Chimney starter question

[Markus2982]

Random question that may be a little silly. I found that the firebox opening on my offset smoker is just a little too small for me to set my chimney starter in. I have read people staying you shouldn't put coals in the cook chamber so it would seem the starter in there is out also.

Where do you all put your chimney to start it up? Is what I read wrong on the cook chamber?

 

[sawhorseray]

You don't want coal dust on the grill of your cook chamber Markus, start it up on the Weber. RAY

 

[chopsaw]

, start it up on the Weber.

Yup , when I had my offset , I had an old kettle that was used only for starting charcoal , burning wood down to coals to feed the firebox .

 

[SmokyMose]

Same as above, I set it on the grill of the Weber kettle. If I'm wanting to dump it in a Vortex in the kettle, I start it on my "Baby Weber".

 

[Markus2982]

Thanks all. My kettle is rusted out so we got rid of it. Will have to find another solution.

 

[Brokenhandle]

I use the side burner on our gas grill, it's the only thing it gets used for.

Ryan

 

[SmokinGame]

I have a fire pit about 20 feet from the smoker. Brick. No wood. Great place for me.

 

[gmc2003]

On a rock, ground, cement pad anything that isn't flammable will do.

Chris

 

[thirdeye]

I've never used a chimney starter in my life. On my small cookers I use a MAPpro gas torch ^^, and on my bigger pits I use a propane weed burner. For a smoking fire I only light one spot and allow the fire to spread on it's own finding small pieces of flavor wood or flavor pellets over the next 10, 12, or more hours. for a grilling fire I light 3 spots. I also can use either torch to sanitize/sterilize (by fire) my grates.

 

[jcam222]

For starting my charcoal cabinet I set my chimney on my Kamado grill grate. Once burned down I pour them on top of the basket of my lump charcoal and wood chunks.