I thought I'd start a thread about using a charcoal chimney for those unfamiliar with them. Here I cover the basics, how to start one, how long it takes to light, etc.
I use a standard Weber chimney, not because I'm a Weber fanboy but because they are arguably the most user friendly ones on the market, and very affordable. Any chimney will do, I also have a cheaper Kmart one. It is not as user friendly, but it does work just fine.
Here I'm using a full load, which last time I counted was about 82 briquets when just dumping them in from the bag. Figure 80-90 average, using Kingsford blue bag (original). Don't use match light. Ever.
To start you can use a lighter cube if you want, or you can use paper. Any paper. Many people use newspaper, I've used old buyer's guide papers, junk mail, etc.
Lately I've switched to using old Kingsford bags, since I have plenty. They are 3 layers of paper. I rip off a decent sized chunk as shown here.
Then I'll separate the 3 layers and form loose balls.
Next, just shove it up under the bottom part of the chimney. Do this before you add the charcoal.
DO NOT pack it tight. It lights better if it's a loose ball.
You can use anything you want to light the paper. I suspect most people will use a long lighter, which is what I also use. Here' I'm using a propane torch I keep nearby my smoker. Just light through the bottom holes, light a couple different spots around the perimeter for faster takeoff.
Make sure you set the chimney on a flame-proof surface. here I'm using an old cabinet smoker I keep nearby my big smoker. You can use your grill. You can use your driveway. Just be safe whatever you do!
After a couple minutes when the paper is lighting, it's a grey smoke mess.
This is after 5 minutes, the paper is well lit and beginning to light the charcoal. The smoke becomes blue as the charcoal is lighting.
Here is 10 minutes after lighting. Still blue smoke. The coals are lit up to about the bottom third or half, as you can see from the holes. Wait until the blue smoke stops before using. This will be your signal!
Here is 15 min after lighting. Blue smoke gone. You can see heat waves coming off the top (but not in this picture). There will also be some flames poking up. Once the blue smoke stops your coals are ready!
Don't wait until the coals are completely "ashed over" or all grey when looking into the chimney, this wastes time and BTUs up into the air that are better spent warming up your grill or smoker. Use this rule for when you have a pile in your grill, but not for chimneys.
Watch for the end of the blue smoke. As you can see in this pic, half of the coals ashed over (from the bottom of the chimney), but the top half aren't quite. It's ok, they're ready!
Caution: most regular sized grills do not need a full chimney. Usually only larger smokers need this much. A standard Weber grill is best setup in the Minion or snake/fuse method for long cooks. Or for a shorter bruger or steak cook, use maybe 15-20 coals. This is discussed at length in other threads.
I hope this helps!
I use a standard Weber chimney, not because I'm a Weber fanboy but because they are arguably the most user friendly ones on the market, and very affordable. Any chimney will do, I also have a cheaper Kmart one. It is not as user friendly, but it does work just fine.
Here I'm using a full load, which last time I counted was about 82 briquets when just dumping them in from the bag. Figure 80-90 average, using Kingsford blue bag (original). Don't use match light. Ever.
To start you can use a lighter cube if you want, or you can use paper. Any paper. Many people use newspaper, I've used old buyer's guide papers, junk mail, etc.
Lately I've switched to using old Kingsford bags, since I have plenty. They are 3 layers of paper. I rip off a decent sized chunk as shown here.
Then I'll separate the 3 layers and form loose balls.
Next, just shove it up under the bottom part of the chimney. Do this before you add the charcoal.
DO NOT pack it tight. It lights better if it's a loose ball.
You can use anything you want to light the paper. I suspect most people will use a long lighter, which is what I also use. Here' I'm using a propane torch I keep nearby my smoker. Just light through the bottom holes, light a couple different spots around the perimeter for faster takeoff.
Make sure you set the chimney on a flame-proof surface. here I'm using an old cabinet smoker I keep nearby my big smoker. You can use your grill. You can use your driveway. Just be safe whatever you do!
After a couple minutes when the paper is lighting, it's a grey smoke mess.
This is after 5 minutes, the paper is well lit and beginning to light the charcoal. The smoke becomes blue as the charcoal is lighting.
Here is 10 minutes after lighting. Still blue smoke. The coals are lit up to about the bottom third or half, as you can see from the holes. Wait until the blue smoke stops before using. This will be your signal!
Here is 15 min after lighting. Blue smoke gone. You can see heat waves coming off the top (but not in this picture). There will also be some flames poking up. Once the blue smoke stops your coals are ready!
Don't wait until the coals are completely "ashed over" or all grey when looking into the chimney, this wastes time and BTUs up into the air that are better spent warming up your grill or smoker. Use this rule for when you have a pile in your grill, but not for chimneys.
Watch for the end of the blue smoke. As you can see in this pic, half of the coals ashed over (from the bottom of the chimney), but the top half aren't quite. It's ok, they're ready!
Caution: most regular sized grills do not need a full chimney. Usually only larger smokers need this much. A standard Weber grill is best setup in the Minion or snake/fuse method for long cooks. Or for a shorter bruger or steak cook, use maybe 15-20 coals. This is discussed at length in other threads.
I hope this helps!
j/k Actually I have also put a little veggie oil on the bags when lighting them just in case it is windy. I have noticed that the flame doesn't go out. I will have to try the sterno thought, that sounds cheaper than fireplace starters and stuff. Nice post.
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