This little piece of advice has to rank in the top five, maybe even top two, of the best information... ever.Back in 2001, I saw AB using the device in the "Grill Seekers" episode and thought it was a great way to light charcoal and much safer. That summer I looked high and low for one. At the time they were not easily found. But at some point one was located at a local Lowe's. And after that my grilling life changed.
The first thing that is so great is no lighter fluid! One thing my mom use to complain about grilled food was the lighter fluid taste. Well, that's gone now!
The other thing I love about the device is it quickly and always lights the charcoal. Sometimes battling the starter fluid took more time than the cooking. I have yet to have that problem with this item. And like AB says, the coals get jet engine hot. Amazingly hot.
My little charcoal starter has been with me since 2001 and has seen better days.
I'd love to have one of those big shiny Weber chimney starters, but I just can't part with my little guy. I'll use it until it falls apart, I suppose.
Last year, I almost bought a new one. I was telling a co-worker she needed to buy one because she was complaining about lighter fluid. She told me about the one from Home Depot. Silver, shiny and big. She also said her husband didn't believe one wad of newspaper could light all of that charcoal. After trying he was convinced. So convinced, he told his son-in-law to get one.
Yeah, this is most certainly one of the best tips I've picked up from AB.
6 comments:
I love my chimney starter, too, and mine is starting to look like yours. Another bit of advice I use from AB is to put a little cooking oil on the newspaper before you light it; that way, it burns slower and gives he charcoal a better chance to light.
You use briquettes? Not lump charcoal?
Unfortunately, because I can't locate lump charcoal locally.
I found some natural briquettes at Lowe's a few weeks back and was so happy.
Really? Wow. I've begun seeing it in most stores near me, now. Is there a Sears near you? One near me has it. I think Home Depot does too.
I wonder if it's a regional thing?
One bad thing about where I live, we have a serious lack selection. The stores just stock basic stuff... brings back memories of trying to find the corn husks *twitch, twitch*
I will check at Home Depot, though. Thanks for the tip. Sears is at the mall, which I avoid like the plaque!
The Lowe's where I found the natural briquettes had a slot for chunk charcoal but none. That was the first time I had spotted it locally. But of course it was gone! It was the Friday before Memorial Day.
I just saw lump charcoal at Lowes today.
Also, does the chimney starter work well for briquettes?
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