When to use charcoal baskets?

[jcnaz]

I ran across this short article about using/not using charcoal baskets. Good information, especially for folks that are new to the Weber Kettle world.

http://dadcooksdinner.com/2015/08/when-to-use-charcoal-baskets-and-when-to-skip-them.html/#comment-11989

[1911Ron]

Pretty fair assessment, thanks for sharing!

[Texmech]

I pretty much use mine all the time, but agree with his suggestions when not to. I did see something on a You Tube cooking demo about avoiding putting hot coals from a chimney starter directly against the kettle as it my damage the finish, but the unlit coals that start burning from the chimney starter hot coals will not get hot enough to do any kettle finish damage. Not sure if that is true.

[MacEggs]

When I am not employing the snake / fuse method, I use baskets.
And even that can be done using baskets.

[huntergreen]

I pretty much use mine all the time, but agree with his suggestions when not to. I did see something on a You Tube cooking demo about avoiding putting hot coals from a chimney starter directly against the kettle as it my damage the finish, but the unlit coals that start burning from the chimney starter hot coals will not get hot enough to do any kettle finish damage. Not sure if that is true.

agree completely. hot coals from a starter hasnt damaged the finish on my 20 y/o green master touch.