new speedi-sticks

zaphod · January 25

I picked up a pack of the new speedilight sticks last weekend and tried one out today. Late in the "normal" bbq season, the grocery was blowing out baskets designed for haystack starters. It happens to be the right size for the new sticks. They look pretty much identical in composition to the speedilights, but 20 to a pack, not 24. But I tend to use 2 speedilights at a time, so the new sticks will save me a buck or two.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ng/fq8f2e8f48nk.jpeg

the basket is pretty much an exact fit. lots of air flow for when I bury this in the lump.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/jt/qyeydob4xeor.jpeg

If I was smart I would have lit the stick through the big holes in the cage with my match, but I was stupid, lit the stick outside the cage and then moved really fast to get the now burning stick into the cage, close the cage and bury it in the lump.

After a few minutes you can see a lot of nice ignition flames from within that pile of lump.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/xc/68n8vqqpjvtv.jpeg

after 10 minutes the fire was well on it's way with lots of ignited charcoal. Enough heat to crack that "log" of lump in two.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ws/w1u675i9riu8.jpeg

I wasn't sure about keeping the cage at 425F for an hour so I pulled out the cage - none of the stick was present in the cage, it had all burned up. Usually after 10 minutes there is still some speedilight cubes left and still burning, but the stick was all gone. A couple of minutes on the grills that were waiting to go in and the cage was all cool.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/1j/dalnftvotulo.jpeg

Overall, I would say that the new speedilight sticks are a winner. I don't know how they will work without a cage, but with one they work as good if not better than the original speedilight cubes. I'll probably keep the cubes on hand for a small centered fire when I wok.

With BGE mothership coming out with haystacks as well as sticks, It would be a good idea for them to roll out a BGE cage, I can't imagine using the sticks without cage.

Overall - a winner.

MaskedMarvel · January 25

They look Ike the same composition of what we use for lighting the fireplace. Food safe?

zaphod · January 25

I think they are pressed wood with wax of some sort. No more or less food safe than the lump itself. So I wouldn't bite into one, but I have no concern about using them.

The idea behind speedilights in not new.

Somewhere in the early 70's or so, my grandpa was cleaning out the shed and showed my dad and I some fire lighters that he'd picked up. Me being in scouts, he thought they would be useful. I still have some, and they look pretty much identical to speedilights. Don't know what they are made of, but I hung onto them years for memories.

zaphod · January 25

I found the old ones. The box is 4" x 6" so the pieces are 1" x 2" x 1/2".

Anyone have any idea how to test them for fluid/petroleum/... I remember burning one with Grandpa, we lit it, tossed it out in the rain and it just did not go out. Always wondered what was in them.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/l9/6tgvt7ddi1zi.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/7k/2gbt1egidwzx.jpeg

MaskedMarvel · January 25

My box of fireplace starters says you can start your grill with them!

—- paraffin wax.

johnmitchell · January 25

@zaphod I would have loved to have been in the marketing meeting when they came up with that name 😉😂

zaphod · January 25

yeah, there's a story there ... Beaver Lumber was a cross Canada chain of home building supply stores. At time the largest in Canada. Wikipedia says it was bought out in 2000.

But still ... I understand what you're saying

DoubleEgger · January 25

Break those fire starters in half and save yourself a few Canadian dollars.

new speedi-sticks

Comments

Categories