How do yall light your charcoal baskets?

[VAis4BBQers]

I was wondering what everyone's technique was when it came to lighting the charcoal baskets for those that use them.

I typically use a chimney. But, just seems too tedious to move the coals over to the baskets from the chimney with out missing a few coals or maybe lighting too many.

[Metal Mike]

Performer w/ gas assist...
but I find I'm using the SnS more than baskets these days...

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I usually use my gas assist with a chimney then dump.  I've used the gas assist with the baskets which works fine, but I think it take longer than the chimney does.

[VAis4BBQers]

Thanks for the options. I may just use the old torch.

[TheDude]

Lighter cube and a chimney. I have a dedicated pair of charcoal tongs, to pick up the runaways.

[addicted-to-smoke]

NO such quaint gadgets needed, for I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en1uwIzI3SE

[MacEggs]

Sometimes I use Doritos ....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/used-some-doritos-to-get-charcoal-going/

[crowderjd]

Weber lighter cubes with Weber chimney are a winning combo.  I think they get coals going faster than using charcoal baskets and the gas assist on my performer.

[Big Dawg]

Weber lighter cubes with Weber chimney are a winning combo.  I think they get coals going faster than using charcoal baskets and the gas assist on my performer.

Ditto.





BD

[addicted-to-smoke]

Weber lighter cubes with Weber chimney are a winning combo.  I think they get coals going faster than using charcoal baskets and the gas assist on my performer.

Ditto.

That's why I use my Weber chimney with the gas assist.

After about a year or so of doing this I noticed the grate (bought new in '13) had developed a droop with bent tines. So I flipped it over and a year later it's level again. 

The real challenge is with my '90s 26-er. Its charcoal grate is pretty bad, almost U-shaped, and those charcoal grates have a double-reinforced design. It's like the first owner always cooked with 3 chimney's worth of heat. I flipped it over a few times but that puts the charcoal only about 4-5" from the cook grate (or seems to, since the cook grate is positioned fairly low on those models.)

[Travis]

Sometimes I use Doritos ....

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/used-some-doritos-to-get-charcoal-going/

I use Weber chimney and cubes too. Fritos work very well also. I always have a bag in the camper as backup.

[MeatAndPotatos]

I got a blow torch with ~4ft hose attachment for the head. The tank hangs from my performer table. Works better on lump, so when using briquettes I sprinkle some lump on top.

[Bustin Butt]

Weber lighter cubes with Weber chimney are a winning combo.  I think they get coals going faster than using charcoal baskets and the gas assist on my performer.

Ditto.





BD

Ditto


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[MikeRocksTheRed]

Weber lighter cubes with Weber chimney are a winning combo.  I think they get coals going faster than using charcoal baskets and the gas assist on my performer.

Ditto.

That's why I use my Weber chimney with the gas assist.

After about a year or so of doing this I noticed the grate (bought new in '13) had developed a droop with bent tines. So I flipped it over and a year later it's level again. 

The real challenge is with my '90s 26-er. Its charcoal grate is pretty bad, almost U-shaped, and those charcoal grates have a double-reinforced design. It's like the first owner always cooked with 3 chimney's worth of heat. I flipped it over a few times but that puts the charcoal only about 4-5" from the cook grate (or seems to, since the cook grate is positioned fairly low on those models.)

Interesting....my charcoal grate has a nice sag to it as well.  I thought it was from my vortex but now that I'm thinking more about it, I do think its from the gas assist and roaring chimneys.  I'll have to try flipping my grate over when getting my chimney going to see if that levels things out.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Yeah it works fine on a 22's charcoal grate but on the 26 those 2 support rods then become like domes when upside down (they aren't flat, but U-shaped below when new.)

The other thing I try to do Mike is position the grate so that the flame shoots mostly between 2 of the rods. Otherwise you'll for SURE get bent and squiggly rods as the metal tries to get the hell away from the flame.