Tips for lighting a quarter-full chimney starter?
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Hi guys and gals,
Whenever I do a smoke on my kettle, I use the snake method, which means I only need a handful of briquettes to start the chain.
I usually use the leftover briquettes from the last smoke/ barbecue, and add a handful more, but I’m always paranoid that the chimney starter won’t light them properly because it is only about a quarter full.
Anyone else here do the same? Any tips?
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julian
I use the same amount of newspaper no matter how full I fill it. I also use the leftover coals, just tossing them on top. -
I use my unburned charcoal all the time because as a disabled veteran I live on a fixed income. I use dryer lint, or cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly, they both work great but the cotton balls burn hotter and longer. I also keep both in my bug out bag, in my truck, in my camping gear, etc. in case of emergencies. Another little trick is instead of paying an arm and a leg for waterproof matches make your own, all you need is a box of stick matches and a bottle of clear finger nail polish it takes a little bit of time but will save you a lot of money. Simply dip the strike end of the match into the clear finger nail polish and lay the match on a table or something else flat with the strike end of the match hanging over the tables edge so the polish can dry. You now have a water proof match that will burn longer and hotter even if it is windy.
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I just use the waxed cardboard type firestarters even with 1/4 full chimney. I’ve never had a problem.
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They look like this but there are lots of different brands but they are all the same thing.