The Jim Minion method was actually for a WSM.......a few (like 8~10) on top of a whole basket of unlit & then a FINELY tuned flow of air to allow the burn to run low thru the whole pile over many hours.....
you can do something akin to that on a kettle, but most folks will start at one end of a large half moon configuration & it just doesn't quite work the same unless you're really careful with the airflow.....
Here's my own reasoning as to why :
The half moon shape creates a large area of fuel at the middle point.....ripe for the burn to increase a lot = a temp spike, by a lot, most likely.....
To contrast, the chain or "snake" has only a small area of fuel available at any one time.....it can speed up if the vents are way open, but it can only really catch fire on so many coals at once.......usually 4 to about 7 or 8 at most.....in other words, it relies on available fuel much more than available air, while the larger coal pack of a more Minion style perhaps will lean more towards available air than fuel...............the air has more effect, plain & simple.....
Now, if some type of containment basket is used, it would seem to be easier to control a Minion style burn, I would think......let's ask the big dogs :
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/ranch-kettle-methods/msg100703/#msg100703Look at Saxart's setups & questions, BBQMiller's & Hogsy / Golly's setups for the Ranch kettles......contained baskets for Minions, while the loose but thick packs didn't seem to work quite as well....OK, but not as well......
Now, the Weber baskets, at least the more solid sheet metal type
can also have a little of an airflow issue at lower heats because enough of the coals are blocked off from a good easy airflow to slow things to a crawl & then you have problems going the other way....too low.....
A good possibility might be the Weber WIRE baskets, which I think are still available, & are of a much more open design.............
Bricks are another idea, but still there you're maybe getting too much fuel lined up to burn.....
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Then, there's free-form :
These are done with no baskets, unlit coals loaded in & 10 or so lit set in at the TOP of the pile against the wall of the kettle.......
the burn runs FROM the farthest point away from the vents TOWARD the bottom, or where the airflow is coming from....I learned this from the large stickburner folks....saying to always burn back towards the intake....
Like this, sort of....only fewer lit as this was for a higher heat chicken & bunny cookup....