Lighter fluid versus cubes, torches chimney etc

[Fwismoker]

Cubes are awesome, 99% of the time though it's 30 -40 seconds with my little harbor freight torch

 

[smoke ninja]

Yep torch its is. I see no other way at this point. Its fast, saves charcoal and lets me play with a torch for crying out loud.

 

[Ron_L]

Exactly.. I really don't think fluid affects taste either. I wonder about folks that say they can taste it in the food, but that's just me.:tongue:

Judge a couple of amateur or backyard competitions and you'll taste it. At the last one we opened one rib box and the folks 4 tables over could smell the lighter fluid.

Maybe it burns off with enough time or temperature, but I'm not willing to take a chance with it, and not just because I may be able to taste it. I also wonder if there is any hazardous residue left.

 

[NFLNative]

Any time my 8 year old smells LF burning in the neighborhood, he looks at me and says "must be an amateur"

 

[16Adams]

Propane methane butane parrafin cubes (all have MsdS sheets) who knows what chemicals are in newspapers or paper towels and what happens when those chemicals combust. bbad beer and an ugly kid. Life is full of hazards. All fires are different at blue flame and/or yellow flame. What about propane grills? (I don't have one of those anymore). I seldom use lighter fluid, but when I do I don't worry about it. It's hazards are known.

Google newspaper ink chemicals. Soy bean oil and Carbon Black (petro product).
How someone starts their fire is interesting. However, just because you don't or didn't squirt lighter fluid does not mean you didn't use a petro product, a funny chemical that was not meant to burn near food etc.

Peace and out. It's been fun, all observations appreciated

 

[bam]

Weed burner 1st choice cubes and chimney 2nd choice.

 

[Brew-Bq]

"I use lighter fluid to start my fire because thats what its for!" Myron Mixon

I use a charcoal chimney w matte finish newspaper, I dont trust that flashy full color stuff. Then again Im lighting a PBC, WSM, or a Kettle. If I had to fire up a big offset I may bust out a torch. Course I do use a little propane torch to light my Amazen pellet smoker for cold smoking. Now Im confused.

 

[zubby01]

I'm new to Que'in and I started off w/ a chimney and rolled up newspaper underneath. It was hard to find newspaper at times and I couldn't always get it to stay lit. Was watchin' a YouTube video and had never heard of the cubes. Started using them and they are pretty inexpensive and have always worked so far.

Daughter's BF uses gasoline. When I found out...well let's just say I told him it was not a good idea.

 

[Rusty Kettle]

Judge a couple of amateur or backyard competitions and you'll taste it. At the last one we opened one rib box and the folks 4 tables over could smell the lighter fluid.

Maybe it burns off with enough time or temperature, but I'm not willing to take a chance with it, and not just because I may be able to taste it. I also wonder if there is any hazardous residue left.

It's pointless to use lighter fluid. I know what you mean though about tasting it. If you don't let it burn off for a good half hour it will be there and you will taste it. Myron Mixon pointed out if you taste it you did not read the directions and follow them. When I started cooking bbq I used it but followed the directions. I never had an issue. I then went to a charcoal chimney that I made out of a can that I still have and it still works. I then bought an electric starter. The coil just heats up so hot the charcoal just lights. It is fast and reusable and only cost $10. You don't have to worry about chemicals from the residue from lighter fluid or newspaper or lighter cubes. Electric starters are the way to go. Not much of a show but no extra cost other than electric which is cheap.

 

[cowgirl]

Thank Ya'll

Pure torture. You're killin' me Adams!

 

[pjtexas1]

I have tried them all.
LF - never again, can't stand the smell

newspaper - haven't got one in years so can't use it. Never cared to chase hot paper around.

Electric - cord is too short but it does work well

Cubes - works well in chimneys and cookers. Smell doesn't bother me.

Propane torch - less than a minute and it's started. My favorite choice.

 

[bikerm40]

Cheap Harbor Freight heat gun, $8.00 and lights the end of the snake method just great

 

[Yeasty]

LOOFTLIGHTER is the way of the Jedi.

 

[Hankdad1]

Weber performer = built in propane lighter w/chimney, done. Akorn = cotton ball soaked in 91 percent rubbing alcohol. Cheap, easy, effective, and I can renew my supplies anytime I go to the grocery store.

Sometimes I do miss the days of complete ignorance when I would soak a large pile of briquettes thoroughly with lighter fluid and have that lovely huge flame warming up the winter night while waiting for the fumes to burn off.

 

[BrotherInArms]

It's either cubes or newspaper for me with my chimney. Lighter fluid just sucks

 

[retired trucker]

Thank Ya'll

Your welcome, and hope you are enjoying my private stock! :clap2:
I am one who uses a paper towel soaked in canola oil to start my chimney with. May try using a cotton ball soaked in the oil as a test. Have never used the "cubes", but am not against using them, other than the cost factor. The cotton balls soaked in oil sounds like the cheapest form if they work. Don't have to buy anything that way as we always have both on hand. Bottom line is to get the briq's or lump started burning, whether you use lighter fluid, cubes, cooking oil, or wait for lightning to strike the chimney, just get er done!

O' mar
​

 

[tish]

Tried cubes, but they weren't for me. Mostly, I use paper towels spritzed with cooking oil in the bottom of the chimney, but sometimes I hit it with the weed burner. Those both work well for me.

 

[Haastyle]

I'm surprised at the waste of money people will throw at this.

Here it is. Chimney with paper or chunk of cardboard. EVERYONE has trash mail they get everyday. Rip it up a bit. You really don't need much. If you are in high wind, a couple drops of oil on the paper or a quick spray of PAM will make the fire burn hotter and longer. I have had the same can of PAM my wife bought about 5 years ago for some dumb reason, and that is the only thing it gets used for. Works like a charm.

Now for competitions, we use the weed torch to light the coals and wood just because all those BTU's off the torch heat up the chamber as well. And it is a big chamber. Cuts down pit temp timing to a 1/3. Not that you need it because you have so much time, but why waste the time?

 

[insaneh]

BGE = no lighter fluid. I use a small folded up piece of paper towel drizzled with olive oil.
When I use my weber kettle it's a piece of paper and a chimney.

 

[Gnarlbecue]

Chimney with 3 pieces of the local free newspaper and a thin line of whatever cheap cooking oil is on hand. Roll the paper up into a donut leaving the edge of the paper exposed. Light it, done.