Homebase Instant Lighting Charcoal

Advantages: No mess, no more lighter fluid, easy to use
Disadvantages: a bit dearer than normal charcoal but well worth it.

...again - untill I discovered Homebase instant lighting charcoal. Getting Dirty I suppose the main problem with a traditional bbq is the fact that when you come to set it up ready to light, you have to start stacking charcoal up neatly with strategically placed fire lighters or you have to pour lighter fluid all over the place and I think this tastes on the food. So all this normally results in you getting covered in black charcoal dust and ...
...I happened to be in Homebase and noticed their instant light charcoal. Loads of other people do it also but it seems to come in the same size packs and cost the same where ever you buy it. Basically it is a normal looking bag of charcoal but has four further bags inside all filled with charcoal. How Does It Work Then? All you have to do when you come to light your bbq is take one of the bags out and lay it in your bbq, you can use two if ... Read review

Advantages: Quick and reliable to light
Disadvantages:

One of the most aggravating things about barbecuing is waiting for the charcoal to get hot. You can accelerate this by using fluid, lighters etc, but I think they do taint food, however slightly. This product is different, in that it comes sealed in thick paper bags the right size for a small barbecue - e.g. the hibachi variety or a 18in diameter free standing one. You sit the whole bag in the middle of the pan, light the bag and as the bag burns, ...
...properly. After a few minutes, it is alight enough to spread it out a bit. It is probably 10-15 minutes quicker to get going than standard lump charcoal, and the lighting fluid burns off the small chunks so quickly, there is no trace left by cooking time. If you were having a party, you'd have to use two bags or a larger size may be available. It lasts quite well, and you could top up with standard lump charcoal when it is really glowing. Of course ... Read review

Advantages: Actually Works!
Disadvantages: None

Note: My old Ciao account was under the name of DigitalThing before I made this review; I did not claim the moneys in my old account as it was < £5, so by rewriting this review I am effectivly not scamming the system. Instant Lighting Charcoal is much better than normal charcoal because it saves you time and infact money. The extra price you would spend with normal lumpwood charcoal, on firelighters, or gas to put on the B.B.Q. would easily be in ...
...need is one match, light the bag that the charcoal is in and that is it, the bag burns, slowly letting the charcoal fall out and the barbeque is ready in 20 minutes. After 10 minutes level the charcoal out by shaking the barbeque my its handle. The amount of lovely barbeque smoke given off is the same, if not more compared to normal charcoal, so you get more of that nice authenic barbeque taste. Overall, this product is a time saving, and money ... Read review

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

The ease with which this stuff is prepared for use makes a mockery of anyone still selling non-quick-light charcoal. Taking one or two of the 'bag-within-the-bag' packages and then putting them on the barbecue is probably the most difficult thing about using it, as the pre-soaked accelerant makes your hands a trifle greasy. However, a single match in the most inclement conditions is all that is required to get things blazing. The barbecue is ready ... Read review

Advantages: Easy Lighting
Disadvantages: More Expensive Than Normal Charcoal

Instant Lighting Charcoal is much better than normal charcoal because it saves you time and infact money. The extra price you would spend with normal lumpwood charcoal, on firelighters, or gas to put on the B.B.Q. would easily be in excess of the price of instant lighting charcoal. All you need is one match, light the bag that the charcoal is in and that is it, the bag burns, slowly letting the charcoal fall out and the barbeque is ready in 20 minutes. ...
...the barbeque my its handel. The amount of lovely barbeque smoke given off is the same, if not more, so you get more of that nice authenic barbeque taste. Overall, this product is a time saving, and money saving device, and labour saving. Thankyou for spending time to read this splendid review abot charcoal :D ... Read review