Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: ryno5000 on June 14, 2017, 03:34:51 PM
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Does anyone here use charcoal fluid? I use a chimney starter but still give it a shot of fluid if I'm in a hurry or if its a little rainy/snowing. I never taste fluid on my food. Recently I made a comment on the Weber fb page about using fluid and people kind of jumped on me..lol...I taught myself how to grill through much trial and error so my way may not be the best way. What is the consensus here? I really want to make sure I'm using the best method.
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The best method Is the one which works for you. I personally don't use it but I've been to cookouts where it was used. I noticed the difference but I don't think they let the coals ash over and the fluid burn off.
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I do not use it either , but then again when I grill I'm NEVER in a hurry !!!!! But yea man whatever works best for you. Chimneys do take time but it's worth the wait!
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Chimney and starter cubes are the way to go. Lighter fluid. Is like riding a bicycle with training wheels!! IMHO
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Fluid is fine as long as it is used properly.
There are certainly BETTER ways to light your charcoal ... but we chose our techniques and tactics based on personal preference, not herd mentality and cult snobbery.
I personally use chimneys and starter cubes, as it's the most time AND cost effective.
I keep a bottle of fluid around for fun, though. The smells of it burning brings back feelings of nostalgia, and that makes me smile.
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Does anyone here use charcoal fluid? I use a chimney starter but still give it a shot of fluid if I'm in a hurry or if its a little rainy/snowing. I never taste fluid on my food. Recently I made a comment on the Weber fb page about using fluid and people kind of jumped on me..lol...I taught myself how to grill through much trial and error so my way may not be the best way. What is the consensus here? I really want to make sure I'm using the best method.
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Hahah that was totally me that asked you what the deal was!! I didn't mean any harm, I was just curious as that is my nature of asking questions. Too funny though :)
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Haven't used fluid for many many years. I like the electric element starter but have used the chimney on occasion (when power was out) Have eaten food off of a fluid started fire recently at a work function and the smell brought back memories but like previous poster said I don't think they let it burn off long enough. It may not have been so noticeable on beef or pork but I swear I could taste it on that chicken...
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Does anyone here use charcoal fluid? I use a chimney starter but still give it a shot of fluid if I'm in a hurry or if its a little rainy/snowing. I never taste fluid on my food. Recently I made a comment on the Weber fb page about using fluid and people kind of jumped on me..lol...I taught myself how to grill through much trial and error so my way may not be the best way. What is the consensus here? I really want to make sure I'm using the best method.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Hahah that was totally me that asked you what the deal was!! I didn't mean any harm, I was just curious as that is my nature of asking questions. Too funny though :)
Small world..lol..but you got me thinking. My last cook I made burgers and didn't use fluid. It did seem like it took about twice as long. I appreciate you asking me...How do you learn if nobody ever challenges you to think?
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Fluid is fine as long as it is used properly.
There are certainly BETTER ways to light your charcoal ... but we chose our techniques and tactics based on personal preference, not herd mentality and cult snobbery.
I personally use chimneys and starter cubes, as it's the most time AND cost effective.
I keep a bottle of fluid around for fun, though. The smells of it burning brings back feelings of nostalgia, and that makes me smile.
The smell does take me back to being a kid! I never thought of that but it's true.
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I like using a chimney over the side burner of my Genesis gasser, it gets them going pretty quickly.
Another trick that I tried when I was bored was to start the chimney with a cube and after a minute use a leaf blower (electric) to get the oxygen to the fire. That really got the coals going quickly and fully ashes within 3 or 4 mins. But only did it once for shits and giggles.
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What Troy said. I quit using lighter fluid because I'm a cheap skate. If I'm in a hurry, I use my garage weber and get it going promptly with the aid of the air compressor. I find that more fun.
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another possible method is put newspaper under your chimney. squirt some lighter fluid on the paper and pour charcoal into the chimney afterward and light
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I just use my Harbor Fright torch for 2 to 3 minutes.... Done
Works every time, even the center of the pile.
(http://i1330.photobucket.com/albums/w565/einrej/01-26-16%20Chicken%20on%20the%20grill/DSCN6055sml_zpsvxnmqurg.jpg) (http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/einrej/media/01-26-16%20Chicken%20on%20the%20grill/DSCN6055sml_zpsvxnmqurg.jpg.html)
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I don't use fluid because I don't like the taste it can leave if you don't completely burn it off but my other reason is better. I've been bbqing with my daughters since they were pretty small and I don't use fluid because I am concerned about the flammability. It's generally stored near the grill -logical, that's where you're using it!- and the whooshing flame it generally gives it pretty impressive. But used improperly or by "curious young hands" it is quite dangerous and frankly, my personal anxiety level couldn't handle worrying about my kids getting into it and hurting themselves.
I have damn near burned myself with it and I'm a grown ass woman who knows what she is doing. I didn't want my kids getting hurt too. I'm a worry wart. Not buying and using it was an easy decision for me.
Not saying it's bad! Just bad for me and honestly, I've never seen anyone set themselves in fire with a lighter cube.
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I never use fluid. When I'm at home, I use my weed burner. When I'm traveling, I use a Sterno can under my chimney.
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I often use a paper towel and cooking oil to oil the grate, then use that oily paper towel under the chimney. It's recycling on a small scale.
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I use a chimney too. I started with using paper then migrated to a paraffin based starter called QuickFire. One pak does the chimney and it is raging in 10-15 minutes. No smoke from the lighter, just from the coals themselves. Wish there were smokeless coals
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I use the Weber cubes and chimney. One cube works fine for me. The last Weber I bought the guy gave me a bag of Kingsford MatchLight and 2 half full bottles of lighter fluid. No idea what I'll do either..haha
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I use a chimney too. I started with using paper then migrated to a paraffin based starter called QuickFire. One pak does the chimney and it is raging in 10-15 minutes. No smoke from the lighter, just from the coals themselves. Wish there were smokeless coals
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YES
Everytime I light a chimney full of kingsford, the plume of white butt-smoke that fills the 'hood makes me wish the same thing.
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Don't be hating kingsford smoke. It's been filling the air in backyards for generations [emoji3]
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Don't be hating kingsford smoke. It's been filling the air in backyards for generations [emoji3]
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It would be great to decrease the more intense smoke during the lighting process. That is just an annoyance and serves no real purpose, especially in a tiny townhouse property. It drifts into my house unless I shut my patio door, and it concerns me that my neighbors have that same problem every time I light my grill but have not mentioned it to me yet.
Lately, I have been making breakfast as well as dinner on my kettle. The food tastes great, but the smoke issue I could do without, part of why I stopped using paper in my chimney and went to QuickFire. That instantly makes a very hot flame to quickly light the coals in the least amount of time
Then you can choose and control the smoke with chips of your choice. That part is fine.....
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Don't be hating kingsford smoke. It's been filling the air in backyards for generations [emoji3]
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It would be great to decrease the more intense smoke during the lighting process. That is just an annoyance and serves no real purpose, especially in a tiny townhouse property. It drifts into my house unless I shut my patio door, and it concerns me that my neighbors have that same problem every time I light my grill but have not mentioned it to me yet.
Lately, I have been making breakfast as well as dinner on my kettle. The food tastes great, but the smoke issue I could do without, part of why I stopped using paper in my chimney and went to QuickFire. That instantly makes a very hot flame to quickly light the coals in the least amount of time
Then you can choose and control the smoke with chips of your choice. That part is fine.....
I can see your point for a townhouse or apartment. I know this is going to sound corny though but I love seeing and smelling the smoke. It connects you to people from the beginning of time that cooked outdoors over a fire. Even the Bible has a story of Jesus cooking fish on hot coals to feed the disciples. I can imagine him getting the coals hot on the beach and seeing the smoke raise up to the sky. Then like a true friend you treat the cold, tired and hungry fisherman to a hot meal next to a warm fire.
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I would have no problem using lighter fluid if I had to. I just haven't had to in a long time, I do keep a bottle around for camping and tailgating just in case.
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Lighter fluid? What is that? Chimney starter and light cubes. Lighter fluid taste can get into your food.
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I use charcoal lighter a lot. Its just kerosene, right? Sometimes I just use the Performer. I almost always use a chimney. I will only use paper if that is all I have. I don't like the blowing ashes and I definitely won't start with paper over the kettle. Paper starts are smokey. Most times I will put briquettes in the chimney and coat with starter trying not to use so much as to cause it to drip out the bottom and fire it off right away. Flames consume most of the smoke at least for the initial start. First coals to start are the ones on top. When the starter fire dies out I can fire it with the Performer. It starts bottom coals first. The fuller the chimney the more smokey the start. You could start multiple half chimneys if you were where smoke was a concern, but only the first could use the Performer for gas assist if you were cooking on it. Only smell I like is select hardwood chunks smoldering. If you use lighter add it away from the pit or make darn sure you burn it off. Worst thing you can do is drip it into the bottom of the pit and have it soak into ashes only to bake out as you are cooking your food. But I am preaching to the choir on that. That's probably why the cubes are so popular. Never have tried them. I probably should get some.They don't drip wax, do they?
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I use a chimney with hand held propane welding torch. Just cut one of the tabs on the bottom of the chimney with tin snips for the nozzle to fit through. The briquettes start in 1 minute and no paper ashes to deal with. Much faster than the gas assist that is on a Performer. Guess it is because of the intensity of the welding flame.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/05/18/DSC03636.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/05/18/DSC03630.md.jpg)
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I use a chimney with hand held propane welding torch.
Is that a propane only torch(no oxygen)?
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After I learned about the starter cubes that's all I use. Quick and easy with no ash.
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I use a chimney with hand held propane welding torch.
Is that a propane only torch(no oxygen)?
Got it free with a CL kettle purchase. They attach to the small disposable propane tanks. I had amassed quite a collection of those propane tanks from sellers throwing them in selling their performers. That is what prompted me to try this method. Finding a use for free stuff I have gathered.
It is like this one on Amazon. There are much less expensive ones that will work though.
https://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-TS4000-Trigger-Start-Torch/dp/B00008ZA09/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1497626426&sr=8-11&keywords=propane+hand+torch
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/06/16/31S9cUaQM6L.jpg)