Question about the charcoal chimney

Ladeback69

I only use a chimney when I use my WSM and place it on the middle section when it is setting off to the side of the bottom of the smoker.  A chimney is not necessary to be used with the egg when lighting it, because it seems to draw just like a large chimney starter.

@Judy Mayberry, have you tried any other ways to light your egg mentioned above?  I use starter sticks or an EVOO paper towel.

westernbbq

I set chimney starter on my concrete patio and let er rip with a weber starter cube.  Using welding gloves i lift it up. Shake it upright over the loaded bge firebox and then pour lit charcoal in.    

I do have an electric starter, ive burned throught a looftlighter and i keep going back to the chimney starter.   Simple, reliable, no external fuels to go buy.  Weber cubes are convenient but i use newspaper at times as well.  

I never set chimney starter inside the egg tho

Codfish

Like your suggestions, very inventive.

Judy Mayberry

@westernbbq: Do you put the Weber cube in the top layer, or down at the bottom when you are loading the charcoal (flames would come up from the bottom with newspaper)?

Mikee

On my small I remove the cooking grate and clean the existing lump of ash. If I have to totally clean the ashes in the bottom of the fire box, then I remove the lump and fire grate and remove the ash and tiny pieces by hand or with the shop vac. Put the fire grate back in and place some lump back in. Load up the chimney starter with what I think it needs for the cook. Place that on the lump and light the newspaper. It starts the lump both in the chimney starter and the lump under it. The bottom vent is fully open and I will pull the dome down somewhat; burnt the handle a few years ago. I let the lump in the chimney burn maybe 10 minutes. That lump is typically burning clean and is mostly red. I shake the chimney over the lump in the firebox incase there are small pieces that may fall out. Dump that load and I am ready to cook within minutes,

blind99

@Vegas Eggus
cubs fans are used to being pitied, or even mocked.  i'll take agreement as a high compliment!

Vegas Eggus

blind99 said:

@Vegas Eggus
cubs fans are used to being pitied, or even mocked.  i'll take agreement as a high compliment!

You have no idea how high a compliment. Cardinals fan here. 

YukonRon

@blind99 great year for the Cubs. 

westernbbq

Judy Mayberry said:

@westernbbq: Do you put the Weber cube in the top layer, or down at the bottom when you are loading the charcoal (flames would come up from the bottom with newspaper)?

underneath, always.  Fast start and easy to manage a fire