How To Light Natural Lumpwood Coal?

[the_cool]

On my quest to find good coal, I am going to buy some regular lumpwood natural coal thats usually used to bbq's.

But how should I light them? I cant use lighter fluid since i dont want to add chemicals to the coal, and also i dont want to be lighting alot of coals at one time espeically if im only smoking a bowl on my own. How long does it take to light on a gas stove? Or should I invest in a coil burner?

Thanks

[modisess]

i think they're best be light on a gas stove.. i use them and they usually get red hot after about 5 minutes or so, not red hot all around though.

EDIT : after the 5 minutes, i usually turn off the fire and let them sit for about 3 to 5 minutes, then do they get red hot all around. Edited December 7, 2008 by modisess

[srawas89]

its ok to use lighter fluid I use that all the time and the lighter fluid you can not taste. Its not present when the coals are done it all burns off by that time. But if you dont follow modisess's advice.

[mushrat]

you smoke coals that have ben started with lighter fluid??

[srawas89]

yea do it all the time...there is no flavor from the lighter fluid and it really is gone by the time the coals are ready

[ryno]

I'ver tried lighting them on a coil and it takes around 10 min to get the coals fully going... I'd think a gas stove would work better

[the_cool]

The lighter fluid may be tasteless when smoked but could be harmful which is why im worried about using it!

I think I'll try the stove first. How do you guys rate using lumpwood? Any good?

[antouwan]

The lighter fluid may be tasteless when smoked but could be harmful which is why im worried about using it!

I think I'll try the stove first. How do you guys rate using lumpwood? Any good?

like srawas said, i've heard of and seen people use lighter fluid before, as long as you let them sit and hang out they should be fine - the fuel has to burn up eventually.

personally, i use the coil burner, because gas stoves are difficult to get everything lit, and with the coil burner, you rest it on the actual heating element, which in my experience is more efficent (you can light more coals faster) and much less of a hassle.

if you get some citruswood or hickory (i think; citruswood for sure though like orange and lemonwood, or olive seed) you should be 100% good. lemonwood and orangewood are/were traditionally used, and i think they work great; they're much better to use if you're smoking outside though, if you're indoors they're much more of a hassle.