Propane Toch as a Starter

TXSamIam · June 2018

My BGE isn't near and electric outlet so I can't use any of the starters that run on electricity. Is anyone using the benzomatic Propane torches as a starter? If so how does it work?

blasting · June 2018

Yes, that'll work well. Most often i just use an oiled paper towel, which is another easy option ( and plentifull if you have a blackstone).

Kent8621 · June 2018

I have been using the jj George grill torch with propane and it works great. I was using the fire starting cubes since I ran out had them laying around, I have noticed I can get it up to temp a lot quicker with the torch.

Zeiger88 · June 2018

This is what I use because it doesn’t go out when upside down

Carolina Q · June 2018

Bernzomatic TS-8000 torch with standard propane (Map-Pro gas costs 3x as much and accomplishes nothing). Been using it since 2009. The 8000 because it works well when inverted. A cylinder lasts a long time. Works great.

hogfan412 · June 2018

I've used it. In your situation I like the Weber Light things - like candles. They work well and are cheap. Never had good luck with oil and paper towels. The Weber things are cheap enough on Amazon.

OshawaDave · June 2018

I used my propane torch on the weekend because my BGE starter cubes were damp. The torch worked fine, but, I still prefer the fire started cubes.

Theophan · June 2018

I tried a (regular) propane torch years ago and had a lot of trouble with it when I'd turn it upside down to light a fire in the Egg. They're not made for that. It kept choking on me.

Then I bought a MAPP torch, and it worked like a champ. I kept hearing people claim that propane works just as well in them, so what I'm using now IS propane, and it works fine (I actually do think I liked it a little better with the MAP gas, though), and it works quite well. I think what you need isn't so much the different gas but a torch that's designed better for being used upside down. In my experience, anyway, a "regular" propane torch doesn't work well because it's not designed to be used pointing downward.

lkapigian · June 2018

still in the chimney camp---I feel it gives me a running start once dumped in the egg, and I just use old un burnt lump

Kent8621 · June 2018

this is the one I was speaking of

http://www.jjgeorgestore.com/grill-torch-charcoal-starter/

jwc6160 · June 2018

I got a propane weed burner on discount a few years ago at Lowe’s and haven’t looked back. Hit the lump in a few spots for a minute or so and I’m good.

Grillinois · June 2018

I've used a weed burner with propane for quite a while now. It keeps you farther from the pieces of lump that pop and shoot embers at you. One bottle of propane lasts for months.

Carolina Q · June 2018

Mapp (discontinued about 10 years ago), Flame temp 5300° I think, though that may have been with oxygen. And it doesn't matter anyway.

Map-Pro, 3730°, $11/14.1 oz

Propane, 3600°, $3.12/16 oz

kdink · June 2018

Just recently got the JJGeorge and love it. Lights so much faster than stater cubes

Sandor181 · June 2018

Since getting my BGE about six weeks ago, I've been using the same small propane soldering cylinder with the Trigger Start Torch to light it up. It usually takes about thirty seconds to a minute to get a spot started, then I close the lid with the bottom vent and daisy wheel wide open. It take a couple minutes and then the dome thermometer will start to show the rise in temp. I also check through the opening of the daisy wheel to make sure I gave the torch enough time to get a spot glowing.

Of the twenty or so times that I've fired it up, I only had to go back once to re-light and I think it's because it was the end of the bag of lump, which choked out the air with too many small pieces.

I like it a lot more than using the fire starter blocks, but have those as a back up. I thought I'd go through the propane a lot faster, but my original cylinder is hanging tough!

SemolinaPilchard · June 2018

What Grillinois said.

jtcBoynton · June 2018

I use a weed torch - works well.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/5o/nk3wbiuz35as.jpg

jwc6160 · June 2018

Grillinois said:

I've used a weed burner with propane for quite a while now. It keeps you farther from the pieces of lump that pop and shoot embers at you. One bottle of propane lasts for months.

This is exactly what I have. Works great.

smokeybreeze · June 2018

I've used MAPP gas, Propane, wax fireplace starters, oiled paper towels, methanol, and other starters, but my fail-safe go-to starter is the MAPP or Propane torch to light 3 areas of the lump to get the best burn for up to 24+ hours of leave it and forget it temperature control.

YMMV

KennyLee · June 2018

Zeiger88 said:

This is what I use because it doesn’t go out when upside down

What I've been using since I got the Egg.....25-30 seconds in 3 spots around the perimeter and it's ready to go in 10 minutes. And a can of the blue propane lasts for at least 6 months@ $4 a pop and I cook 3-5x a week.

You'll love it.

Grillinois · June 2018

Not to bang the standard torch head but the weed burner is around the same price and it keeps the gas cylinder upright. It might be a unitasker but it works for lighting lump.

Propane Toch as a Starter

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