What Works as Lighter Fluid?
There are few people who don't love the smell and taste of food barbecued on the grill. Some grills are gas, making them self-starting, but many other grills operate on charcoal, which must be manually lit. Anyone who's ever grilled knows that charcoal can be tricky to light. Lighter fluid has become the go-to solution for many people; however, there are several alternatives available. Does this Spark an idea?
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Chimneys
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Fire chimneys eliminate the use of lighter fluid through a simple technique -- lighting the briquettes with paper. These chimneys are cylindrical and feature a space where the newspaper can be put. The chimney contains a grate around the center that holds the charcoal. Although it's not the most green-friendly solution to an already dirty process, it will eliminate the wait time for burning the lighter fluid off charcoal briquettes.
Fire Starters
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Fire Starters come in several types, but all serve one purpose -- they're highly flammable and burn for long periods of time, allowing charcoal to light efficiently. Some types, such as Landmann Fire Starter, provide very little odor and can be used in conjunction with a chimney if desired. The lifespan varies on fire starters, but they usually burn for several minutes.
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Electric Starters
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People use the power of electricity on most household items -- why not in the barbecue pit? Electric starters provide a bit of a modern flare on grilling. The electric starter is installed below the charcoal and contains a plug that must be fed into an outlet, providing electricity to the unit. Simply turn it on and follow the directions; heating times will vary, but usually last around 15 to 20 minutes.
Other Alternatives
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Many grills are designed to eliminate the issue of lighting charcoal. Some grills operate off natural gas or propane. Most of these grills eliminate the use of charcoal all together, as they create a flame using the gas, which serves to cook the food directly. Or, some grills use the gas to simply start the charcol, at which time the gas supply is turned off.
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References
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