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Mapp or 91% alchohol?

Arickx81
Arickx81 Posts: 37
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
So, I know that the starters are not for me. I like to light my fire more evenly then in 1 or two places. I've never seen a mapp torch light demo, but I have seen the rubbing alchohol videos. The rubbing alchohol looks like it works very well. Is there any advantage to mapp vs. the alchohol method? I'm aware of the dangers of both, but I'm thinking I can save a buncho greenbacks with the alchohol.
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Comments

  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    After the initial investment of MAPP, I wouldn't be surprised if MAPP is less expensive. I have had a bottle of MAPP last about or just over a year before having to replace. The last one I bought was $8. Now that is not counting the spark holes in shirts.

    91% Alcohol for 1 year of lighting costs more than $8. At my altitude I have to use 2 oz on each side of center or it takes forever to get the egg going. After the burndown, sometimes I have to coax the lump with a fan. Alcohol is quick to use and clean. I will go though 1/2 gallon maybe more of alcohol in a month on my large egg alone.

    Oil and paper towel is probably the least expensive and will light as fast as alcohol and MAPP.

    If you want something fast and inexpensive use a weed burner and a propane bottle. A large can be going at 400° cooking temperature in less than 1 minute - maximum 2 minutes.

    I will mostly use oil & paper towel or alcohol at this point in time. Oil & PT will light faster than alcohol.

    When the outside temperature is below freezing I will use the weed burner - the cook doesn't like being out in the cold for very long.

    GG
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  • DrZaius
    DrZaius Posts: 1,481
    I use a chimney and 3 pieces of newspaper. Lights easy plus we recycle and the paper is always around without having to go shopping at any time for something. ;)
    This is the greatest signature EVAR!
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  • BobS
    BobS Posts: 2,485
    I prefer MAPP or Propane to other methods, but the objective is to start a fire, so I do not think that there is a best method for everyone.

    What struck me was your comment about "I like to light my fire more evenly then in 1 or two places."

    The BGE is not your old charcoal grill! If you are burning evenly all across the lump you have a HOT, HOT fire. It just does not take much fire to cook most things in the
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  • Semolina Pilchard
    Semolina Pilchard Posts: 768
    A bottle of Mapp gas lasts an extremely long time. In the long run it will be cheaper. That is what I have been using for quite a while, but lately I have been using the oil/paper towel method and it works very well, you might want to give that a tumble.
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  • DryFly
    DryFly Posts: 351
    A bed of balled up newspaper (5 or 6 sheets for a large) on the grate, with lump on top. Can be ignited through the lower air vent with one of those long propane igniters with the trigger. Gives you an even bed of red coals under the lump . Can't get no cheaper. DrZaius idea works great as well.

    The BGE starter cubes always worked well also.
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  • mojo
    mojo Posts: 220
    Grandpas Grub wrote:
    A large can be going at 400° cooking temperature in less than 1 minute - maximum 2 minutes.
    Wow, really? To achieve this do you light deep down into the lump and in several locations? I have a large and tend to light in 2 places, but it takes me about 15 minutes to get up to 400*.
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    I just hold the weed burner about 8" above the lump surface and move it around the lump surface. There is so much heat/flame the lump will shallow in 10 to 15 seconds. 1 to 2 minutes of direct weed burner is a lot of heat.

    GG
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    I like the chimney starter however, it takes the time to light the chimney the the dump and the time to light the lump. I seems to be easier to light the lump and save a step and the extra time.

    Using newspaper in the fire box or under the firebox just leaves much large ash.

    Nevertheless, there are a lot of ways to light the egg. I guess it is whatever floats ones boat.

    GG
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  • FSUScotsman
    FSUScotsman Posts: 754
    I've used the solid starters. They work but aren't cheap.

    I've used MAPP. To me this was the most expensive but most handy. Just pick up the torch, hit the igniter and away you go. My torch didn't even last the one season that I used it. The igniter died and then the flame nozzle wouldn't stay focused. I wasn't going to buy another torch!!

    I'm now using 91% alcohol and I'm not going back. I've not found a source other than Walmart or a drug store but, BY GOLLY, it lights each and every time without any hassle. I put two ounces right in the middle of my large and I'm cooking in 15 minutes. I wish I could find gallon bottles of the stuff!!! I did pork chops two nights ago and had 700 degrees in 15-18 minutes!!!
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