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Whats best to start the charcoal ??

Ex-Gasman
Ex-Gasman Posts: 287
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
What does most people here use to start the fire. I've tried newspaper which I don't perfer,too much ash. I thought about Fatwood but will that leave a smell. Maybe electric, but don't know about forking out $30 and also how fast do they cool down. Any help..thanks
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Comments

  • Beanie-Bean
    Beanie-Bean Posts: 3,092
    hey gasman,

    I use a MAPP gas torch to get things going. Really good stuff, but you've got to be careful with some of the lump sparking or flying apart while lighting. I'm using a Bernzomatic TS 8000 torch head, and just recently picked up a new 8250 torch with a 5' hose and a belt pack to hold the gas bottle.
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  • "Sparky"
    "Sparky" Posts: 6,024
    Hey,for someone that calls themself gasman,why not use a torch/weedburer :woohoo:

    004-28.jpg
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  • Semolina Pilchard
    Semolina Pilchard Posts: 768
    I use a Mapp torch, but lately I have used the paper towel/cooking oil method, and it works well. An electric starter at Lowe's or Walmart costs about $10. They work well, you don't need the ones specially made for the egg. When done though, until they cool down you have a branding iron to contend with.
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  • "Sparky"
    "Sparky" Posts: 6,024
    BTW:Whichever way you choose to light the egg,always keep at least one of these around :)

    006-21.jpg
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  • maXim
    maXim Posts: 468
    I first started using the fire starters that my dealer sold me. Thought it was pretty expensive just to start my charcoal. I'm all out and I decided to use the paper towel method with cooking oil and I must admit it works really well. Actually better than the fire starters and a lot quicker.
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  • maXim
    maXim Posts: 468
    DOH! :pinch:
    I really have to start looking where I'm replying!!! :blink:
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  • Kokeman
    Kokeman Posts: 822
    I use a home made version of the BBQ Guru's golf club torch. works good. I use propane instead of Mapp.(propane is cheaper)
    G_800-4000-000.jpg
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  • otisdog
    otisdog Posts: 187
    I'm a stone newbie with a total of six cooks under my belt but this is working for me. Started first fire with torch and worked fine. Then I did the paper towel olive oil deal. I've used that for 5 cooks now and it works fine. I'me down to 1/2 sheet paper towel with a little olive oil. It seems to have a little initial smoke, but so far lights easily each time.
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  • Egghead-Sooner
    Egghead-Sooner Posts: 134
    You use olive oil to dampen your paper towels? SOunds a bit expensive to me, why not use vegetable or canola oil its a lot cheaper to get a big bottle that will last through rolls of paper towels
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  • oldfishinglure
    oldfishinglure Posts: 235
    Ive used Newspapers all of my egging life, tough to teach an old dog new trick, been doing it for 12 years.
    Habbit??? Tradition??? laziness??? Recycling?? Not sure which is the right answer.
    A good friend of mine who I got egged(who now owns 4 Ceramics to my my 2) just turned me on to isopropyl alcohol. Used it a few times and it works good, I normally forget about it and just use newspapers.

    Matt
    www.finandflame.com

    www.oldfishinglure.com
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  • Jeffersonian
    Jeffersonian Posts: 4,244
    Yikes, I agree! I used electric for years, but when my last one burned out I tried the paper towel and cooking oil method and haven't looked back. It's messier than the electric starter, but more reliable...I went out more than once and found my GFCI had popped and I was suddenly 8 minutes behind schedule for it.
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  • skihorn
    skihorn Posts: 600
    I use the fire starters from my Dealer. However, when out I have used the paper towel method. Took about half a towel and lightly doused (don't super saturate it) it in vegetable oil. You could use the other half if you like to light in two places. Must admit it started the fire faster than the fire starter. However, I am not usually in that big of a hurry and the fire starters are easy to keep on a shelf right near the Egg. I think I figured they cost about a nickel a piece but maybe I am misremembering. They aren't too expensive that much I remember.

    Freddie
    League City, TX
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,709
    maXim, don't be so hard on yourself, it happens to practically everyone occasionally.
    -Gary
    canuckland
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,709
    Yup EVOO is expensive. My second choice is vegetable oil. First choice? USED vegetable oil :woohoo:
    -Gary
    canuckland
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  • FSUScotsman
    FSUScotsman Posts: 754
    For the first time last night I used the 91% alcohol. A couple of ounces in two places, wait two minutes, and toss a match!!! POOF!!! Off it burns with a blue glow. It was the easiest starting cook I've ever had. I've tried MAPP, starter sticks and the paper towel methods and I'm never going back to any of those!!!!
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