Alternatives To Barbecue Lighter FluidAlongside the charcoal in the store will be barbecue lighter fluid, probably a lighter gel, a general purpose firelighter cube and if you're really lucky an electric charcoal lighter, so which is the best and why? Which option guarantees to light the charcoal without any hassle? It's got to be the electric charcoal lighter because there really is no mess and there's absolutely no chance of contamination with petroleum derivatives but most of all it is safe. Too many times have I seen people bending down and blowing onto charcoal to get the BBQ going risking a spark in the eye. The electric barbecue lighter eliminates risk because it works first time and every time. How much are your eyes worth? The point about petroleum derivatives is that any other charcoal lighting method will contain some form of organic flammable substrate that by definition will have a smell that can taint the flavor of your food. Whereas wood chips add great flavor, solvents add bad flavor.
If you can't get hold of an electric lighter for tonight's BBQ then you're back to the three traditional choices, lighter fluid, gel or firelighter. I go for the firelighter cube for three reasons:-
OK so reason three is a bit lame but the other two make good sense to me. I never use BBQ lighter fluid because if the fire doesn’t kick off first time, trying to relight with fluid can be dangerous. At best the already warm coals evaporate the fluid before it gets time to absorb at worst it immediately ignites from an ember and then all your doing is burning fluid and causing big flames that can be a safety hazard. TIP - Lighter Fluid must be given time to absorb into the charcoal before lighting otherwise you’re flogging a dead horse. BBQ lighter gel does work, I just find it messy. For me the best bet is to place a firelighter on a bed of charcoal, light it and then build more charcoal on top of the burning lighter. It works every time………well nearly! Related Pages:- Review Your Own Barbecue, Equipment And Accessories
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