Starter fluiid

[K. Smith]

My other half has a rather unique way of lighting briquettes with the chimney and it never fails him. And, no one believes it works until they try it. Now he has many converts.

He takes a coffee filter and fills it with cheap potato chips. The larger the chips the better. He places the full chimney over the chips, lights the filter and that's it.

We use the same method to light the wood fire oven. The first picture below is the initial set up. The second is a short while later.

 

[K. Smith]

He takes a coffee filter and fills it with cheap potato chips. The larger the chips the better. He places the full chimney over the chips, lights the filter and that's it. QUOTE]

Oops . . . he just told me he likes to use two coffee filters because if it's windy, the filter burns too quickly.

 

[Bryan B]

That's pretty interesting. I guess all the oil in the potato chips makes the fire catch on crazy?

I normally use my Weber Performer for lighting. I also have a gas grill with side burner and chimney as well. If going portable, I find the paper towel soaked in Crisco to work well.

 

[Mark Cote]

Now that's a new way for sure .. My daughter would give me the evil eye if she caught me burning potato chips! The kiddies only get chips on weekends so they keep a pretty tight inventory of the stock in the pantry.

 

[Mark R (LR)]

The potato chip deal reminded me of a survival show that I watched with my son where they used Frito's as a fire starter because of all of the oil in them.

I use the chimney for my wsm but still use lighter fluid for the grill. With grilling, there is plenty of time for the fluid to burn off before it's time to put the food on. On a somewhat related note, is it just me, or does it look like the lawyers got to the lighter fluid companies? In the last year or two, I've noticed that lighter fluid seems to be MUCH less volatile than it used to be. I don't get the "poof"/immediate burst of flames like I used to get. I must have missed the singed eyebrow/singed arm hair class action.

 

[JimmyE]

Even though my new Performer comes with the gas assist feature, I purchased a cheap turkey fryer which I have a bottle of propane hooked to. Chimney is lit in no time..Saw some guys at a few comps doing it that way and it works very well.

 

[Larry D.]

I still get an actual, physical newspaper delivered to the house (so call me a Luddite) so I have a ready supply of fuel for my chimney. I haven't used lighter fluid in decades. (Note: the carton from a 6-pack of beer works well, too and somehow there always seems to be one of those around).

 

[Frank H]

I still get an actual, physical newspaper delivered to the house (so call me a Luddite) so I have a ready supply of fuel for my chimney. I haven't used lighter fluid in decades. (Note: the carton from a 6-pack of beer works well, too and somehow there always seems to be one of those around).

or a takeout tray from dunkin donuts..

 

[David]

I still get an actual, physical newspaper delivered to the house (so call me a Luddite) so I have a ready supply of fuel for my chimney. I haven't used lighter fluid in decades. (Note: the carton from a 6-pack of beer works well, too and somehow there always seems to be one of those around).

Don't you hate the ashes from using newspaper?..........................d

 

[Bob H.]

I like the coffee filter and potato chips idea. The other day my son "borrowed" my chimney. Charcoal igniter fluid would have
made me very happy then. Been many years since I have used it. But out in the shed was my formerly trusty electric starter.
It still worked, and I was happy that it did.

 

[Gene_N]

Lighter fluid for smoking? Are people in a rush? If so, I suggest you buy a Weber gas grill.

 

[RCBaughn]

I used some one time to speed up my chimney lighting. Squirted a lot down from the top and after a few separate additions the whole chimney was lit and the air was filled with that familiar smell. It didn't really flavor the food that much, but I could tell it was different that the newspaper or starter cubes I had used. It was almost a good thing though, made me think of my family cooking out on my mom's side when I was little. I think next time I do burgers I am going to use a good bit of it just to get that same flavor. It brings back so many memories that I enjoy the flavor a lot even if it isn't that highly looked upon, or even considered unhealthy. Seldom as I eat that I think I can handle it.

It comes down to what you and your family prefer and that's all that matters. Mixon using it on a comp circuit may give him an advantage in taste I don't know.

If other people frown on it at cookouts you throw or don't like it in their meals.... Well, it's a bit honest and crude to say, but screw em! Ha, if I enjoy it I make it and most people like what I make on the grill or in the kitchen. I don't think that if I used solely lighter fluid would change very much in that respect unless their palates are super hoity-toity and "sophisticated."

 

[Jim S]

I have never used petroleum lighter fluid in my WSM. I think the only starter fluid I ever used in it was some 98% isopropyl alcohol that I got from work. I prefer using firestarter cubes. Two of them will get a good amount of charcoal lit quickly. Speaking of which I need to hit the hardware store for a couple fresh boxes.