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Gas torches and cold weather

Powak
Powak Posts: 1,412
in EggHead Forum
Any if you fellas in the cold regions struggle with gas torches for lighting the egg in winter? Last 2 years I used a BGE electric hoop starter until it crapped out and then switched to an JJ George grill torch this summer. Works great but as the weather dips down into the 20s up here in New England, even with maps gas she’s a struggling. I’m debating about going back to electric and grabbing a Looftlighter for the cold months.
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Comments

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    the small canister tanks freeze to fast when lit. think 20 or 40 pound tank with the inexpensive harbor freight weed burner. im just oil and napkin now, even for the coal stove with lump as a starter.
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Komokaegger
    Komokaegger Posts: 60
    I have been using the paper towel dampened with vegetable oil and a basic lighter for a while now which has never failed to light. Its been very cold during several cooks and in my opinion its better to warm the egg slow and steady to not shock the ceramics,,,FWIW
    Ontario, Canada
    XL- BGE
    CGS- AR, spider, PS WOO, 
    KAB
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    Pro-tip:  Store your propane tank where it's warm.
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    nolaegghead said:
    Pro-tip:  Store your propane tank where it's warm.
    last winter was ridiculous, about 2 and a half weeks 20 plus below.  beer warmed on a heater froze in my hand in just a few minutes, it actually froze in my hand.  they also started making propane ice augers, dumb dumb dumb
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    fishlessman said:
    nolaegghead said:
    Pro-tip:  Store your propane tank where it's warm.
    last winter was ridiculous, about 2 and a half weeks 20 plus below.  beer warmed on a heater froze in my hand in just a few minutes, it actually froze in my hand.  they also started making propane ice augers, dumb dumb dumb
    You're not drinking it fast enough, fish!
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    fishlessman said:
    the small canister tanks freeze to fast when lit. think 20 or 40 pound tank with the inexpensive harbor freight weed burner. im just oil and napkin now, even for the coal stove with lump as a starter.
    Yeah I think I may just grab a tank and hose to go to my JJ torch.
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  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,459
    Pro tip:  move!
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    I'm not ashamed to admit this - I switched to 91% rubbing alcohol and a square of Rutland fire starters. This method gets my cold eggs up to speed quickly!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • PlanoPokes79
    PlanoPokes79 Posts: 207
    91% rubbing alcohol is all I have used for years, hasn't failed me yet. Cold or hot outside,  works really fast.
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,597
    Have never had a problem with my Mapp torch in blisteringly cold weather (-4F at present, and it gets A LOT colder at times). This being said, I generally store my torch in the garage, where it is a little warmer. I am so happy with the torch that I would not consider reverting to something like starter cubes or soaked paper towel (though I can appreciate that some prefer these methods). 
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  • BGEChicago
    BGEChicago Posts: 575
    What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Chicago, IL BGE XL BGE Mini Webber Charcoal / Elmhurst, IL
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  • hoosier_egger
    hoosier_egger Posts: 6,808
    I store my JJ George torch and a spare tank in the utility room this time of year 
    ~ 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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  • coachbriseno
    coachbriseno Posts: 41
    It doesn't get any more reliable than paper towels and vegetable oil.  I contemplated going the weed burner route before settling on this method.  Glad I did.  Use the money you're saving to buy a few prime cuts of beef.
    Large BGE (2008) - Weber Summit (2018)
    210 TX
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  • td66snrf
    td66snrf Posts: 1,838
    edited December 2018
    I've used Mapp for decades for decades and I've never had an issue and it's dropping into the high 50's overnight. BRRRRRR.
    XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
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  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    ColtsFan said:
    I store my JJ George torch and a spare tank in the utility room this time of year 
    Yeah I keep mine in the garage which almost as cold as outside. We’re sitting down in the teens to 30s up here. 
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  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    When I was using my torch yesterday it was like it lost pressure and the gas was just gently rolling out. 
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  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    coachbriseno said:
    It doesn't get any more reliable than paper towels and vegetable oil.  I contemplated going the weed burner route before settling on this method.  Glad I did.  Use the money you're saving to buy a few prime cuts of beef.
    I’m seriously thinking about switching to this method. How much paper towels do you use each lightoff and do you have to soak the paper towels in the oil? How about ashes?
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    Powak said:
    coachbriseno said:
    It doesn't get any more reliable than paper towels and vegetable oil.  I contemplated going the weed burner route before settling on this method.  Glad I did.  Use the money you're saving to buy a few prime cuts of beef.
    I’m seriously thinking about switching to this method. How much paper towels do you use each lightoff and do you have to soak the paper towels in the oil? How about ashes?
    it works better if you soak them but either way works. in a coffee can you have a years worth and you end up using less oil and its a nice even soak, not drippy. one works as shown but a second laying on top of this setup creates a better draw of air at startup

    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Powak
    Powak Posts: 1,412
    fishlessman said:
    Powak said:
    coachbriseno said:
    It doesn't get any more reliable than paper towels and vegetable oil.  I contemplated going the weed burner route before settling on this method.  Glad I did.  Use the money you're saving to buy a few prime cuts of beef.
    I’m seriously thinking about switching to this method. How much paper towels do you use each lightoff and do you have to soak the paper towels in the oil? How about ashes?
    it works better if you soak them but either way works. in a coffee can you have a years worth and you end up using less oil and its a nice even soak, not drippy. one works as shown but a second laying on top of this setup creates a better draw of air at startup

    Does one selecta sheet do the trick for a good light? I’m making my sheets in the can right now.
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