I use charcoal lighter a lot. Its just kerosene, right? Sometimes I just use the Performer. I almost always use a chimney. I will only use paper if that is all I have. I don't like the blowing ashes and I definitely won't start with paper over the kettle. Paper starts are smokey. Most times I will put briquettes in the chimney and coat with starter trying not to use so much as to cause it to drip out the bottom and fire it off right away. Flames consume most of the smoke at least for the initial start. First coals to start are the ones on top. When the starter fire dies out I can fire it with the Performer. It starts bottom coals first. The fuller the chimney the more smokey the start. You could start multiple half chimneys if you were where smoke was a concern, but only the first could use the Performer for gas assist if you were cooking on it. Only smell I like is select hardwood chunks smoldering. If you use lighter add it away from the pit or make darn sure you burn it off. Worst thing you can do is drip it into the bottom of the pit and have it soak into ashes only to bake out as you are cooking your food. But I am preaching to the choir on that. That's probably why the cubes are so popular. Never have tried them. I probably should get some.They don't drip wax, do they?