1. Kingsford Matchlight Charcoal: I am mainly a "Griller" in which it lights-up in around 20 minutes and when fully-lit no fowl aftertaste . Also, no Chimney is necessary.
2 SlowNSear Plus: Easy set-up in using both lump and briquette charcoal.
3. Weber Tongs: Sturdy and well-made.
Matchlight?
?? Don't say that man. lol. 20 minutes? It takes me less time to get my non-fluid soaked briquettes ready to cook. Chimney should be #1 answer to this question for every person. Sorry my man.
This list is different for a couple of different situations. One list is the top 3 things someone needs when they get a Kettle.
1. Chimney. I have both the large and small Weber chimneys. Gotta have them.
2. Char Baskets
3. Good set of heavy gauge, stainless steel, box framed tongs, that have flat inside surface heads on them. This set of tongs is for charcoal, char basket, and grate use only. Get a set that is strong enough to lift an entire 22" grate with one hand with them. They never touch food, only used for grill and charcoal management. Make sure they are hinged at the back and not just the bent over clamshell style crap tongs you see in most BBQ grilling tool sets. I have a set of indestructible tongs just like I described that I received as a wedding gift for my first marriage in 2000. So, here soon the tongs will be old enough to drink. Since that time I have been searching for the holy grail of tongs to replace them so that I'm not left without if these disappear. They stay hanging on the grill at all times and I never wash them because they never touch food.
Those are the necessities. Tier 2 of necessities:
1. Some form of instant read or multiple probe thermometer
2. Heavy leather gloves
3. Some form of propane assist to start your chimney. I have a 1999 model SS Performer so I have the gas assist. But, prior to that I used the side burner on my Genesis to light all my chimneys. For folks that have asked my assistance in getting started in the Kettle world, if those two options aren't available, I suggest a small Coleman camp burner to use for starting chimneys.
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Bottle-Propane-Stove-Green/dp/B0009PUR5E/ref=sxin_7_ac_d_pm?ac_md=2-1-QmV0d2VlbiAkMzAgYW5kICQxMDA%3D-ac_d_pm&crid=22XPRVBX9W126&cv_ct_cx=camp+burner&dchild=1&keywords=camp+burner&pd_rd_i=B0009PUR5E&pd_rd_r=61c087f8-f4b7-4529-b1ee-fbd956d65e8f&pd_rd_w=crdgY&pd_rd_wg=g7Qyi&pf_rd_p=7f921fd8-4a45-4dc1-82ec-573bec7d35f6&pf_rd_r=FBZFVXW17G21KXKM1BFZ&psc=1&qid=1598539254&sprefix=camp+bur%2Caps%2C197&sr=1-2-22d05c05-1231-4126-b7c4-3e7a9c0027d0To me this list of 6 things should actually be a starter kit. People that aren't using these items will not have as easy of a time using charcoal as they could be.