My family and I were driving through the neighborhood on our way to a picnic and it was the quintessential Memorial Day. Flags were blowing in the wind, kids were running around the backyards and smoke was billowing from grills. It seemed like nothing could be better until the stomach wrenching stench of burning lighter fluid entered the car. Choking on the caustic fumes, I quickly rolled up the windows and explained to my kids the error in that Man’s ways.
No Man working a grill can call themself a tru grill master if they use artificial propellants to start their fire. (Hell, I even have a problem cooking with propane, but i’ll save that for another day). It’s only a matter of time before the BBQ Gods strike down on you for using lighter fluid and as one Memphis guy found out foul tasting burgers may become the least of your worries.
With so many viable options out there, save the lighter fluid for your Zippo and invest in either a Charcoal Chimney or a Weed Burner.
A Charcoal Chimney can be bought at any hardware store. 2 pieces of newspaper on the bottom, about 8 lbs of lump charcoal on top, one match and 20 minutes later, you’ve got a bed of hot coals without any chemical enhancers.
Using a weed burner to light your charcoal is like hunting for chimpmunks with a .577 T- Rex Rifle. You can easily fire up a bed of coals in under a minute. This is the only time I accept propane near my grill and it doubles as a great grill cleaner too.
Be A Man.
-The Founding Father
Filed under: BBQ, Food, How-To | Tagged: Chimney, Lighter Fluid, Memorial Day, weed burner
