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or does it have to burn for a little while before adding it in? i know when you use lighter fluid you have to let it burn off but am not sure about just adding it in
pandemonium,
when i start out I use charcoal and lighter fluid and let it cook down as if I were using it as a bbq grill, when they turn white I toss in my wood. When the wood and the rest of the coals cook down i toss in a few more hand fulls of charcoal to keep my temp set.
Yes you can as long as it isn't matchlight. The minion method uses the heat from lit charcoal spreading to unlit charcoal to extend the burn time. Basically the same result as adding charcoal. Of course it works better with lump charcoal but I've done it with brikets before and no problems.
Some folks can taste the charcoal lighting up on their finished food. As the unlits start to burn, they give off a heavy, sort of acrid smell. I can't taste it myself. To me, that means the differance between adding lits or unlits is very subtle, therefore I think you can safely try it both ways without ruining your meal. If you notice a differance, go with the way you prefer.
Only other thing I would recommend is don't use crumpled up newspaper to light the chimney. You'll have little bits of black ash floating everywhere. I take about 3 paper towels, drizzle a little bit of cooking oil on them (it doesn't take much), wad them up and place them in the bottom of the chimney lighter. Light it in a couple of places and you're set
I light my chimney(s) on my weber kettle throughout the length of the smoke. Usually have to add one every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. And to help get rid of mess I just tear a layer of an empty charcoal bag
- bags usually have 3 layers of paper, and you can tear off one layer at a time. You only need two pieces that wad up and fit under the chimney without overcrowding it. Keeps my recycling from filling up with charcoal bags!
I used to start my fire with briquets, but I don't even do that anymore. Anyway, for me it's all lump - and in yesterday's smoke, I didn't even add any of that! I started with a basker of lump with some hickory chunks, and as that burned I added splits of maple and cherry.
Tip for those who have Not used a Charcoal Chimney Yet.
You are in for a treat.
1. They will work way better than you think they will.
2. They will work way faster than you think they will. Faster even than those petroleum impregnated briquettes.
3. They need far less paper to light the charcoal than you think they will.
4. They will become more indispensable to you than you think they will.
A good thing.
5. They are better for the environment due to the non-use of petroleum products to light your fire.
6. I believe that the Chimneys are way safer than using a highly flammible liquid to light a fire.
7. Light a pile of coals with lighter fluid and the edges of only some of the briquettes get white and slowly start to burn before the fluid goes out. Use a Charcoal chimney and all the briquettes start to burn quickly and hotly. Every briquette will be ready to go. You won't have some totally ready and some still black and cold to the touch.
8. Knowing the above information you really have no excuse for not buying one. Even the stainless steel good one is quite cheap.