odorless lighter fluid?

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Most will say no lighter fluid. You can do some testing on your own to see if you like it.

You can use 91% alcohol.

GG

Mikey,

Welcome. You can do anything you want. The question is why would you? Lighter fluid won't hurt your Egg, but it will give off chemicals that can impart a taste to your food, and may be bad for you.

Lighting the Egg is really easy. There are a bunch of different methods people use. I generally use a MAPP gas torch for convenience. However, this weekend I traveled with my Egg and forgot my torch. To start it, I reverted back to the method I used when I first got it... tear off the side of the charcoal bag, crumple it into a fist-sized ball, and half bury it in the center of the lump. Light it in a couple of places with a match, and you're good.

My $.02.

-John

Like the others, I suggest NOT using any kind of lighter fluid.

I use an inexpensive electric coil starter ($9.95 at Lowes) for most cooks. For long, slow cooks, I want the lump to burn from the top down, so I use the napkin/paper towel technique described above - starting it in 3 different places to reduce the risk of a central burn.

Approximately how much 91% alcohol do you use prior to lighting? I was thinking of trying this technique but wonder if it's not more expensive than the oil/paper towel method (depending on the oil you use, I suppose) if you need to use a lot of alcohol. Do you spread it around the lump or concentrate it on one area to light and let the fire spread from there?

I'd been using MAPP for years (fast and surprisingly cheap since the bottle lasted forever) and stopped now that I have a curious toddler. Been using starter cubes but looking for something cheaper once the last box runs out.

I used starter cubes because I bought a boatload when BBQ Galores was going out of business. Since then I use two "select a size" paper towels rolled with the oldest oil in the pantry. I get a nice blaze going in about 5 minutes. (althought I get some fingers dirty and take about 30 seconds to create a little tunnel over the paper towels)

Starter cubes are easy but I don't like the odor and the left over binder material just smoldering in the cook. If I do use cubes I pull out the remainder of the cube(s) char after the lump is going.

Cubes are an easy way to light.

GG

I buy the fireplace starters that are about the size of a brick except only about an inch thick. They're pretty much made out of wood particles and parafin. I just break off small pieces and place how many and where I want them. They're cheap and I get no aftertaste.

i use a MAPP torch to light in 3 places, or I use the BGE electric coil starter (i suppose a lowes cheapie would work just as good) if my torch is being finnicky (i left it out in the thunderstorm the other day and it was cranky to light).

If either of those don't work i just douse a paper towel in some veggie oil.