How to Start Charcoal with the Fastest Way

Watched an interesting post on how to get your charcoal ready in a hurry.

Other than the fact that he uses the WORST charcoal ever - Kingsford Match Light - this is a trick that I've used for awhile. I have a mini-blow-dryer that's battery powered that works very well. I've used it at BBQ comps for years - the key is to use a hair dryer that is not too high-powered, as that can blow the flame out or spread ash/sparks outside of our grill/pit.

BTW, based on personal experience, do not use a chimney starter with match light briquettes. Flames shoot out the top of the starter like a jet engine, and it is nearly impossible to dump out into the grill unless you are wearing a full body suit. [themoreyouknow.jpg]

mike

HI,

Want fireworks in your smoker, grill or chimney starter? Mesquite hardwood charcoal must have a lot of resin, because it was a surprise the first time I used it.

Regards,

A leaf blower works pretty well too!

That guy was very slow is lighting the grill.

I have to say that I'm underwhelmed by the original video, that looks pretty slow to me.

My usual method is lump charcoal in a chimney placed on a turkey fryer propane burner - it's about as fast as the blow dryer method show in the video. If you want to really speed things up I think MHill has the right idea, use a leaf blower (or a reversed shop vac). I've done some stuff with a shop vac in reverse to do Tandoori in a Weber and ended up melting the handle on the top of the Weber in about 3-4 minutes. The other way to go is to use a weed burner, that will get lump charcoal going in no time at all.