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Author Topic: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?  (Read 5620 times)

VAis4BBQers

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How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« on: March 18, 2016, 09:37:56 AM »
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.
Crate n Barrel Grass Green - Target Copper - Blue OTG - 14 & 18 WSM

Metal Mike

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2016, 10:10:29 AM »
Performer w/ gas assist...
but I find I'm using the SnS more than baskets these days...
...BOBBING FOR COALS IN MY KETTLE

MikeRocksTheRed

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2016, 10:15:30 AM »
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.
62-68 Avocado BAR-B-Q Kettle, Red ER SS Performer, Green DA SS Performer, Black EE three wheeler, 1 SJS, 1 Homer Simpson SJS,  AT Black 26er, 82 Kettle Gasser Deluxe, "A" code 18.5 MBH, M Code Tuck-n-Carry, P Code Go Anywhere, 2015 RANCH FREAKING KETTLE!!!!!!

VAis4BBQers

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2016, 10:17:23 AM »
Thanks for the options. I may just use the old torch.
Crate n Barrel Grass Green - Target Copper - Blue OTG - 14 & 18 WSM

TheDude

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2016, 10:55:44 AM »
Lighter cube and a chimney. I have a dedicated pair of charcoal tongs, to pick up the runaways.
Still need a 22” yellow

addicted-to-smoke

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2016, 02:04:58 PM »
NO such quaint gadgets needed, for I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en1uwIzI3SE
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

MacEggs

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crowderjd

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2016, 12:07:30 PM »
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.
Chasing the impossibles: Westerner, Custom, Meat Cut!

Big Dawg

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2016, 01:49:11 PM »
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
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addicted-to-smoke

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2016, 05:20:47 PM »
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. 8)

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.)
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch

Travis

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2016, 05:40:57 PM »
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

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2016, 11:55:45 PM »
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

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2016, 05:21:16 AM »

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

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2016, 07:55:24 AM »
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. 8)

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.
62-68 Avocado BAR-B-Q Kettle, Red ER SS Performer, Green DA SS Performer, Black EE three wheeler, 1 SJS, 1 Homer Simpson SJS,  AT Black 26er, 82 Kettle Gasser Deluxe, "A" code 18.5 MBH, M Code Tuck-n-Carry, P Code Go Anywhere, 2015 RANCH FREAKING KETTLE!!!!!!

addicted-to-smoke

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Re: How do yall light your charcoal baskets?
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2016, 09:00:54 AM »
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.
It's the iconic symbol for the backyard. It's family/friends, food and fun. What more do you need to feel everything [is] going to be all right. As long as we can still have a BBQ in our backyard, the world seems a bit of a better place. At least for that moment. -reillyranch