Can't find my charcoal lighter fluid. Use paint thinner instead?

[Muse]

I'm just sure I have some but can't find it. I've used paint thinner before, but it was a long time ago. Is there any good reason not to just use some paint thinner? I also have acetone and naptha...

 

[veloc1ty]

UMM just use gas or something? paint = badd

 

Would you really like to risk poisoning yourself instead of spending 10 minutes to go to the store to get lighter fluid?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Paint thinner could be dangerous, I wouldn't use it. Also, there may be chemicals in it that aren't good for you.

 

[FleshLight]

If you're just lighting a fire for a bonfire or something, sure, but I don't think having paint thinner fumes absorbed by your meat is a good idea.

 

[Vich]

Yes do it, and kill yourself.

 

[ktehmok]

Paper bag bro...

or roll up newspaper into a make-shift log.

If you can't get a bbq going with that then turn in teh man-card & go tampon shopping.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Muse
I'm just sure I have some but can't find it. I've used paint thinner before, but it was a long time ago. Is there any good reason not to just use some paint thinner? I also have acetone and naptha...

Never use any flammable liquid other than starter fluid to start a charcoal grill. Gasoline, paint thinner and other petroleum products are not designed to start charcoal grills. They burn explosively and release toxins that can contaminate your food.

 

[sharkeeper]

Dieselburgers...mmmm good.

I would not use spirits though. Just don't like the idea. Ditto for real turpentine - yuck! Patty probably taste like it was picked off deck swabbed with pine sol. That sh!t is NASTY.

 

[Howard]

Buy yourself a charcoal chimney, or fabricate one yourself.

 

[Sentinel]

get some self lighting charcoal.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: Howard
Buy yourself a charcoal chimney, or fabricate one yourself.

FTW

An old coffee can would work fine...

 

[sharkeeper]

Oh and if you need to light it FAST and want to do it inertly...

Use LIQUID OXYGEN!

Purdue made George take down that page a few years ago.

 

[shilala]

If you had any balls you'd use gasoline just like the rest of us do.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Oh and if you need to light it FAST and want to do it inertly...

Use LIQUID OXYGEN!

Purdue made George take down that page a few years ago.

I like to put the briquets in a bottle with the fluid and let it soak for a few minute to penetrate, then put the coals in a coffee can with both ends cut out and light. I also have some alcohol - denatured alcohol. Would that be bad? Hey, if it's an issue I'll go buy some BBQ lighter fluid. I'm sure that acetone wouldn't leave a poisonous residue or any kind. I'm kind of concerned because I think it's pretty volatile. It might be a bit explosive. Aw, I'm not a wuss....

 

[Poulsonator]

Got a friend who uses thinner to start his charcoal grill. Has done it his whole life. I've eaten a few meals off that grill, I'm still kickin'. He's 30 now, so we'll see if it kills him off. I bet the booze and the smokes do it first.

 

[thomsbrain]

classic thread!

 

[MustangSVT]

use paper.

the egg holder does wonders

secret i use

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
use paper.

the egg holder does wonders

secret i use

Oh, like a cardboard egg container? I bet that would work fine ... especially if I sprinkle a little something on it like alcohol.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

YOu realize that whatever you put onto those charcoals is going to vaporize and soak into the food that you're preparing to eat, right? I dunno, if you don't mind drinking paint thinner or gas, go right ahead I guess

 

[BadNewsBears]

If you have naptha use that. Naptha= white gas=zippo fluid= do it

 

[garkon]

well since paint thinner, gas and all that leave residue or whatever, why dose starting fluid not. Its still a flamable liquid no?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Nik
YOu realize that whatever you put onto those charcoals is going to vaporize and soak into the food that you're preparing to eat, right? I dunno, if you don't mind drinking paint thinner or gas, go right ahead I guess

Well, that has to go for the stuff they sell expressly for the purpose. Would you drink that?

This link makes it plain that the stuff they sell to start briquets is bad for the environment and bad for your guests: Kick Off Season With Healthier Barbeques

BTW, the Charcoal Chimney Starter mentioned above appears to be a good idea (see link above).

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: BadNewsBears
If you have naptha use that. Naptha= white gas=zippo fluid= do it

I have almost a gallon of naptha. Do you think that would be healthier than charcoal lighter fluid?

 

[suse920]

wow... yeah pour the whole thing on it and make sure that you get some sediment from the bottom too.