How much fuel?

[bbq_esq]

Let’s say you want to sear something hot and fast, two zone fire. How much charcoal/lump are you using? Full chimney? Up to the top of the divider? Still getting the hang of this beast (XL) and I botched some tenderloins tonight by not getting it hot enough to sear.

[RonB]

I turn the large Weber chimney upside down, fill it, light it, and let the coals get red hot. Then I place a grate on the chimney, (I bought a 13" grate just for this), and sear over the chimney. So - just enough charcoal to fill the bottom of the chimney.

[Jfrosty27]

+1. I do the same thing.

[Uncle Bob]

I use the Weber half chimney, or I think it's about half of the standard height one. I use lump exclusively, and dump the fully lit chimney on top of the residual from the last cook. That gives me a rip roarin' coal bed that sears very well. And if I want to amp that up I've got a small, hand held blower that I can charge it up with.

[bbq_esq]

What are you cooking on?

[Uncle Bob]

For this type of cook I use a Spider Grills Huntsman, similar configuration to a Weber kettle in the broad sense. I have a Kick Ash style basket installed with a center divider panel, so basically have fire under half the grate area.......typical two zone configuration.