Charcoal to Light a Coal Stove.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 12:41 am

Is there any reason to not use charcoal and lighter fluid to light a coal stove off and then pour coal on top of the fire. When its going good?

And if your going to say don't use lighter fluid. How about soaking some charcoal in fluid and using it that way.

GeorgiePorgie · Post by **GeorgiePorgie** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 3:36 am

Works fine either way, I just don't like the smell of the starter fluid inside the house.

duryeaburner · Post by **duryeaburner** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 6:12 am

it worked for me!

Body Hammer · Post by **Body Hammer** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 6:16 am

The lump charcoal works great.( Cowboy brand at Lowes) I put a pile in the middle of the grate with coal on either side, then light it with a propane torch. I torch directly into the charcoal for about 45 seconds to get it going, then shut the top door and open the ash door. Only takes a minute or two before you can start putting a little coal on. No fluid and no smell or soot on the glass. I hope I won't be doing it again til fall of 2010. But probably my wife will want to take a damn vacation or something stupid like that.

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 6:24 am

It would work, I just don't like the idea of using the starter fluid in confined spaces and inside your house. A number of us are using Cowboy coal or lump charcaol to light our stoves. It's basicly pieces of hardwood that has been preheated in the absence of oxygen turning it into charcoal. Just put some on the grate, hit it with a handheld torch for a minute, let it get burning a bit then add some coal on top. Very easy.

Jeff

packard bill · Post by **packard bill** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 6:47 am

I use the cowboy "lump" or "match lite". No fluid, and it works great and doesn't smell near as bad. place a small bag of match lite in, some coal on top, and 15 min later add more coal, and soon you've got a nice fire built. no newspaper,wood mess, wood smoke.etc.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 6:52 am

I've used charcoal, a large coffee can full, I soak it with lighter fluid before placing it in the stove. I light it from underneath the grates with a propane torch in the handfed. I'll have to try that cowboy stuff when I shut down the stoker for maintenance soon.

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 7:37 am

For the reading stoker I've been using wood pellets soaked in denatured alcohol. About a cup of pellets and half cup of alky.....but...wear gloves when you light it, it can woof a bit & take knuckle hair.

Give the pellets 3 min to get going and then sprinkle coal on top. Another 3 min, more coal. Job done. I think I'll get some of that Cowboy charcoal.

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 8:12 am

The Cowboy or other brands of lump charcoal is rather cheap also, around 6 or 7 dollars. One bag if kept dry will last for a number of years unless your like me. I buy a bag each year and use it for my stove in the winter. Only need to light the stove 2x's per season usually. Once for initial startup and again in Jan. for mid season cleaning. The rest gets used during the summer for the grill. Much prefer charcoal to gas when grilling. I do use the gas grill in the winter though. I think I use my grills more than the stove for the most part.

Jeff

ceccil · Post by **ceccil** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 8:16 am

Freddy, have you tried the gel for starting the pellets? My brother has a pellet stove and uses the gel to start it. Seems to work rather well.

Jeff

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 11:52 am

Lump charcoal, no fluid needed...
Some paper in first...
Dump in the whole bag of charcoal...
My stove holds 175# of coal so I do not want startup failure...
Toss the bag in on top...
Light with wooden match...
When it starts sparkin' with the ash door open 1"...
Start adding small scoops of pea coal...
The first 3 scoops go very slow...
Once that starter coal has caught you can pick up the pace...
Fired up and running...
After 3 hours...
'Cause I am careful with the startup on this stove...
I do not want to empty 100# of half lit coal because I rushed it...

9mmruger · Post by **9mmruger** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 2:28 pm

I use match-light charcoal and it works great. No muss, no fuss.

Paisan · Post by **Paisan** » Thu. Dec. 17, 2009 3:16 pm

Hand held torch, match-light, and draft. You got easy fire.

types_with_fist · Post by **types_with_fist** » Fri. Dec. 18, 2009 1:51 am

What 9mmruger said.

Jack Magnum · Post by **Jack Magnum** » Fri. Dec. 18, 2009 8:35 am

I agree with Body hammer !!! I tried the charcoal last year and didn't like the smell. I tried cowboy from Lowes and a propane torch and just keep adding coal as it catches. Works great !!!