Starting the charcoal fire

[Sramsey]

I picked up a pack of those Weber fire starters and I like them a lot since I wanted get away from using lighter fluid. Do you have any tricks of the trade to light charcoal other the lighter fluid and newspaper under a chimney? The thing I hate about the newspaper is the fire doesn't last and when you lift the chimney all the paper is flying all of the place.

What are you all using?

[Sramsey]

Just thought about this, buying match light, and using 1 or 2 pieces to get the fire going?

[jimmy_dong]

Gas assist Performer is awesome.

[1buckie]

Just thought about this, buying match light, and using 1 or 2 pieces to get the fire going?

I've seen folks do that....usually it comes from getting matchlite along with a kettle pickup......couple pieces won't hurt, I just don't like the smell of it burning very much...............

[salad]

Gas assist Performer is awesome.

This! I fired up a chimney with the gas assist today while by bro-in-law looked on and gave me the nod of approval.  He converted to gas a long time ago but I think I have him thinking about charcoal again. 
A more practical solution is burning a brown paper bag (burns longer than newspaper) or a paper towel w/ a little oil on it.  Cube are good and you could probably get away w/ using a 1/2 cube especially if using lump.  Lump in a chimney fires up quick. 

[LightningBoldtz]

why don't you use a weber cube under the chimney?

[addicted-to-smoke]

I still have a partially-used bag of MatchLight bought last year in desperation when my Performer's Touch 'N Go system wasn't yet operational. I placed a few pieces on the charcoal grate and lit them as if they were Weber wax cubes BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND MY PACKAGE OF WEBER CUBES AND I WAS NOT GONNA BUY MORE, KNOWING THEY WERE SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE. (Have I mentioned I'm stubborn?)

I picked up a pack of those Weber fire starters ... Do you have any tricks of the trade to light charcoal other the lighter fluid ...

LightningBoldtz asks the pertinent question: You already know about the Weber paraffin cubes, are you looking for something else/better/different?

It's been suggested that the cubes can be cut in half and still work just as good, so there's a possible efficiency savings.

You mentioned MatchLight, which, long term, a bag is cheaper than the Weber cubes, yes. But they don't produce as big a flame and take longer to get the chimney going. "You get what you pay for."

Try a bag of lump charcoal. The price may turn you off but a few pieces of lump in the bottom of the chimney will get it going even faster, even if you decide not to cook with it.

[jimmy_dong]

if you want a real treat and a possible visit from the local fire dept.

spark up a chimney full of matchlight.

I think it would be visible from space.

[addicted-to-smoke]

if you want a real treat and a possible visit from the local fire dept.

spark up a chimney full of matchlight.

I think it would be visible from space.

Speaking of sparks, I lit a chimney of Frontier lump the other day and the sound is what got my attention. I need more mats on the deck if I'm to use my 6 bags of that stuff this summer.

[1buckie]

Too much spark, do this.....




Windy at all, set a small rock on top of the pan......

[Sramsey]

LightningBoldtz asks the pertinent question: You already know about the Weber paraffin cubes, are you looking for something else/better/different?
It's been suggested that the cubes can be cut in half and still work just as good, so there's a possible efficiency.

I was curious to find out what you veterans are doing or tricks of the trade. I'm new to the charcoal game and only have a few grillin sessions on my kettle. Still learning how to drive this thing and seemed I used more of those cubes the last time. I do have some lump coal and used a few pieces.

[1buckie]

Mark from Canada uses this:

I used to use the newspaper method. Now I use my weed burner. Works great!



cbpeck beat me to it by mere seconds. 

From this thread:

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/chimney-lighting/msg96819/?topicseen#msg96819


Here's another piece from him that shows the unit:

The technical term for a weed burner is "propane torch".
They come in various sizes, and features. This one is the basic.
Have a look at a local hardware store or even an auto parts store.
They might know where to get one if not there.
I even use it to lite charcoal. Works fantastic for that! 




I also have this one for actually fighting weeds.
It has a longer wand, so I don't have to bend over ... a little easier on the back. 

[GeoBarnes]

We have Weber charcoal chimney starter as it is quicker, easier and safe option. IT would take hardly 30 minutes an now the charcoal are ready to use.

[93_confirmed]

I rip off one chunk of an empty egg carton (part that holds egg), stuff it with a paper towel, dose in a little veggie oil and light. I  stick that under the chimney that has a brown lunch bag stuffed in the bottom.

This works perfectly for me every time.

[One Touch Platinum]

I must be doing something wrong.........I just use.....newspaper! Works for me everytime. I will use the pages from a phone book too if I don't have any newspaper...I just avoid the glossy ad portions of the paper.