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Lighting your coals

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sjm1027
sjm1027 Posts: 154
in EggHead Forum
what do others use for lighting their coals? I've been having a difficult time
XL BGE ~ XL AR ~ XL WOO ~ 20" grate ~ 17.5" stone ~ slide guides ~ Oval grate ~ 18" drip pan ~ Thermapen MK4 ~ SmokeWare SS chimney cap ~ Weber blue tooth thermometer 
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  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 10,767
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    Many many ways bit always chimney for me
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 6,304
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    Looftlighter personally, others use weed burners or paper towels soaked in oil. It is largely a personal preference.
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    sjm1027 said:
    what do others use for lighting their coals? I've been having a difficult time
    What have you been doing? And what has been difficult? I usually use a propane torch. Cheap and effective.

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

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
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    Lots of ways to light. I use a weed torch.


    If you are having problems, my guess is not a good air flow.  Make sure you don't have an air blockage.
    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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  • Jeremiah
    Jeremiah Posts: 6,412
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    Good quality lighter fluid. Usually Kingsford. 
    Slumming it in Aiken, SC. 
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
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    heat
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • SmokeyLopey
    SmokeyLopey Posts: 435
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    @Jeremiah: Surely you are teasing abt using lighter fluid in your egg?!
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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,989
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    SmokeyLopey said:
    @Jeremiah: Surely you are teasing abt using lighter fluid in your egg?!
    He does live on the edge....
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • sjm1027
    sjm1027 Posts: 154
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    I have been using the BGE square wafer board soaked in wax. 
    XL BGE ~ XL AR ~ XL WOO ~ 20" grate ~ 17.5" stone ~ slide guides ~ Oval grate ~ 18" drip pan ~ Thermapen MK4 ~ SmokeWare SS chimney cap ~ Weber blue tooth thermometer 
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  • sjm1027
    sjm1027 Posts: 154
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    Gulfcoastguy said:
    Looftlighter personally, others use weed burners or paper towels soaked in oil. It is largely a personal preference.
    How do you like Looftlighter?
    XL BGE ~ XL AR ~ XL WOO ~ 20" grate ~ 17.5" stone ~ slide guides ~ Oval grate ~ 18" drip pan ~ Thermapen MK4 ~ SmokeWare SS chimney cap ~ Weber blue tooth thermometer 
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  • BugFreak72
    BugFreak72 Posts: 246
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    Looflighter here. 
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  • Cornholio
    Cornholio Posts: 1,047
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    I use a BGE electric starter I bought when I purchased my egg in 2011.  Still works, I prep stuff while it’s lighting, never had an issue, no need to change until it dies.  After it does die I will go torch route.  
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  • ColtsFan
    ColtsFan Posts: 6,346
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    JJ George Grill Torch or weed burner if I'm in a big hurry 
    ~ John - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, KJ Jr, PK Original, Ardore Pizza Oven, King Disc 
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • mahenryak
    mahenryak Posts: 1,324
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    lentsboy007 said:
    Used to do the propane torch , got tired of popping sparks . Went to vegetable oil soaked paper towel and will never go back . Fire is ready quicker and no sparks or uneven spread . 
    Do you soak the paper towels and have them at the ready in a gallon freezer bag?  Just curious, I happen to still be using a propane torch.
    LG BGE, KJ Jr, Smokin Bros. Premier 36 and Pizza Party Bollore



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  • Shiff
    Shiff Posts: 1,835
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    I don't like the waxy starters due to the smell. I half fill a chimney with used charcoal, then sprinkle some 91% alcohol on the coals in the BGE then put the chimney on top of where I sprinkled and toss in a match.  Works very quickly with no bad odors.
    Large BGE
    Barry, Lancaster, PA
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,898
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    I have used several of the popular methods over the years, but now for the last couple years I use 1 Rutland square  buried swallow in the center and then squirt inexpensive 91% rubbing alcohol. The extent of my squirting depends on how soon I want to get the fire stabilized and the temperature thereof.
    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • Eoin
    Eoin Posts: 4,304
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    Paper towels soaked in oil. Fold them to a narrow strip, tie a knot in the middle and stuff them in a jam jar - as many as will fit. Pour on some oil, which will spread through the paper over a day, so the towels are not soaked in oil and burn well. Works really well and is great if you're cheap like I am.
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  • lentsboy007
    lentsboy007 Posts: 416
    edited July 2019
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    mahenryak said:
    lentsboy007 said:
    Used to do the propane torch , got tired of popping sparks . Went to vegetable oil soaked paper towel and will never go back . Fire is ready quicker and no sparks or uneven spread . 
    Do you soak the paper towels and have them at the ready in a gallon freezer bag?  Just curious, I happen to still be using a propane torch.
    Nah, right before I’m ready to light I take two paper towels and fold them each into approx 3 by 3 inch squares , stack in a bowl and pour enough veg oil on them to lightly soak . Take them right outside .  Dig a shallow bowl in coals , the key is to use a small butane lighter , but a regular stick lighter  will work if u don’t have one . Light the edges and when it starts burning lightly place a few chunks of charcoal over the burning paper towel. Walk away and u will have flames going soon . 

    However I do like Eoin’s idea of having them in a jar ready to go . 

    1 Large Egg, Blackstone griddle

    Belgium...........The Netherlands??

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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 15,491
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    @sjm1027
    I've been egging for at least six years now, and it seems I'm having more and more trouble lighting my lump; I don't get it.  
    I started with the BGE paraffin squares, and didn't have a problem for a long time.  Got a different brand (can't remember if they were Rutlands) and they worked.  I tried the paper towel/oil method, that was hit or miss, and totally miss in the wintertime.  Someone here suggested paper towels used to drain breakfast bacon; GREAT, no cost and 100% recycling, but again, hit or miss.  
    Went back to BGE squares, and two of them didn't even stay lit by themselves, and this was this summer!!!  Finally went into walmart (I hate that place) and bought the 91% isopropyl, used a double-shot; again, hit or miss (plus, I always seemed to get my hand wet with alcohol, a recipe for Botching it up badly).  
    I had been avoiding the torch route, because my Eggs are on a deck.  Got the Grilltorch on sale for $25,
    https://www.jjgeorgestore.com/grill-torch-charcoal-starter-20-reach/?sku=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Iv60p7W4wIVEr7ACh1BawguEAQYAyABEgIFUvD_BwE
    It doesn't spark as much as the high-power Looflighters, weedburners, Phoo-phighters that I've seen in videos here, and in my Small it works great; the shaft length from the bottle to the nozzle is too short to use easily in my Large (and I'm not able to rotate the nozzle upwards, to light my lump through the bottom intake, as I was hoping).  
    So, I feel your pain, and don't have a 100% answer for you.  Need to order a box of Rutlands to see if they work better in my Large.  I'm happy with the Grilltorch for my Small (and it worked in the winter).  
    _____________

    Tin soldiers and Johnson's coming...


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  • WildmanWilson
    WildmanWilson Posts: 482
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    I've been using the Rutland wax squares for many years. Never had any issues. Maybe your lump is high in moisture...? Is airflow an issue? Too much ash or small pieces may be restricting airflow. Just a thought.
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 6,304
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    sjm1027 said:
    Gulfcoastguy said:
    Looftlighter personally, others use weed burners or paper towels soaked in oil. It is largely a personal preference.
    How do you like Looftlighter?
    It suits my needs and has done so for several years. I start a low and slow with one spot that I focus on until the coals are orange hot in about a softball size. Two or three spot for a quick hot fire.
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  • Theophan
    Theophan Posts: 2,654
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    I used to use the starter squares, and they were fine, just slow.  But for years, now, I've been using a MAP gas torch, and it's SO fast and so easy, I can't imagine going to anything else.  I do sometimes get showers of sparks, and burned a tiny hole in a favorite shirt, once, but again I've been doing this for years, now, and only one such mishap.  I always put on safety glasses first...
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  • danv23
    danv23 Posts: 953
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    nolaegghead said:
    heat
    Please, illuminate.

    The Dude: This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head. Luckily I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep my mind, you know, limber.

    Walter Sobchak: Nihilists! *uck me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos. 

    Cumming, GA

    Eggs - XL, L, Small

    Gasser - Weber Summit 6 Burner

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  • milesvdustin
    milesvdustin Posts: 2,882
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    nolaegghead said:
    heat
    Dang, I've been doing it wrong all this time 

    2 LBGE, Blackstone 36, Jumbo Joe

    Egging in Southern Illinois (Marion)

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,102
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    Fire = Oxygen + Fuel + Heat
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Matt86m
    Matt86m Posts: 471
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    If you are using the squares I found they work better if you let them burn for a bit before loading charcoal on top of them. You can snuff them out if you do it too soon. leave air gaps when I stack pieces on top of them too.
    XL aka Senior, Mini Max aka Junior, Weber Q's, Blackstone 22, Lion built in, RecTec Mini 300, Lodge Hibachi, Uuni, wife says I have too many grills,,,,how many shoes do you have?
     
    IG -->  matt_86m
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  • 1voyager
    1voyager Posts: 1,157
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    Another vote for Rutland squares. 
    Large Egg, PGS A40 gasser.
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  • JohnEggGio
    JohnEggGio Posts: 1,430
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    I like these little bundles.  Get them at Home Depot.  I build a little teepee of coals around it.  Works great.

    Maryland, 1 LBGE
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