Coal questions?

[tailkilla]

Hello all! Im new to the forum and new to smoking. What do you recommend for coals. Is it safe to use the match light coals. If not then how do I get the regular coals to light up with out using lighter fluid?

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Hello all! Im new to the forum and new to smoking. What do you recommend for coals. Is it safe to use the match light coals. If not then how do I get the regular coals to light up with out using lighter fluid?

I would suggest not to use match light or any sort of starter fluid to a charcoal smoker. You can use a charcoal starter chimney, starter cubes and even a propane torch to start the charcoal.

My 2 cent

 

[jrod62]

Charcoal starter is the best way .

 

[alblancher]

Buy a chimney.  Fill 1/2 to 3/4 full with charcoal or briquettes, lightly stuff new paper in the bottom part and light the paper.   A little cooking oil drizzled on the newspaper may help.   You might have to reload the newspaper once or twice but remember if you pack it to tightly it will just smolder.

 

[max-paul]

Use of news paper on a chimney is simple but I have had it go out a few times over the years. I usually use 3 full sheets, but have also gone 4 sheets. I ball them up and place them so that there is a hole in the middle.Need an air path to help with the burn. Recently seen where the writer takes 3 sheets and twist them and makes 3 rings that just fit into the bottom of the chimney. Again leaving an hole in the middle for a path that air can feed the fire. And like the last person said I have heard of the use of sprinkled cooking oil. But I have not seen a need to mess with this. Just good old newspaper and one of those lighters with the 4" nozzle so you dont burn your fingers. Lump coal will also help keep chemical taste out of your food.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

  , Yep , use some Petrochemicals to start your fire, then ingest all the by-products

. I'm sorry , but DUDE , spend $10 bucks on a Chimney, the Charcoal has enough stuff in them, Ya don't need any more...just sayin'

Have fun and...think wood....

 

[africanmeat]

Buy a chimney.  Fill 1/2 to 3/4 full with charcoal or briquettes, lightly stuff new paper in the bottom part and light the paper.   A little cooking oil drizzled on the newspaper may help.   You might have to reload the newspaper once or twice but remember if you pack it to tightly it will just smolder.

X2 

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have been using a Chimney for a couple of years. I do the Alton Brown thing, 2 sheet of News paper, I have used 4-5 sheets of the kids note book paper, drizzle with 1 Tbs of Veg Oil and crumble it up and stuff the bottom. Real quick and random. I light it and set it on top of my Weber Kettle to get plenty of air. 15-20 minutes later the thing is burning like a Jet engine. No fuss and no petroleum smell...JJ

 

[rtbbq2]

Yup, buy a chimney. It's quick and easy and no chemicals. It usually takes two pieces of newspaper and ya gotta fire man....

..............

NOW......All you need to do now is catch da-meet............

...........................Then the fun begins........................