Using A Coal Mouse in A Harman Mark II

coal cracker SE · Post by **coal cracker SE** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2010 12:56 am

Hello; Was wondering if anyone has used a coal mouse to start your coal fire in your Harman mark II?? If so how'd it work for ya?

kozel · Post by **kozel** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2010 3:49 pm

I didn't even know what a coal mouse was. I have a mark I and I start a fire with newspaper and a few scoops of lump charcoal (not bbq briquettes). Fully open the bottom door and when the charcoal gets going well, start adding the coal slowly at first. When the coal is going, close the door and adjust the air. Don't rush it.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2010 7:47 pm

Yeah, I never heard of one either until I discovered this forum!

If you ask local businesses if they have one, you will get the same reaction as when you ask for a HOGIE.

Charcoal & lighter fluid. Works every time. I bought 3 bags of charcoal in '05. I still have a bag left!

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2010 8:25 pm

Mice are more for stokers...
Rice coal and mice go together...
Nut coal needs more power...
Real wood charcoal does the trick for me...
About 4 pounds worth...
I use a Rat not a Mouse...

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Tue. Jan. 26, 2010 5:14 am

I have only ever used the Match Lite. I use one bag a year - when I initially light up in DEC - but that's just because I don't want any left over. It's fast. The smell can be a bit much but it goes away quickly. That's a smell my now teens associate with Christmas because that's when I usually lite up the stove.

Lisa

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Thu. Jan. 28, 2010 7:07 am

Agree with Capecoaler, mouse is not enought to get a handfed going, a mouse is composed of a small lunch bag, a handful of shredded paper and a small amount of small pieces of "cowboy" charcoal. Works super with rice.You need a continous heat source get pieces of nut/pea up to it's ignition temp of XXX F or more degees.