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    Best non-electric lighting method

    Posts: 1,938
    edited August 2017 in EggHead Forum
    So, at home I use an electric heat element for lighting the BGE.
    But at my cabin in the mountains, that won't be so easy.
    So other than electrical sources, what is the best way to light an Egg.  I know I can use the little starter thingys that BGE sells, but I'm wondering if there are other good options.  I do have a chimney starter I can use from my Weber days, but I'm wondering if there is something better?  I've never used a chimney for lump.
    Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
    Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
     and a BBQ Guru temp controller.

    Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
    Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.

    Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line
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    «13

    Comments

    • Posts: 1,348
      Chimney for lump works fine. I did it that way for years. Now I use a propane torch. You can use an oil soaked paper towel, too. 
      Jefferson, GA
      XL BGE, MM, Things to flip meat over and stuff
      Wife, 3 kids, 5 dogs, 4 cats, 12 chickens, 2 goats, 2 pigs. 
      “Honey, we bought a farm.”
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    • Posts: 2,176
      I have been using the little Weber starter cubes. They work great, are easy to use, and inexpensive.
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    • Posts: 3,181
      I use a weed burner. No electric needed. 
      I like my butt rubbed and my pork pulled.
      Member since 2009
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    • Posts: 32
      I second the Weber starter cubes. They work great. 
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    • Posts: 1,282
      I use a torch. Cooking oil on a paper towel works great as a backup. 
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    • Posts: 8,364
      edited August 2017
      Bernzomatic Lawn and Garden Weed Torch user after receiving it as a gift....a game changer.
      Lighting grills, campfires, and burning weeds, no more pi $$ing around with starters or paper towels, and up to temp quick with the High Que grates.
      Brandon
      Quad Cities
      "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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    • Posts: 516
      +1 for Weber starter cubes.  You can also use 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.  There are some you tube videos on how to go about using the alcohol.  Did it a few times, had some interesting behavior, went back to starter cubes.
      Simi Valley, California
      LBGE, PBC, Annova, SMOBot
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    • Posts: 19,636
      Torch. 
      Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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    • Posts: 284
      Chimney works great for me. Amount of charcoal in the chimney can help with target temps.

      Bob
      Cooking on the coast
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    • Posts: 897
      I've been using the Rutland fire starters lately over the chimney stove. The Rutland's are under $2 for a box of 24 and seem identical to the BGE starters. It only takes 1/2 of a starter for the mini and small egg; probably could use a 1/2 on the large as well. The advantage of the chimney stove is that it gets the lump burning red hot and burning clean in just minutes. The big disadvantage of the chimney stove is a hot ember falling out. Not a problem on a concrete patio but a major issue on a wooden deck. The advantage of the fire starter is that the fire is contained within the egg. With a high quality lump it also is burning hot and smoke free in less than 5 minutes. Tried using a propane torch a couple of times. Had to stand there for awhile. I'd rather light a match and walk away to do something else.  
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    • Posts: 6,262

      Out on the cooking patio, I've got oiled paper towels in a ziploc recycled from the blackstone, two different styles of handheld torches, chimney starter, and a big weedburner.  

      I guess I have commitment issues, since I use them all.  They all work just fine.

      Phoenix 
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    • Posts: 14,544
      I like the starter cubes by weber or the cardboard type starter squares. 
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    • Posts: 366
      I used to use the starter "blocks" but they​ were made using old scented candle wax and took forever to burn off the smell before commencing cooking. Rather then try other brands of starters, I switched to propane torch. Never looked back.
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    • Posts: 5,958
      Mapp gas torch.  

      Also use to start fireplace and campfires. I never use it for plumbing. 

      To start campfires I use torch to light lump and lump to start logs. 
      Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
      Grand Rapids MI
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    • Posts: 5,958
      Also Mapp gas torch seems to last for a year or two or more.  I think I have been using it for 5 years and bought 2 tanks so far. 
      Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
      Grand Rapids MI
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    • Posts: 2,507
      I use nothing but paper towels soaked in corn oil. Never failed. 
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    • Posts: 461
      Michael
      Large BGE
      Reno, NV
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    • Posts: 9,867
      edited August 2017
      Weed torch 

      https://youtu.be/SnBLmt5ULcs
      ------------------------------
      Thomasville, NC
      My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
      Instagram
      Facebook
      My Photography Site
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    • Posts: 5,958
      JNDATHP said:
      That lump starter takes up a lot of room.  Do you store grilling accessories in there too?
      Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
      Grand Rapids MI
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    • Posts: 17,125
      Paper towels in cooking oil.
      "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

      XL and MM
      Louisville, Kentucky
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    • Posts: 33,785
      at camp i have a coffee can filled with papertowells dampened with oil. a big can fill lasts a year lighting an egg, the woodstove, and the fire pit.
      fukahwee maine

      you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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    • Posts: 304
      Find a local handyman to start it for you.  Then the stress is off your shoulders. Jk.......or am I?   Or any of the above will work
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    • Posts: 10,490
      Lots of options, but I came back to the torch. I use the Bernzomatic TS8000 torch head but I just use the cheap green bottles of propane. The oil and paper towel method is a great one to try even if you just use it as a backup method in case you are out of propane, starters, etc. 

      I still have some of this roll left. 

      Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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    • Posts: 1,838
      Mapp gas
      XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
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    • Posts: 10,490
      td66snrf said:
      Mapp gas
      FWIW you can't actually buy Mapp gas any more. The yellow bottle is "map/pro" and it only burns about 130 degrees hotter. It is 3730 vs 3600 deg F. That is less than 4% difference in temp and it costs more than double. Try the green bottle- you can't tell a difference. 

      Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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    • Posts: 124
      Mikee said:
      I've been using the Rutland fire starters lately over the chimney stove. The Rutland's are under $2 for a box of 24 and seem identical to the BGE starters. It only takes 1/2 of a starter for the mini and small egg; probably could use a 1/2 on the large as well. The advantage of the chimney stove is that it gets the lump burning red hot and burning clean in just minutes. The big disadvantage of the chimney stove is a hot ember falling out. Not a problem on a concrete patio but a major issue on a wooden deck. The advantage of the fire starter is that the fire is contained within the egg. With a high quality lump it also is burning hot and smoke free in less than 5 minutes. Tried using a propane torch a couple of times. Had to stand there for awhile. I'd rather light a match and walk away to do something else.  
      Yeah, and for 22 bucks you buy 144 of those Rutlands and not think about starting the fire again for many years. 
      Best - Jack
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    • Posts: 14,831
      For those using "Mapp" gas, they don't make Mapp gas any more, haven't for years. Only MAP-Pro. MAP-Pro is not significantly hotter than propane so if you are spending $10 for a 14 oz yellow cylinder, you might as well switch to a $3 16 oz cylinder of propane next time you need some. And the fat green 1 lb cylinders are less likely to tip over, possibly damaging the torch head.

      I believe that Mapp burned at 5300°, Map-Pro is only 3600° and propane, 3450°. You need the Map-Pro torch because it works well when inverted. But Map-Pro gas is a waste of money. 


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

      Michael 
      Central Connecticut 

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    • Posts: 11,379
      =======================================
      XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP PitBoss Navigator 850G 11/25
      Tampa Bay, FL
      EIB 6 Oct 95
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    • Posts: 1,157
      Two Rutland fire starter squares work great for my LBGE.
      Large Egg, PGS A40 gasser.
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