Lighting your coals

womaus · October 2019

You guys are so old school. Get with the times, eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8

Botch · October 2019

jorlnixon said:

I am getting my BGE next week. I have often lit my coals in other grills by crinkling up newspaper into a long snake looking thing and then tying them into a knot that looks like a doughnut. It has always worked fine. I use it in my fire place too. Is there any reason not to do this in the egg? It is fast and cheap and I always have newspapers lying around, except for recycling day. even then I put out the recycle bin before I finish that day's paper.

First off, WELCOME @jorinixon, enjoy the learning experience, and you've found the right forum to get your questions answered (it's a lot of fun too).

To edit a post: move your curser to the top of your post, same level as your name, and a gear symbol will appear to the right; click on that, and you can edit your post. Here's the bugaboo, however: you only have 60 minutes (30 minutes?) to edit your post; after that, its burned into firmware and you can't change it anymore, For All Eternity! (I've had some hydrocarbon-fueled rants on a Friday night that I wish I could take back, as have most of us, but you can't; you've been warned!

).

As far as lighting your Egg, I've gone through almost all the methods. My small box of BGE squares worked fine the first summer, and the cheaper Rutland squares worked fine after that. One person here used his paper towels that he drained his breakfast bacon on, at the bottom of the bowl (you need a Kick Ash Basket to be able to do this). I thought that was a great idea, and it worked perfectly for me, no extra cost or waste, but it didn't work in the wintertime here, not enough BTUs to ignite 30º lump, even with two towels. I tried the high-strength rubbing alcohol (WalMart) but it too wasn't enough in the wintertime; it also is MUCH less viscous than water, and you can easily get some on your hands or sleeves, fire hazard (esp. if you're as clumsy as I am). Tried a smaller torch (see my post above) but its not working now.
The only thing I haven't tried are the electric starters, either forced hot-air or a heating coil that's nestled into the lump. They work but you have to find a safe place to set them down, away from kids and pets (plus, I abhor extension cords). Not for me.
I'm back to using Rutland squares, and I have a high suspicion that they are NOT similar to the BGE squares, even though they look the same. They're much easier to light, and seem to burn hotter (I'll have to set up an experiment to be sure). If the twisted newspaper method works for you, go for it. Some folks use a chimney starter with a sheet of newsprint too, then pour the lit lump into the Egg; whatever works.

Make sure to post your first cook, with pics!

MNEggerandStuff · October 2019

Map gas (yellow bottle) from Home Depot with a small benzomatic head. 20 seconds in two spots. I then close the door with no vent on top and wide open on the bottom. Come back in 10-15 minutes for a 400°ish fire. Adjust from there.

Bonus is that the same setup works great for soldering water pipes and big wires.

Carolina Q · October 2019

MNEggerandStuff said:

Map gas (yellow bottle) from Home Depot with a small benzomatic head. 20 seconds in two spots. I then close the door with no vent on top and wide open on the bottom. Come back in 10-15 minutes for a 400°ish fire. Adjust from there.

Bonus is that the same setup works great for soldering water pipes and big wires.

@MNEggerandStuff, save yourself a few bucks and buy a plain old propane cylinder. Works just as well for any application at 1/3 the price.

The temp difference is minimal. Really.

Kent8621 · October 2019

Botch said:

Kent8621 said:

i used the JJ George Grill torch, i have never had an issue getting it down to my large. it has about a 7" flame on it so it shoots the fire down in the fire box, i hit 3 spots around the egg for 30-60 seconds then walk away and its ready to go in 10-15 minutes.

@Kent8621, how long have you had your JJGeorge? I saw it on sale (last black friday?) for $25, and figured I'd give it a try.

It worked great, and didn't spray sparks all over the place like the videos of the Looflighter showed (I'm on a combustible deck). However, after using it less than a dozen times, it will no longer stay lit. My bottle isn't empty yet, it still whooshes when I open it up, and the piezo pushbutton starter still works (these things don't last long, as I learned on a couple gas Webers) and it will light, but won't stay lit. The thing is welded together, so can't be disassembled for cleaning, and I can blow into the air holes up by the valve and it appears clear; it just won't stay lit. I'm stumped.

i have had mine a long time and never had an issue with it. i would go to the website and contact them online and i am sure john will get back to you quickly with a response. if you dont get an answer send me a message with your contact info and i can call him directly and and help you out that way.

MNEggerandStuff · October 2019

Carolina Q said:

MNEggerandStuff said:

Map gas (yellow bottle) from Home Depot with a small benzomatic head. 20 seconds in two spots. I then close the door with no vent on top and wide open on the bottom. Come back in 10-15 minutes for a 400°ish fire. Adjust from there.

Bonus is that the same setup works great for soldering water pipes and big wires.

@MNEggerandStuff, save yourself a few bucks and buy a plain old propane cylinder. Works just as well for any application at 1/3 the price.

The temp difference is minimal. Really.

You are also correct it is cheaper to get just propane and I wouldn't tell anyone they had to have map over propane, I was just stating what I do.

You're also correct that there isn't that much of a temp difference until I add in the oxygen bottle.

Since I have it and use it for other stuff it works for me. If you are not using it for other stuff than propane is just fine to light the grill with and as you have said, cheaper too.

Bear 007 · October 2019

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/93/s738z9d2cgqf.jpg

Teefus · October 2019

Propane torch. No muss, no fuss.

caliking · October 2019

@Botch something similar happens with my Bernzomatic torch head 2-3 times a year because spiders like to make webs in it and clog it up. Works just fine after cleaning with a pipe cleaner. But the Bernzomatic torch head is shorter, and so is easier to clean.

alaskanassasin · October 2019

Waiting on @stlcharcoal to line everyone out on map gas

Powak · October 2019

Botch said:

Kent8621 said:

i used the JJ George Grill torch, i have never had an issue getting it down to my large. it has about a 7" flame on it so it shoots the fire down in the fire box, i hit 3 spots around the egg for 30-60 seconds then walk away and its ready to go in 10-15 minutes.

@Kent8621, how long have you had your JJGeorge? I saw it on sale (last black friday?) for $25, and figured I'd give it a try.

It worked great, and didn't spray sparks all over the place like the videos of the Looflighter showed (I'm on a combustible deck). However, after using it less than a dozen times, it will no longer stay lit. My bottle isn't empty yet, it still whooshes when I open it up, and the piezo pushbutton starter still works (these things don't last long, as I learned on a couple gas Webers) and it will light, but won't stay lit. The thing is welded together, so can't be disassembled for cleaning, and I can blow into the air holes up by the valve and it appears clear; it just won't stay lit. I'm stumped.

I’ve got the same rig except I use mapp tanks on mine. I find it works pretty good until I get down to the last bit of gas. Then the gas comes out with lower pressure as doesn’t get things quite as hot. I’ve also gotta Bernzomatic with the trigger/valve button. How do you guys leave those Bernzos in for bit without worrying about the tank blowing up? Those do seem to get more out of a tank of gas and also produce a hotter more direct flame.

stlcharcoal · October 2019

alaskanassasin said:

Waiting on @stlcharcoal to line everyone out on map gas

Here ya go! The "mapp scam"......

MAPP has not been manufactured since 2008. MAPP was acronym of the chemical compound.

MAP-Pro is what comes is the yellow bottles now and it's just propane with less impurities. It stands for "MAx Power-Propane". So, at most, it only burns 130F hotter than blue bottle Propane.

Don't spend $12/bottle vs. $3-4 for propane for 130F (4%).

JethroBodeen · October 2019

@Powak I just stand there and light three or four spots with a handheld. Put it down and walk away. It may take 5 minutes but I dont think so.

milesvdustin · October 2019

tbutleriv said:

Good ole heat gun. $30 and works great.

I used to use a cheap heat gun from harbor freight until I forgot it was lighting my egg once and burnt to a crisp.

Carolina Q · October 2019

Cheapest place I've found for propane cylinders is here, 4x1 lb cylinders, $12.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Propane-Fuel-16oz-4-pack/47501438

One of those and a MAP torch head (they work upside down) and you're good to go. They also do plumbing.

oldgeezeystax · October 2019

Carolina Q said:

Cheapest place I've found for propane cylinders is here, 4x1 lb cylinders, $12.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Propane-Fuel-16oz-4-pack/47501438

One of those and a MAP torch head (they work upside down) and you're good to go. They also do plumbing.

been eyeing up this setup to burn weeds that grow in my sidewalk (in addition to egg lighting), think it could meet this need?

Carolina Q · October 2019

oldgeezeystax said:

Carolina Q said:

Cheapest place I've found for propane cylinders is here, 4x1 lb cylinders, $12.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Propane-Fuel-16oz-4-pack/47501438

One of those and a MAP torch head (they work upside down) and you're good to go. They also do plumbing.

been eyeing up this setup to burn weeds that grow in my sidewalk (in addition to egg lighting), think it could meet this need?

I wouldn't want to walk around bent over like that. Get yourself a weed burner. Harbor Freight has 'em cheap. I don't think the 1 lb cylinders will fit though. You'd have to use a 20 pound tank. I don't have either. Maybe someone who does can chime in.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=greenwood weed torch

stlcharcoal · October 2019

Carolina Q said:

oldgeezeystax said:

Carolina Q said:

Cheapest place I've found for propane cylinders is here, 4x1 lb cylinders, $12.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Propane-Fuel-16oz-4-pack/47501438

One of those and a MAP torch head (they work upside down) and you're good to go. They also do plumbing.

been eyeing up this setup to burn weeds that grow in my sidewalk (in addition to egg lighting), think it could meet this need?

I wouldn't want to walk around bent over like that. Get yourself a weed burner. Harbor Freight has 'em cheap. I don't think the 1 lb cylinders will fit though. You'd have to use a 20 pound tank. I don't have either. Maybe someone who does can chime in.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=greenwood weed torch

If you buy the adapter that allows you to fill 1# cylinders from a 20#, then you can cut the hose down and make it work.

dbCooper · October 2019

I have the first generation KickAsh Basket, it came with instructions stating to light charcoal by placing several crumpled balls of newspaper under the basket. Tried that once but used a Weber starter cube instead of newspaper. That method resulted longer time for coals to get going and produced prolonged nasty smoke at start up.

I never tried that method again. Does anyone light from the bottom?

MNEggerandStuff · October 2019

How long do the propane bottled last? I have been getting about 9 months out of one of the small yellow bottles and I use them on average twice a week. Do the green ones last as long?

stlcharcoal · October 2019

dbCooper said:

I have the first generation KickAsh Basket, it came with instructions stating to light charcoal by placing several crumpled balls of newspaper under the basket. Tried that once but used a Weber starter cube instead of newspaper. That method resulted longer time for coals to get going and produced prolonged nasty smoke at start up.

I never tried that method again. Does anyone light from the bottom?

Yeah, I'll just stick the torch head through the draft door and light from the bottom. Also a good way to relight if you get a flame out on a low and slow (so you don't have to take out the meat, drip pan, plate setter, etc.)

Just be careful lighting from the bottom because heat travels up and lights the charcoal above it. The fire can get away from you if you're not in time closing the draft door and daisy wheel. Remember, it takes a good size fire to warm up the ceramic, so by the time you reach temp, you might have way too much charcoal burning and overshoot. I always light from the top on low and slows, unless I have to restart it.

Carolina Q · October 2019

MNEggerandStuff said:

How long do the propane bottled last? I have been getting about 9 months out of one of the small yellow bottles and I use them on average twice a week. Do the green ones last as long?

Never paid any attention to that, but it lasts a long time. Also, the green bottles are 16 oz, the yellow or blue are 14 oz. The greens are less likely to tip over too.

JethroBodeen · October 2019

I cant even remember when I changed my standard green bottle. It depends on how long you use it each time. I dont spend a lot of time lighting...

speed51133 · October 2019

use compressed air, from an air compressor, NOT a can. a spider or the like can cause what you are experiencing.

EagleIII · October 2019

95% of the time, I use a chimney. Two crumpled sheets of newspaper in the bottom of the chimney, fill with charcoal, light newspaper. 10 minutes later you have flames shooting out the top of the chimney. Pour lit chimney coals on top of the coals in the egg and you are ready to roll. This has never failed me, except for the one time my chimney got rained on right after I lit it! Also, for me, its a bit of an ego thing, in that it's a zero cost method to get the charcoal lit...

Botch · October 2019

dbCooper said:
I never tried that method again. Does anyone light from the bottom?

When I was experimenting with the paper towels under my breakfast bacon, I did crumple them up and place them at the bottom (you need a KAB to do this, or it sure helps). This method doesn't work when its really cold outside; today I did it with my Small and it lit right up.
I figure, you always start a campfire from the bottom, why not your lump? Plus, in the earlier days, I'd always use a single starter square top-dead-center, and on low-und-slows the fire would often go out overnight (this was before I got the KAB). One time, the fire burned a hole straight down thru the lump, and went out when it reached the bottom (the lump around the sides was unburned!) Wish I'd taken a photo of that (it was 0300 in the a.m.), probably a unique fluke.

djmsalem · October 2019

I've used the Bernzomatic torch with Mapp gas for 10 years. I always wear goggles, occasionally get a spark burn on my forearm or shirt, but it always works like a champ. I usually do 25 seconds in three spots. Fastest and easiest way to start the Egg, IMHO, and fun, too.

scdaf · October 2019

Harbor freight heat gun, $8.99 with coupon, minimal sparking, easy as pie that somebody else baked. Baffled by distaste of extension cords?

Carolina Q · October 2019

djmsalem said:

I've used the Bernzomatic torch with Mapp gas for 10 years...

@djmsalem, they haven't made/sold real Mapp gas in over 10 years. Map-pro only. Which is little more than propane. Save yourself $6 or $7 per cylinder and just buy propane.

djmsalem · October 2019

@Carolina Q, an excellent tip, and thanks!

Lighting your coals

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