Lighting A Charcoal Fire W/O Lighter Fluid

[crewsk]

OK, I know it can be done but how in the blue heck do you start a charcoal fire in a smoker without lighter fluid?(It wasn't the pre-soaked stuff) I was going to smoke a turkey today & I tried for about an hour to get the fire started with no luck. I finally gave up & put the bird in the oven. I would like to know for future reference though. I have seen it done but for some reason I just can't do it! Now, be easy on me, I just learned how to light a charcoal fire with lighter fluid this summer.

[Raine]

2 ways to quickly light the charcoal.

1. A charcoal chimmney
2. a weed burner

[crewsk]

I don't have either one of those. I guess a trip to Wal-Mart Lowes, or Home Depot is in order soon! I keep nagging (for lack of a better word) hubby to get a chimmney but he dosen't see the point of it. Now that he's not getting the smoked turkey he wanted maybe he will. Thanks Raine!

[GB]

Don't rely on your hubby Crewsk. Go out and pick one up yourself. It shouldn't cost more than about $15-$20 and once your husband sees the thing in action he will be thanking you for buying it. You will never have trouble lighting charcoal again.

If you lived close by I would give you mine since I now use a gas (gasp ) grill and no longer need my chimney.

[Andy M.]

A chimney seems to be the most popular and easiest method. It's relatively inexpensive ($10 to $20 depending on brand name) and simple to use. Charcoal in the top, newspaper in the bottom, lighted match in the newspaper. After a few minutes, when the coals are covered with ash, ou dump them into the smoker or grill.

[crewsk]

We use a gas grill too GB & I was going to do the turkey on it but we're almost out of gas & I didn't feel like going to swap out the tank. (Can we say lazy? ) I have to go to my parents Thursday so I'll stop & pick one up on my home from their house. I normally don't depend on hubby to get things but since he has most of the $, sometimes I have to.

[crewsk]

Thanks Andy! One more question, is there a big diffrence in brands, as far as how long they last, how well they hold up, etc?

[GB]

Yeah there can be a big Difference. You want to look for one that is sturdy, has a good handle, and possibly a guard. You can tell the cheapo ones right away. They feel cheap. Webber (of course) makes a very good chimney. Look at one of those and compare to a lesser brand.

[crewsk]

Thanks GB! I'd much rather spend $20 on one that's going to last a long time rather than $10 on one that will not.

[GB]

Smart choice!