PBC and no charcoal chimney!!! What to do.

[MarkN]

Anyone have recommendations for starting charcoal for a PBC when you don't have a charcoal chimney?

Traveled to my son's for Thanksgiving and brought along my PBC to smoke the turkey. Once I got there, I realized I forgot my chimney. My son doesn't have one. So this week I shopped around, even to a BBQ Supply store that sells PBC's, and none to be found. Ordered one from Amazon to be delivered today by 9:00PM today and they are a no show. I have some ideas but would welcome input from someone who has actually done something like this before.

[STEbbq]

Newspaper or computer paper and matches? Weed burner?

[Sid P]

Tell us where you are, and maybe there’s a Pit member nearby that can help.

[smokenoob]

Ace hardware?

[MarkN]

Ace Hardware and Home Depot had only the full size chimneys.

[Finster]

MarkN
A small one is more convenient, but a large one will still do the job..

[MarkN]

Minneapolis.

Lighting the charcoal is not my concern. The problem is the recommended method is to put 40 briquettes in the chimney and when ready, dump them into the basket at the bottom of the barrel. Without a chimney I'm thinking I'll have to form a little pyramid over the lighter cubes in the center of the basket with the remainder around the outside. When ready, somehow mix the lit briquettes with the unlit ones. I'm hoping there is a better way.

[au4stree]

I was in the same predicament and just got the coals lit the best way a could. When they were similarly lit I spread them out and went to cooking. It worked out. I used paper towel with olive oil and a match. Just scattered the paper around the coal bed.

[jfmorris]

I would light it the way I do m kamado, and just put a couple of starter cubes in the middle of that pile of charcoal, let it get going good, then put the lid on until it reaches temp. I never use a chimney with my kamado, for whatever reason.

[MarkN]

That sounds close to what I was thinking, without actually mixing/spreading as I would do with a chimney. Unless I hear something better, that's probably what I will do.

[DennyWoo]

I use a full size chimney for my PBC. Never had an issue with it.

[briano52]

Before they sold commercial chimneys, I made them out of coffee cans. Use a can opener to take off both ends. Use a piercing type of can opener to make air holes around the bottom. Fill with charcoal over some lit wax type of fire starters or small pieces of wax type fireplace logs and you are in business. Might take two loads or get one can going hot and then put more briquets on top. The can will not have a handle so use some sturdy tongs or long handles channel lock pliers to move the hot can. Also, because there is no bottom, you need to light the starter in the cooker and pull the can off when the coals get going. The store-bought chimney with an insulated handle and bottom is a better device but the coffee can chimney works in a pinch and is great for the frugal minded pitmaster. Of course, if you're a Keurig coffee maker person, you are going to have to hunt up big can.

[texastweeter]

I replied before reading yours, lol. Identical to mine, minus the screws.

[Donw]

+1 Heck, I only bought a chimney for the first time just in the past two years. A coffee can and a pair of channel locks always got the job done before.

[Simple_man]

I might have to make one of these just to be cool

[texastweeter]

Metal coffee tin with both ends cut out. Punch holes in the bottom around the lip with a punch style can opener. Shoot a couple long screws through from the sides in a ring around it midway up to hold the charcoal up off the newspaper. That and some long handle pliers have done the trick for me many a time.

[MarkN]

Successful launch. With no available charcoal chimneys (of any size) and no coffee cans, I went with three Lighter Cubes in the center of the basket under a pile of charcoal. All went well and the turkey is hangin'. Thanks to all who offered suggestions!


Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[fzxdoc]

Occam's Razor: simple is best. Nice job.

K.

[MarkN]

All's well that ends well.


Juicy with just the right amount of smokiness.

[Sid P]

Looks good from here. Glad it worked out!

[fzxdoc]

Glad to see that it all worked out for you, Mark. your bird looks yummy.

Kathryn