I have skipped past all the comments because I pretty much know what people are going to say. So... I thought I would spend a few paragraphs explaining what a simple sentence would.
I sat down one day and listened to a guy talk about how he was a master at BBQ and how one should never ever use lighter fluid. I waited silently as he went on and on and knew there would be the claim that he could detect the use of lighter fluid in a morsel of bbq. In my BBQ old age I am getting more and more winded at explaining things to people like this and often exit the conversation without ever revealing my credentials on the subject.
But then Boshizzle I think said something funny in another post about using two half filled charcoal chimneys instead of one completely filled one. I laughed then hit this thread.
As we have discussed barbecue idiosyncrasies here many times the rule is.... perhaps it might. Perhaps dry wood can produce better results than wet wood (soaking) perhaps bark affects taste negatively, perhaps foiling is detrimental or cheating, perhaps low and slow is best, perhaps hot and fast will ruin cue, and now, perhaps lighter fluid should not be used.
It really depends what idiot is using it and what type of equipment the idiot is using and lastly, what the idiot does once he lights it.
For instance, I can take a bag of presoaked charcoal, use green wood and if I am not an idiot, you will never know. How? In my Brazos Pit, while keeping every door open, I will light the bag in my 4 foot by 4 foot firebox I will start the fire, then place 40 pounds of regualr charcoal on that and several bark on sticks to build a roaring fire. At a good time, I shut the pit up and bring it to 375... then when I see fit... put 700 pounds of meat on. (the meat naturally settles my pit down to 275.
Now the guy that tosses that bag on his Spicewine... ?????????
As everyone knows or used to know I use an on board gas assist (on my Meat Mama 3000) or butcher paper AND old fryer grease (on my Brazos) most of the time to wick my start up fire. But have I used lighter fluid to start my Weber? yep! So the hell what... I just refuse to put the lid on until I know its gone...
We all saw Myron use lighter fluid, cook with green wood at 350 or so (breaking three old rules simultaneously) to basically make this same kind of commentary. Perhaps it may make a difference.
Here is where it will make a differnece. If you use too much fluid for your pit and the pit is too unforgiving (small) and close up too soon before its gone... hell yes... you are an idiot and should not be using it.
