Do you use lighter fluid?

[bbqchicken]

I remember this infomercial years back. A grill that cooks with newspaper. I need to look this up.

 

[Lake Dogs]

Pitmaster T, self-declared Funkmaster South [Texas; south? I think NOT], pretty much hit it.

I dont use it to cook with. I do use it to light the nice pit fires in the back yard... A long time ago I'd use it with my Webers, but I'm never in that much of a rush any more... When I did, I knew how to use it and you wouldnt taste it whatsoever. With that said, I judged a comp last weekend; one of the entries had a distinct lighter-fluid taste, and it ended up very close to DAL. Was it because he used lighter fluid? I would argue the answer is NO, it was because he didnt know what he was doing.

 

[bbqchicken]

here it is

Qwik Cook Grill Chicago Summer infommercial - YouTube

I like the intro :heh:

 

[southernstyle]

chimney starter with a small propane torch for about 2 minutes will do

 

[southernstyle]

chimney starter with small propane torch takes about 2 minutes of torch time. works like a charm.

 

[ggeilman]

what is lighter fluid? I used to use it when I owned a Zippo years back.

 

[Crazy Harry]

BTW, newspaper ink is pretty safe these days. Since 1985, it has been only carbon black...non-toxic. So no one should even be able to tell you that newspapers will kill you. If they do, refer them to me. I'll fend 'em off. Use a chimney starter. Or a torch. Or anything that ISN'T lighter fluid.

colored newspaper ink is not ok, it is still banned from organic compost

 

[GEORGIA CRACKER(FROM TEX)]

I used to use it all the time, and never had any problems with left over smell. Then I read a hint on here about using cooking oil on a paper towel and have used that method since. About a good tablespoon on a paper towel wrapped in another paper towel, and lit under my chimney. Ola, fire in a juffy, ready to dump on the unlit coals or briqs ala minion method. Much quicker than using lighter fluid, and cheaper! YMMV

 

[BenCA]

I use a chimney and one of these

" Amazon.com: GAS ONE Portable Gas Stove UL and CAS List With Free Case: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WDqwAsV3L.@@AMEPARAM@@51WDqwAsV3L
"

 

[Terry The Toad]

If it's good enough for Myron Mixon, it's good enough for me.

Seriously, I've eaten pulled pork prepared by a guy who thinks using lighter fluid is a crime. He also seems to think cleaning his smoker is a crime too. I'll put my results up against his any time.

 

[bbqchicken]

I put chimney on side burner. I think Ill try the newspaper oil method to save on propane.

 

[Pyle's BBQ]

I use these:

Amazon.com: Coghlan's 7940 Fire Sticks, Package of 12: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41R3HIgkvbL.@@AMEPARAM@@41R3HIgkvbL

Half a stick in the coals and off she goes.

 

[frognot]

Using the weed burner is my preferred way to light lump charcoal in the BGE.

 

[fedex]

Works damn good for fire pits and beach bonfires.

 

[blues_n_cues]

I use it. I use it to light charcoal (just part of it) and that lights the rest of it in my chimney and that gets added to the basket for a minion method start. Any and all fumes or hazardous products in the fluid burn off long before the fluid-added charcoal gets anywhere near the rest of the unlit charcoal or the meat. It's quick and simple. No mess to clean up afterwards.

Someone ran a poll here a while back and I believe 98% or better are against using starter fluid. Whatever method you choose, it's all about what works for you.

same here.
IF i use it i'll squirt a dab on a few chunks & light it off(i use a bbq wok for a coal basket) on top of the smoker & hit it w/ a hair dryer or fan if it's not windy out-my wife says it looks like the olympic torch. when i have most of the coals going i'll add a couple chunks w/ 1/2 a unlit chimney & put it in the smoker. by the time the meat hits it the stuff is long since gone & i'm basically doing a wood cook by then.

i only do this for home cooking-never caterings or comps.

 

[Guamaque]

Whats the difference between lighter fluid and all you guys trying to avoid it by using propane. Seams to me they are both in the petroleum family.

 

[Steve W]

Lighter fluid leaves a nasty petrochemical smell and taste if the coals are not prepared right. Propane burns without a smell so it's practically foolproof if you want to skip the newspapers or fire starters. From what I've read, it lights the charcoal faster too if you have a good propane burner.

 

[Pitmaster T]

Lighter fluid leaves a nasty petrochemical smell and taste if the coals are not prepared right. Propane burns without a smell so it's practically foolproof if you want to skip the newspapers or fire starters. From what I've read, it lights the charcoal faster too if you have a good propane burner.

Come to my house one night when I am lazy. I have two pits. One has a gas assist that I leave on some nights... we will see then if you cannot taste the gas. I can taste bbq cooked in an electric pit (easiest), a pellet pit (not bad, very little evidence), a charcoal pit like a spice wine, and a gas pit... BUT... that's because I use all natural sticks. If lighter fluid is used sparingly and properly, you cannot taste it. Take that from a guy that doesn't use it. LOL

 

[DirtyDirty00]

What's lighter fluid?

 

[DirtyDirty00]

I put chimney on side burner. I think Ill try the newspaper oil method to save on propane.

U don't even need oil. I just crumble up some pieces of newspaper. Give it a good packing and light it up. Never had any problem. Charcoal is glowing in about 20 min