Since I use an auto temp controller (ATC) attached to one vent and the other two 100% closed on the WSM ....and since fire tends to burn towards the O2 coming from the fan... I assemble the fire by putting unlit in a moon shape placing wood between charcoal layers and a little more on top for good measure. Then I put about 2/3 of a chimney of lit in the open space formed by the moon on the opposite side of the ring from the fan. I find I get a more even burn that I don't have to poke at this way vs putting lit on top of unlit either in the center or scattered over all the unlit per Mr Minion. I beleive the Minion Method would work great using vents to control O2 because the fire would burn towards the vents. This picture is an example of the fire I built this AM for the Renowned Mr Brown I just put on. What are your thoughts on building a fire, have you had similar experiences?