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Finally Experienced Lump Issues

hoosier_egger
hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
in EggHead Forum
I've read thread after thread about lump and lighting lump issues. I was going to do a simple cook last night and I couldn't get the lump to light. Now take into account that over the last three days we've had 4-5" of rain and a very humid environment, but the egg is under a covered porch out of the elements and my lump is stored on a shelf in the garage in it's original bag.

I usually light the egg with the oil soaked paper towel method. It has always worked great for me. Prior to this method I used a MAP gas torch. I did the usual method yesterday (using leftover lump in the egg), went inside to prep the food, came out 10 minutes later and nothing.

So, I grabbed the torch and blasted it for 10-15 seconds in a few spots....nothing. Replaces all the lump with new that had been stored in the garage. Paper towel method again....nothing.....MAP torch....nothing

Finally said the hell with it and fired up the Blackstone and cooked my meal. The only thing I can figured is that the lump absorbed moisture. Has anyone else ever experienced such? Ashes were cleaned before 1st attempt to light. Lump was KJ. Will the lump recover if it did absorb moisture or should I just pitch it? I've blown through over 100 lbs of lump in the last 4 months and never had a issue.
~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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Comments

  • saluki2007
    saluki2007 Posts: 6,354
    First thing I would do is make sure none of the air holes are obstructed.
    Large and Small BGE
    Central, IL

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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    Yeah, I thought that might have been the culprit initially, especially with the leftover lump. After replacing the existing lump with fresh KJ which is large, the holes were clear
    ~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • Darby_Crenshaw
    Darby_Crenshaw Posts: 2,657
    More than once, when damp or excessively humid, I have had the lump take a lot longer than anticpated to get going. 

    I usually triple up the paper towel drizzled (not soaked) with oil, leave the dome open, and just lament it all while having a cocktail
    [social media disclaimer: irony and sarcasm may be used in some or all of user's posts; emoticon usage is intended to indicate moderately jocular social interaction; the comments toward users, their usernames, and the real people (living or dead) that they refer to are not intended to be adversarial in nature; those replying to this user are entering into a tacit agreement that they are real-life or social-media acquaintances and/or have agreed to or tacitly agreed to perpetrate occasional good-natured ribbing between and among themselves and others]

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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    Did you forget to remove the ceramic cap? No airflow, no fire. Been there.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • chuckytheegghead
    chuckytheegghead Posts: 1,201
    I also experienced the same issue with KJ lump recently. Also, high humidity here as well. However, in my case the issue was resolved with fresh lump which was kept indoors. 
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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    Carolina Q said:
    Did you forget to remove the ceramic cap? No airflow, no fire. Been there.
    lol...No, cap was off. It was wide open top and bottom.

    Really has be baffled. Maybe it was bad juju from the Blackstone as it really wanted to be fired up. 
    ~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
    That's odd man. 1) Yes your lump can dry out and still burn fine. I left a bucket outside and it got poured on...I drained all the water out and let it dry in the sun for a few days and it was fine. (It's pretty humid down here, too.)

    2) I would have thought it was an airflow issue. Since you pulled all the charcoal out I can only think of two things. Just out of curiosity, did you recently remove and put your stones back in? I did that once and got distracted and accidentally put my hole in toward the back. Took me about 10 minutes to realize the thing couldn't breathe. Or you may have ash build up up underneath. 

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    ColtsFan said:
    ... Now take into account that over the last three days we've had 4-5" of rain and a very humid environment, but the egg is under a covered porch out of the elements and my lump is stored on a shelf in the garage in it's original bag.
    ......

    So, I grabbed the torch and blasted it for 10-15 seconds in a few spots....nothing. Replaces all the lump with new that had been stored in the garage. Paper towel method again....nothing.....MAP torch....nothing
    ....
    I live down in South Florida - lots of rain and humidity. The wetness you described is normal for us.  I use a propane torch. 10-15 seconds seems short.  I usually hit one spot for a minute or so.  The lump may be damp, but using the torch for longer on one spot will get the fire going. Once it gets going the fire will dry out the remaining lump and the fire should not have any more problems.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • Meeeshigan22
    Meeeshigan22 Posts: 308
    Have found the KJ lump tough to get going when it's damp and humid. Started a couple of cookers a few weeks back while it was raining, one with the KJ and one with RO. RO fired right up, KJ took a really long time.

    It's been raining here all night and morning, about to fire up the L for some ribs. Curious to see if I see the same results with KJ.
    Highland, MI

    L BGE, Primo, and a KJ Jr
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  • DieselkW
    DieselkW Posts: 915
    Never had that happen to me. I can't get the rocks to burn, but the lump always seems to take fire from my bacon grease soaked paper towel "joints".

    Indianapolis, IN

    BBQ is a celebration of culture in America. It is the closest thing we have to the wines and cheeses of Europe. 

    Drive a few hundred miles in any direction, and the experience changes dramatically. 



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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,635
    partially bury the paper towel with oil and light as you usually do, take a second twisted up oiled paper-towel and lay it on top, that second lit paper towel seems to create a little more draft to the buried one getting it lit faster and hotter
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Darby_Crenshaw said:
    More than once, when damp or excessively humid, I have had the lump take a lot longer than anticpated to get going. 

    I usually triple up the paper towel drizzled (not soaked) with oil, leave the dome open, and just lament it all while having a cocktail
    Member that Canadian crap Rodney brought on that one trip? Soaked with rain and lit up perfect 

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
    It should've lit. I'd look for other issues as the others have said. Pull it apart and make sure there's no clogs.
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • Cashfan
    Cashfan Posts: 416
    Interesting thread. I have had trouble lighting lately too, thought it was me, now maybe not. Now that I think about it, the trouble started out the time the humidity went up a few weeks ago here in MN. I've had to relight several times, both the large and the minimax. Usually stir, pour, light and up to temp before i know it; maybe I should bring the bag in use in the house. Pretty annoying to have to relight two or three times. Using a mapp torch and rockwood. I might start using the oiled paper towel method, or back to starters. The mapp torch is fun and usually quick, but I've burnt holes in two shirts and almost ruined a new of glasses. 
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  • cheeaa
    cheeaa Posts: 364
    Weird. I forgot my bag of royal oak lump was on the deck while it was raining all day. Later on when I went out to cook it fired right up. It wasn't all the way in the rain but half the outside was sopping.
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