- Aug 13, 2014
- 22
- 21
I apologize if this has been posted before. I did a search, but couldn't find anything.
In the past, I've read here people lighting smoke tubes (A-Maze-N type, or others) with propane torches, or fire starter cubes. For me, each one is problematic. Standing there for 10 minutes holding a torch is annoying, and using the cubes takes careful placement among the pellets. I've had them go out too soon if they get covered by the pellets.
I was recently on Ebay looking for a longer tube (for longer smokes), and one of the people rating the product, stated that they used Isopropyl alcohol (99%) for lighting the pellets. For me, this is easily the best way to light my pellets.
Fill up a shot glass or something of similar size, with pellets, cover them with the 99% isopropyl alcohol, and soak for 15 minutes or so. Even though the alcohol soaks into the pellets, it does not cause them to swell like water does. Pour off the excess alcohol, pour soaked pellets in the tube with the dry pellets and light. So, far, this method is pretty much foolproof. I don't have to stand there with a torch, I can tend to other tasks, and I don't have to worry about starter cubes going out. The only thing to watch for, is getting too much alcohol, which might cause too many of the pellets to light and smoke, shortening how long the pellets in the tube last, or creating too much smoke.
And it's cheap!
In the past, I've read here people lighting smoke tubes (A-Maze-N type, or others) with propane torches, or fire starter cubes. For me, each one is problematic. Standing there for 10 minutes holding a torch is annoying, and using the cubes takes careful placement among the pellets. I've had them go out too soon if they get covered by the pellets.
I was recently on Ebay looking for a longer tube (for longer smokes), and one of the people rating the product, stated that they used Isopropyl alcohol (99%) for lighting the pellets. For me, this is easily the best way to light my pellets.
Fill up a shot glass or something of similar size, with pellets, cover them with the 99% isopropyl alcohol, and soak for 15 minutes or so. Even though the alcohol soaks into the pellets, it does not cause them to swell like water does. Pour off the excess alcohol, pour soaked pellets in the tube with the dry pellets and light. So, far, this method is pretty much foolproof. I don't have to stand there with a torch, I can tend to other tasks, and I don't have to worry about starter cubes going out. The only thing to watch for, is getting too much alcohol, which might cause too many of the pellets to light and smoke, shortening how long the pellets in the tube last, or creating too much smoke.
And it's cheap!