Charcoal Starter Chimneys: Char-Broil Half Time vs. Weber Compact

[l'inferno]

Thanks as always for the informative post fzxdoc

I just received my Weber compact last week. The starter came a little deformed which was not a big deal and the guys from Firecraft took off the $4.99 shipping which was fine by me. I got the starter to use with the Smokey Joe and Jumbo Joe and basically to have something small I can keep in a bin in the back of the car.
After reading your post, I look back and think the performance of the Weber starter was definitely underwhelming. The regular size is more efficient. I wonder if I should have placed the starter on the grill grate as opposed to the charcoal grate to aid in air flow. We'll see what happens next time. Thank you.

[Spinaker]

fzxdoc would you say there is a difference in quality between the weber and the Char broil? Just curious. Great writeup. And useful test. Perfect for the pit.

[fzxdoc]

They both seem pretty sturdy, Spinaker . Time will tell of course, but right now I'd say it's a toss up.

Kathryn

[jbeck1986]

fzxdoc you like the smaller chimney for pouring charcoal in the PBC right? The full size chimney is terrible for pouring charcoal in into the PBC.

So I decided try my grill grate lifter and have had great success with just pouring the charcoal basket outside of the PBC and lifting and dropping it in. I even use it half way through the cook to rotate the charcoal basket if one side is not staying lit as well as the other.

I bought it from Home Depot. This is the same one with a different color and a Big Green Egg logo. There identical though.

[fzxdoc]

This is a really cool accessory, Guest. I'm going to look for one. Thanks.

Kathryn

[FireMan]

Oh, no! Another day, another feed of MCS!

[Northside Brian]

Something just occured to me while looking at the pictures of your side by side test. With the narrow chimney taking so much longer for the top coals to ash over compared to the wider one, wouldnt the bottom coals be much more burnt vs the wider chimeny? Could that have an effect on starting temps, cook times, etc...especially on a PBC where you dont add more charcoal?

[fzxdoc]

Northside Brian , I've used the Char Broil Half Time a few times now on the PBC, and can't tell any difference in how it affects my lighting technique compared to the zillions of times I used the Weber compact in the past. I think you'd like either product, but I like the faster response of the Char Broil.

Kathryn

[fzxdoc]

I just found another advantage to the CharBroil Half Time Chimney vs. the Weber Compact. Because the CharBroil is wider than the Weber, there's more real estate for searing off steaks with a grate placed on the chimney. I did it last weekend (actually I used both chimneys because I was searing 6 steaks) and really liked the wider footprint and greater stability from the Char Broil.

Kathryn

[Potkettleblack]

Yeah, I was gonna theorize that it would make a nice portable grill with a grill grate or two on the top of it.

[Northside Brian]

I am actually going to try doing my thinner flat iron steaks this way tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[fzxdoc]

Let us know how they turn out, Northside Brian . Have fun with that short cook.

[JohnF]

Got one coming, will be here Wednesday from Amazon for $10.63 including Tax and prime shipping. Thank you Kathryn.

[Huskee]

Great minds, me too

[DWCowles]

fzxdoc I failed to mention that I did ordered the half chimney for the PBC and it work great. Thanks for the tip

[Huskee]

Hmm, I missed this back when you posted it fzxdoc, great test and thank you, how cool! As chance has it, I ordered one of the half times yesterday, I should have it Weds. I HATE Weber's funnel-shaped grate inside their chimneys, although I do us eit upside down when I need a smaller load of coals and the downward funnel holds a lighter cube nicely, but I still wish it was flat. I theorize the thin stamped-hole sheet grate in the CharBroil wont last nearly as long though. (I had a full sized chimney years ago with that type of grate and it didn't last but only 2 or 3 years seems like). I too like the idea of more vent slats. On a breezy day it only help light the coals faster, vs requiring the upward draw from only lower holes.

[cgrover60]

Great info. Not to muddy the waters but has anyone tried the PBC charcoal chimney starter?

http://www.pitbarrelcooker.com/product/pbc-chimney-starter/

[Jerod Broussard]

Interesting.

[Flavorsavor]

Looks like I'll be drilling a ton of holes in my weber chimney starter...

[fzxdoc]

Better figure a way to increase the diameter while you're at it! Just kidding. Let us know how it works out for you.

Kathryn

[TBoneJack]

Just FYI, this charcoal starter gets a lot of negative reviews on Amazon. Build construction and longevity are the main complaints. 32% of reviewers gave it 3 stars or less. 17% gave it 1 star.

[fzxdoc]

Good to know, TBoneJack . My Char-Broil Half Time is still going strong after nearly 2 years. No rust, no weakening at seams or joins. I store it inside my PBC between cooks.

Kathryn

[fzxdoc]

Wow, Thunder77 , that's pretty poor performance for the Half Time. Maybe I got the only good one they made!!!

Kathryn

[Thunder77]

Yes, I was surprised too. I didn't leave it out, either. At least it wasn't that expensive.

[fzxdoc]

Yeah, Thunder77 , as MCS goes, it's a very small hit. Hope you have better luck with your next chimney.

K.

[Rsheele]

as someone about to dive into charcoal I did like the side by side comparison. I'm gathering a ton of information.