Ideal Bite

Wanna go where few grillers have gone before?

05.21.2008

Submitted by tmeronek on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 12:11am.

The Bite:

Explore lighter fluid alternatives. As BBQ season heats up, many people are using the nasty stuff to light their coals, but if you haven't already switched to gas, put eco-friendlier (and tastier) ways to light your charcoal on the map.

The Benefits:

Discovering greener grilling. Lighter fluid's made from not-so-eco, nonrenewable petroleum distillates that let off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contribute to unhealthy, ground-level ozone pollution.
A key to healthier 'cuing. Those VOCs can cause everything from headaches to cancer.
No gnarly lighter-fluid taste.

Personally Speaking:

Toshio misses the tri-weekly BBQs he had when he lived in Portland and had a big backyard. The concrete slab behind his SF flat (just big enough for the recycle bin and trash can) doesn't quite measure up.

Wanna Try:

Char-Broil Charcoal Starter Wand - just plug in this fire-starter and stick it under your coals for about 10 minutes ($18).
Weber Chimney Starter - put your briquettes inside, and light some newspaper below to get grilling ($15).
Cowboy Charcoal - charcoal made in the United States from maple and oak scraps ($20/20 pounds).
Virtual Weber Bullet - easy-does-it guide to using a chimney starter.