Grill Fanatics - Firelighters

These firelighters for kamado are twisted wood shavings soaked in wax. They catch flame instantly and burn steadily for a few minutes, exactly long enough for the charcoal around them to take over. You don't need firelighter fluid or a torch, and no chemical smell is released. On a kamado that matters, because the ceramic absorbs smells and you don't easily get them out again.

What makes firelighters for kamado pleasant to use

A shaving has a lot of surface area and little mass. That means it flares up instantly, even when it's cold or damp outside. You place one or two between your coals, light them and leave the air vents open. Within a quarter of an hour you usually have a glowing nest you can steer from towards low smoking temperature, or straight to full heat for steaks.

• Catches flame with one match, even in wind
• No chemical smell soaking into the ceramic
• One to two shavings per session is usually enough
• Works with charcoal and briquettes in kamado, kettle and fire basket
• Also usable as a firelighter for the open fireplace

How to light up

Make two small dips in your coal bed and place one shaving in each. Cover them loosely with small pieces of coal so the fire has something to catch onto directly. Light them, leave the bottom air vent and top damper fully open and keep the lid open for a few minutes. Once the coals are glowing all around, close the kamado and steer towards your target temperature with the vents.

Storage

Keep the shavings dry. Moisture stops the wax from doing its job as well, and lighting then takes longer. A sealed box or tin in the shed is enough.

Bill's tipTwo shavings spaced apart works better than two side by side. That gives you a wider glowing bed and a more even temperature.

Looking for a large pack? Check out the 1 kg firelighters. Matching coal is at bbq charcoal and the complete range of firelighting material is under charcoal, smoking wood and firestarters.