to keep putting the air to it to really get it to going and to spread the flame.

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • Holepuncher
    Holepuncher Posts: 388
    Thanks, it sounds like i may see one in my future.
    Hendersonville, TN.
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    I think you will like it!


    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • flemster
    flemster Posts: 269
    Looftlighter for me and love it. Thus far holding up fine although I did melt the aluminum end in my lump, but still works like a charm. But when it dies it will get replaced w a cheaper heat gun....
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Keywords: Gator, Nashvegas, LBGE, Looftlighter, Thermapen in Racing Green (faster than the red one!), PSWOO2, Spider with CI, IQ120
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    @flemster I had a Looftlighter in my shopping cart, but at the last minute I decided to go with the heat gun. 

    The main reason for me was because it was about half the price but did the same job. 



    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 15,429
    I guess I'm glad my life is Slow and Boring; the BGE cubes work fine for me; no propane, extension cords, lightsabres, and only $0.37 per light...
    _____________

    "I mean, I don't just kill guys, I'm notorious for doing in houseplants."  - Maggie, Northern Exposure


  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,457
    Rutland fire starters cut into quarters placed at 12-3-6-9. About $0.11 per light.

    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
  • johnkitchens
    johnkitchens Posts: 5,227
    Botch said:
    I guess I'm glad my life is Slow and Boring; the BGE cubes work fine for me; no propane, extension cords, lightsabres, and only $0.37 per light...
    My life is boring, but it isn't slow. Between working late, swmbo, and the kids I don't have a lot of time. Anything I can do to speed it up is what I want.  

    Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
  • Texansurf
    Texansurf Posts: 507
    Botch said:
    I guess I'm glad my life is Slow and Boring; the BGE cubes work fine for me; no propane, extension cords, lightsabres, and only $0.37 per light...
    My life is boring, but it isn't slow. Between working late, swmbo, and the kids I don't have a lot of time. Anything I can do to speed it up is what I want.  
    I like to slow things down so the cubes work great for me, but that is why I live at the beach
    Corpus Christi, Texas.  LBGE x 2, Weber Smoky Joe, and Aussie Walk-About
  • HDumptyEsq
    HDumptyEsq Posts: 1,095
    Rub two Boy Scouts together!!

    Tony in Brentwood, TN.

    Medium BGE, New Braunfels off-set smoker, 3-burner Charbroiler gasser, mainly used for Eggcessory  storage, old electric upright now used for Amaz-N-Smoker.

    "I like cooking with wine - sometimes I put it in the food." - W. C. Fields

  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited April 2014
    Botch said:
    I guess I'm glad my life is Slow and Boring; the BGE cubes work fine for me; no propane, extension cords, lightsabres, and only $0.37 per light...
    My life is boring, but it isn't slow. Between working late, swmbo, and the kids I don't have a lot of time. Anything I can do to speed it up is what I want.  

    Start your fire first, then prep food, drink, whatever.  I let the egg warmup for at least an hour after I have reached targeted range, for everything I cook.  Preheating the ceramic and burning VOCs take some time.  There have been numerous posts recently on this issue.   

    Lighting a fire and throwing your food on in 30 min really doesn't utilize advantages of the egg.    

    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."