Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

99% Alcohol

BackYardGreen
BackYardGreen Posts: 18
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Planning to try the rubbing (isopropanol) alcohol fire starting method I dropped by my local Walmart. They didn't have 90% but did have 70% and 99%. Anyone see any danger in using the 99%? Sounds 9% better than 90% to me.

This is up in Canada so maybe we have different standards or maybe we need 99% is needed to keep it from freezing in winter.

Rob
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Village Idiot
    Village Idiot Posts: 6,959
    That'll work just fine. Be sure to use a long handled match because you're sure to get a *poof* of flame coming up when it starts.
    __________________________________________

    Dripping Springs, Texas.
    Just west of Austintatious


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Yes and dont get any on the gasket.

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You should be careful because the 99% alcohol is extremely volatile. If you are a health nut (which I assume you are not because you are cooking BBQ) 99% alcohol has a small amount of Benzene in it which is a known carcinogen.

    All in all, I'd be more concerned with it exploding in your face due to the high volatility. Any way you look at it though, it will likely be fun.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
     
    Isopropyl Alcohol is available between 90% and 99%.

    I use 99% because that is what is easily available to me.

    If you dump the alcohol and light you will get the 'poof'. If you wait 15 to 20 seconds the alcohol will seep into the lump (along with some evaporation) and the 'poof' much smaller and at times none at all.

    I use 2oz (80cc) each in two apx 8" circles left and right of center. I am at 5,000' elevation and using only 80cc in one area makes for a long start up of the lump.

    I hope it would be obvious to be safe such as closing the container and moving it away from the egg when lighting. Also, I do strike and toss a wooden match in the egg.

    I do find I get a better light if I close the some not too long after lighting 10 to 20 seconds.

    GG
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
    Reading this thread, and imagining firing up almost pure alcohol, and then thinking of my fave, the MAPP torch, I realize I've missed some real fun. Think I'll toss in some magnesium shavings, and see how lump will ignite with a MAPP blast and magnesium. Will report another day.
    :evil:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Capt Frank
    Capt Frank Posts: 2,578
    And maybe from another planet! :P :woohoo:

    Capt Frank
    Homosassa, FL
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    Let your wife know I get your egg/s if the magnesium has a beautiful ending. :woohoo:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sundazes
    Sundazes Posts: 307
    2Fategghead wrote:
    Let your wife know I get your egg/s if the magnesium has a beautiful ending. :woohoo:

    You mean whats left of the eggs......
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2Fategghead
    2Fategghead Posts: 9,624
    :woohoo:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • The Naked Whiz
    The Naked Whiz Posts: 7,777
    Do you have any references for the benzene info? I did a quick search and couldn't find any MSDS's that said that any iosproply alcohol contained benzene. Thanks!
    The Naked Whiz
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sharhamm
    sharhamm Posts: 258
    I used 91%. in my Mini a week ago. 91%, 60 cc...it was way too much. That is what I usually use in my medium. Will never do that again. 30cc is enough. I cleaned it out a carefully looked for cracks after the bang, and fortunately I had none. MOre is not better.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • THA
    THA Posts: 198
    nah, the egg will be OK or wife simply gets warranty and then give egg to me
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mr. & Mrs Potatohead
    Mr. & Mrs Potatohead Posts: 2,037
    Holly ****!!!
    So, what this is saying is that my Everclear (used sparingly for medical purposes only :whistle: ) is a carcinogen!!??!!
    And here I thought alcohol was alcohol...Except for the de-naturing process.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mr. & Mrs Potatohead
    Mr. & Mrs Potatohead Posts: 2,037
    There is NO need for the MAPP!!!!
    With the alcohol....Just a simple match will do the trick!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    ive got some ziconium you could try out, when i was a kid i put it in a full bucket of water, dropped in a match, kaboom, 30 foot fire and steam burns were involved. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: would be good for starting wet lump
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ripnem
    Ripnem Posts: 5,511
    GG,

    I can just see you on a real windy day. :laugh: tossing those matches
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories