Match-Lite Charcoal?


 
P

PeteH

TVWBB Super Fan
Does anyone have a link to studies/analysis of the health affects of match-lite charcoal or the use of lighter fluid on charcoal?
My work neighbor thinks there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and I can't convince him that it's just not right.

Thanks in advance. Peter
 
As long as you let it burn off properly, I don't think there are any adverse health affects using either-or on a grill. ( smoker no way)
Not what I would use, but to each his own
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Tim
 
I throw a few of them, on the bottom of my chimmeny starter, then regular coals on top. America's test kitchen does this every now and then, and honestly, I see no problem with this method. Whatever is on the match light, it is long burned off, by time the regular coals are lit. It's fine. Really. It makes it so easy, to use.
 
From what I have read charcoal overall has been indicated in causing cancer. The problem occurs when meat is charred, the fat and charred meat produce cancer causing chemicals to form. However this has also been shown in meat that has high heat from broiling or pan frying. That is why I prefer Royal Oak because it is real hardwood and cleaner.Maybe give him a bag of Royal Oak and let him "taste" the difference.
 
Thanks for the responses.
I guess it's not a health thing, but merely a taste thing.
Tim's got the right take on it - To each his own.

Thanks again, Peter
 
My father used about 1/4 Match Light and 3/4 Kingsford in his Weber, which he'd almost always use to cook sides of fresh salmon. He was religious about waiting until every coal ashed over, and we never had a taste issue.

That being said, I don't use it (heck, I don't even like to use Kingsfords any more), so I figure it'd be fine.

From a chemistry standpoint, it depends on the accelerant used. If it's something simple like butane or other basic alkanes, combustion gives only CO2 and water, provided that combustion is thorough (i.e. ashed over and hot as heck). If the accelerants are more complicated, then who knows - it's possible some of the by-products are nasty. I couldn't find what Kingsford adds to Match Light on the web, so I don't know.
 
A little more food for thought. We see complete combustion only under ideal conditions. Even with computerized micro-management, auto makers still find complete combustion elusive. I would think something would make it to your food, regardless.

However, I do not think enough would be left on the food to compete with the many other poisons we expose ourselves to, from sugar to soy to tobacco.

For health, I look more at your exposure to the stuff before it its burned. Lighter fluid alone supposedly pumps 15,000 tons of volatile organic compounds into the air annually before it its burned (depending on which group of wacko tree-huggers you listen to). Regardless, squeeze, squeeze, squirt, squirt, splash, splash, light, flame.... smell that? It is your brain cells dying. You just huffed chemicals, like the glue/paint junkie across town.

If your neighbor its an adult & wants to ingest dangerous chemicals, advise him of the dangers, then leave him alone.
 
I always struggled with rolled up newspaper, but 2-3 paper towels with motor oil (I kid I kid, just cheap vegetable oil) drizzled across & rolled up has never failed me yet.
 
I don't even add vegetable oil to my "starter paper". I just recycle my newspaper. The second use seems to be far more useful than the first use... (first use being reading the trash...)

Dale53
 
I do use Matchlight when I take my Smokey Joe to the beach. Let it go 20 minutes and you will not taste any difference on the burgers. I have also used lighter fluid and if you let it burn off you will have no problems.
 
I will take a pass on Match Light and products like it. There is just no real need for them. I can taste it in the meat even when the coals are completely ashed over.
 
IMHO - Some nasty stuff. It only took one use a long time ago the ditch this stuff. Same with the petro based starters. Please get a chimney, newspaper, and wait for the coals.

Vaughan
 
Originally posted by Charles Howse:
I'm ag'in' it!
No burn accelerators...ever!
Click to expand...

Charles, what do you use to light your charcoal? I mean even newspaper could be called an accelerator....

I'm always looking for better ways to start my charcoal. I currently use the Weber cubes because I don't like all the ash from newspapers and paper towels.
 
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