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    Shenoy
    Unique methods to starting charcoal?
    Topic posted July 28, 2009 by ShenoyBrainy Brainstormers, last edited February 9, 2012 by CarlosBrainy Brainstormers , tagged tips and techniques
    837 Views, 11 Comments
    Title:
    Unique methods to starting charcoal?
    Summary:
    Does anyone have any interesting techniques or materials to start charcoal?

    Comment

     

    • Michael Petrin
      posted August 25, 2009 by Michael PetrinInnovation Ambassadors

      As a kid, I learned to light a whole bag of charcoal (regardless of size) by poking holes (about two dozen) somewhat uniformly around the bag as it lies in the grill, (Flipping upsdie down so at least some holes are in bottom), and completing the holes on top and around sides.

      Then light four corners of bag on fire -  25 minutes later - all the coals ready to go. Bag consummed.

      Works everytime.  Beats a starter chimmney which only gets 1/4 to 1/3 of coals ready, then have to kindle the remainder.

      Does not require Match Light bag or fluid.

       

    • Michael Petrin
      posted August 25, 2009 by Michael PetrinInnovation Ambassadors

      Why not launch a Kingsford branded "Natural" or "Eco" firestarter  (maybe a gelled or thickened ethanol with natural colorant and some sodium present to produce yellow flame highlights for consumer feedback on ignition).

      Claims:  natural, renewable resource, no residue, no taste

                   Also confirm no residual alcohol remaining so that it can be used universally.

       

       

    • Greg P
      posted August 27, 2009 by Greg PInnovation Ambassadors

      I've seen people (namely Ed) use a blow torch to light the coals.  They're pretty cheap - and pretty fun...

    • Carlos
      posted August 27, 2009 by CarlosBrainy Brainstormers

      I have heard heat guns work quite well.

      I have a Weber Performer grill which is a charcoal grill with a gas a starter.  Lighting the coals is guaranteed (unless your gas canister runs out), and you don't have to worry about lighter fluid flavor.

    • Scoulter
      posted August 27, 2009 by ScoulterInnovation Ambassadors

      There's a new firelog out at Home Depot that is "eco-positioned" and uses wax-covered cardboard.  It claims to have significantly less soot and creosol than wood (<80% I think) and to be made from waste stream cardboard.  It lights quickly and keeps burning for about 1-2 hours. Anyway something like that could be used as a firestarter brick that gets put at the bottom of a charcoal pile. (Kind of like the girlscout trick of pouring wax and dryer lint in old egg cartons as firestarters when camping.) Certainly much better, faster, easier than newspaper.... I never liked the whole newspaper thing as "kindling".  The pieces always floated around and stuck to the food.

    • Internal Wild Card
      posted September 4, 2009 by Internal Wild CardInfluential Innovators

      Liquid oxygen!

      See video:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8

      There is more if you search around youtube.

    • jim farr
      posted September 8, 2009 by jim farrBrainy Brainstormers

      Going back to the days when I would make my own fireworks, a good way of making a fuse is to soak string in sodium or ammonium nitrate. It would be possible to make firestarters out of string or nonwoven sheets that would have no VOC issues and could be placed in the middle of a charcoal pile. A nonwoven execution is particularly attractive since it would be possible to wrap charcoal up in it and then place in the middle of the remaining pile of charcoal for really good contact.

       

      Internationally, there are many executions of the wax / sawdust sticks and perhaps a more optimal shape, would make these more functional. For example, versions that are more flat (like a sheet) would have higher surface area and potentially better contact with the charcoal.

    • Han Chang
      posted September 28, 2009 by Han ChangInnovation Ambassadors

      A friend suggested laundry lint...but Irene Fusman has discounted this method, saying that it smells horrendous.

    • Dewain Garner
      posted September 30, 2009 by Dewain GarnerInfluential Innovators

      I have used laundry lint before and not had a problem with smell.

      Similar to Jim's comments, the thing that has worked the very best for my boy scouts is to make small roles of newspaper (1.5-2 inches long by 0.5 inche diamter) and dip them in molten Parafin wax. Once cooled we have a "fire starter" that usually lights with a single macth and burns long enough to start an entire pile of briquettes.

    • Roger
      posted September 30, 2009 by RogerInnovation Ambassadors

      In a recent Boy Scout magazine article on emergency survival tips, they recomended using white cotton underwear to start a fire when in a pinch.  They authors tested several well known fire starting survival techniques and the white cotton underwear won hands down.

      May not be something that you want to do at the family campfire, but in an emergency, at least you'll know those tidy whities can come in handy!

    • Lloyd Cross
      posted November 6, 2009 by Lloyd Cross

      I use a chiminy starter, but with a unique technique - this works well in wet climates:

      I use lighter fluid on the newspaper before loading the briquets into the starter (none on the charcoal).

      Light the paper.

      Works even if the newspaper or the briquets are a bit damp.

     

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