Lighting a chimney on really windy days

[Joetee]

I use something similar to this. I've had it for years.

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Whoa that looks sweet! Does it connect directly to a propane tank?

Better plug your phone in soon my man haha


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Yes. 1 pound can

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[phillyc0wb0y]

I still use lighter cubes but I put a layer of charcoal in the chimney before lighting, drop it in, and then more coals on top to avoid it falling through the bottom.

[addicted-to-smoke]

I still use lighter cubes but I put a layer of charcoal in the chimney before lighting, drop it in, and then more coals on top to avoid it falling through the bottom.

I've never heard of anyone putting the lighter cubes into the chimney before. I wouldn't have thought the flame could get very big doing that, being sandwiched between layers of charcoal?

[addicted-to-smoke]

I just looked at the Sterno cans in the store. If each one lasts "2 1/2 hours" I can see how that would be cheaper than buying a box of Weber cubes, yeah?

[hawgheaven]

I just looked at the Sterno cans in the store. If each one lasts "2 1/2 hours" I can see how that would be cheaper than buying a box of Weber cubes, yeah?

Dunno, I've never used the cubes. Been using the Sterno method for years with no problems and cheap as hell, especially if you catch them on sale. Just buy a couple cans of it and try it to see if it works for you... if you like it, go get a flat of it! 

[addicted-to-smoke]

I was just thinking that a box of cubes retails for $4, or a street price of about $3.70 give or take. The box has 24 cubes and Weber recommends using two per chimney light.

I've tried to only use one. It usually works, but yeah, it's a crap ton slower to light, and could actually run out before catching the charcoal.

So I'm guessing the Sterno cans cost less over the life of their uses.

My question is about the flame and heat. Does the alcohol burn hotter than the petrol-based paraffin cube? The flame isn't as long, is it?

[HoosierKettle]

I like the sterno can idea but I think I would dislike it for the same reason I dislike gas assist. Which is I have to pay attention when to turn it off. Whereas lighter cubes, I light one, walk away, and I'm done. Prep food and come back to coals ready


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[HoosierKettle]

I dislike my gas assist enough that I might eliminate it or sell the performer. It's a real estate hog.


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[captjoe06]

I'm a huge fan of the lighter cubes and wooden matchsticks. In my first year of Charcoal grilling I spent a bunch of money on fancy lighters. Now I just buy a lot if the cubes when on sale place the cube down, cover with my hands and they usually light on the first go and if not the second even in wind. If I have some paper towels I'll stop up the fat in cast iron pans and add that under the chimney too

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[hawgheaven]

I like the sterno can idea but I think I would dislike it for the same reason I dislike gas assist. Which is I have to pay attention when to turn it off. Whereas lighter cubes, I light one, walk away, and I'm done. Prep food and come back to coals ready

I get the line of thinking with the ease of the "walk away" thing, Butt you should ALWAYS be monitoring your coals when lighting, no matter what method you're using. Never leave them unattended while lighting, especially when in a windy situation. Do you walk away from your grill while grilling your dinner? I'd guess not.

Bottom line, Sterno works for me... maybe not for others. Don't poo-poo it until you've tried it.

[HoosierKettle]

I like the sterno can idea but I think I would dislike it for the same reason I dislike gas assist. Which is I have to pay attention when to turn it off. Whereas lighter cubes, I light one, walk away, and I'm done. Prep food and come back to coals ready

I get the line of thinking with the ease of the "walk away" thing, Butt you should ALWAYS be monitoring your coals when lighting, no matter what method you're using. Never leave them unattended while lighting, especially when in a windy situation. Do you walk away from your grill while grilling your dinner? I'd guess not.

Bottom line, Sterno works for me... maybe not for others. Don't poo-poo it until you've tried it.

I'm not poo pooing it at all. I think it's a great idea. I haven't tried it but I believe you that it works, but I prefer the lighter cubes so I can light it and forget it. I do walk away after lighting without a second thought and have been doing that for as long as I can remember. I'm not in a particularly windy area though.  If I had to baby sit when the coals were lighting, that would be a huge hinderance to my routine.

Just personal preference, just like guys who love their gas assist. Nothing wrong with that either, just not my preference.


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[kettlebb]

I dislike my gas assist enough that I might eliminate it or sell the performer. It's a real estate hog.


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Why I sold mine off brother. IMO performers are a tad overrated. If you have a side table, patio table, or extra grill then you don't need the table on a performer.


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[HoosierKettle]

I dislike my gas assist enough that I might eliminate it or sell the performer. It's a real estate hog.


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Why I sold mine off brother. IMO performers are a tad overrated. If you have a side table, patio table, or extra grill then you don't need the table on a performer.


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For a normal non weber obsessed person that wants one grill, I'll bet a performer is the greatest. But if you have a bunch and want to rotate them in, a performer can get in the way lol


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[Chasing_smoke]

I use a couple of cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol.  It's cheap and gets the charcoal going perfectly in the wind. 


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[Schaefd2]

I use a couple of cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol.  It's cheap and gets the charcoal going perfectly in the wind. 


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Whoa! I would think those would burn up really quick!