BBQ

[BigIan]

Given a choice, I'll pay a bit extra (but not too much extra) for instant-light charcoal then add a little lighting fluid as well. Don't waste your money on gel. You'll do just as well with crumbled up fire lighters, although you shouldn't need either with instant-light.

I use a chimney starter with wood shaving for the starter no need for any chemicals at all...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYDaL_b5VjY

Another advantage of lump wood over briquetes is that you can then use the ash in the garden, where as with briquetes you never can be too sure whats in them.

 

[Space cat]

I use a chimney starter --

In interesting gadget. I might look into them.

-- with briquetes you never can be too sure whats in them.

Very true. If I had to guess, I'd say it was plain old clay (aluminium silicate) - it's plentiful and cheap and it doesn't burn - but you can never be sure. What you can be sure of is that, with briquettes, you'll have a lot of ash to get rid of.