Lighting of charcoal

[tekobo]

13 hours ago, Tyrus said:

All you need now is horse and jousting pole but don't drive by any Casinos with that betting habit

Ha ha.  I solved the problem of sparking char very simply.  I just stopped using the catering charcoal as my fire starter.  Part burned coco char briquettes from previous cooks work well as a starting point for a new fire and doesn't spark.  So, no ridiculous jousting attire here anymore @T.  

Having said that, for old times sake, I went over to Amazon to look at the welding apron that I had contemplated buying.  They now have this rather fetching BBQ apron with sleeves https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ailihan-anti-splash-fireproof-protective-dedicated/dp/B07LG8S418/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=fireproof+apron&qid=1561878840&s=gateway&sr=8-8.  Not on my Christmas present list.  

[Tyrus]

4 hours ago, tekobo said:

Ha ha.  I solved the problem of sparking char very simply.  I just stopped using the catering charcoal as my fire starter.  Part burned coco char briquettes from previous cooks work well as a starting point for a new fire and doesn't spark.  So, no ridiculous jousting attire here anymore @T.  

Having said that, for old times sake, I went over to Amazon to look at the welding apron that I had contemplated buying.  They now have this rather fetching BBQ apron with sleeves https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ailihan-anti-splash-fireproof-protective-dedicated/dp/B07LG8S418/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=fireproof+apron&qid=1561878840&s=gateway&sr=8-8.  Not on my Christmas present list.  

Ha Ha If you donned that the neighbors might think you were an executioner. Glad it's all under control

[subseaaggie]

I have started using the Tumble Weed (Amazon Tumble Weed Link).  It works like a charm... I leave the top of the KK open due to the sun it puts off.

[Pequod]

3 hours ago, subseaaggie said:

I have started using the Tumble Weed (Amazon Tumble Weed Link).  It works like a charm... I leave the top of the KK open due to the sun it puts off.

I’ve used these as well as Rutland starter squares. They work very well. 

[tony b]

I generally stick with the MAPP torch and air blower, but I've used something similar in the chimney in the past. 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C3KO7X0

[Tyrus]

Here's one that puts all the others to bed. I use one of these without kindling to start my stick burner and without any smalls . I also use this cut in thirds in my Harmon home pellet stove dropped into the firebox because it's better and quicker than than the electronic ignition. I used Rutland in the past but since I found these I find them quicker, longer burning and harder to extinguish. They do have a sealed in accelerant but it burns off quickly and doesn't impart any off flavor to your coals. Safe to use with charcoal as written on the box, might be worth a look

Edited October 22, 2019 by Tyrus

[DennisLinkletter]

Using my welding gloves, I grab a medium-size chunk of lump charcoal and smack it against the wall of the grill to break it into little tiny pieces. I carefully pile these in the middle of the grill on top of the charcoal. These can be lit using a lift lighter or the heat gun-type lighters a map torch or a wax starter.  Because the pieces are small they light almost instantly.  Now you want to hit the small burning pieces with a blower.. this could be a cheapo hair dryer or even a bellows. I personally use a Milwaukee shop blower. It's lithium powered and has a variable speed trigger and is about 30% the size of a standard leaf blower.  Great tool.  When the burning charcoal gets the increased airflow it glows madly and immediately lights all the charcoal below it, which immediately glows madly also and in 90 seconds you have a grapefruit volume raging and you are off to the races..

[cgl]

I use a simple method that I learned years back. 

1. I pile the charcoal in the basket and make a "bowl" in the middle of it with my hands. 
2. I then proceed to take two to three sheets of paper towel together and fold them until I make a cup.  The paper cup goes in the "bowl" of charcoal and I fill it with cooking oil; I use olive oil since it is all I cook with, but any cooking oil will work.  
3. I open the top (number of turns may differ) based on what I want to accomplish with the grill and then open the low vents all the way.
4. I proceed to light up the edges of the paper towel.  The oil burning in the cup helps to keep the fire going and lighting up the charcoal. 
5. In less than five minutes, I have a fire. 
6. I shut the lid and let the Big Bad 32 do the rest.
7. Make final adjustments to the top and the vents below.   

Once you get the hang of it, you can start getting creative with this method based on how much charcoal use.  You can add more "cups" in the pile or even pile the charcoal in different ways inside the basket to light up more or light up less.  In the beginning, it may take you a little longer to get the fire going, but the process is as simple as it can get.  

The only caveat here is that I live in Texas and I have relatively mild weather compare to the northern states so results may vary.   

Good luck!

  

 

 

[tony b]

Just curious - Do you get any "burnt oil" flavors in the food? What about creosote build up on the dome from the burning oil? Just trying to sort this technique out from using "charcoal lighter fluid," which NO ONE here would ever be caught doing! 

[cgl]

 I put barely enough olive oil to get the fire going and wait for the charcoal to burn clean before I add anything food to the grill.  With regards to any potential build up on the dome, I don't have it.   I clean my KK very regularly inside and out to keep it spotless; this practice is a habit for me. 

[mguerra]

I have used the MAPP torch, the Looftlighter, the electric loop thing, the various Rutland type cubes and wafers, a charcoal chimney with paper(huge mess, don't bother) and finally landed on the fastest, easiest, cheapest method. Weber cubes. For a low and slow just put one on the top of your charcoal pile and light it. For a hot fire, put one on top of your charcoal pile, light it, and put a chimney of charcoal over top of it. There's nothing faster, cheaper nor easier. Tumble Weed and its knockoffs work about the same but Weber cubes are far cheaper. $20 for 32 starters with Tumbleweed, $5 per 24 for Weber. After the fire is going a cheap blow dryer can get it raging, if you want.

Edited April 27, 2020 by mguerra

[tony b]

I normally use the MAPP torch followed up with FiAir blower for 99% of my cooks on the KK, but I have used these starter cubes in a chimney to light the heavy binto charcoal for the yakitori grill.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C3KO7X0

[mguerra]

Those Walden starters burn a LONG time, I have used them myself. But I cut them in half for the KK because they actually burn too long. What they shine at is starting a fire pit, fireplace or bonfire.

[LK BBQ]

Just wondering - would the blower from a temperature controller running at full speed provide enough airflow to accelerate the lighting of the lump?  

[jeffshoaf]

34 minutes ago, LK BBQ said:

Just wondering - would the blower from a temperature controller running at full speed provide enough airflow to accelerate the lighting of the lump?  

Yes, for some values of "enough"...  Just don't leave it blowing at full speed or you'll overshoot your target temp and not be able to get it back down to target temp.