I exclusively use a Performer, but what I don't like is the mess. I use my leftover charcoal from the last time and dump it in my chimney. I always get my hands really dirty, which isn't such a bad thing except I get the door hand dirty going inside to the sink.
Get a decent pair of extra tongs with a slightly wider head.
I do all my handling of grates, coal baskets and unlit charcoal with the tongs. Keeps the hands clean.
This, so very much this. I have a set of very heavy gauge stainless steel tongs that I consider the very being of my bbq and grilling mojo.
My rigs are both the performer platinum and the Genesis 330.
I love my performer and will use it about 75% of the time. As for startup... use my tongs to lift grill off of the performer and set aside. Shake out the two baskets of any ash and pull them with the tongs and set aside. Pull charcoal grate with tongs and set aside. Quick scrape of the kettle sides with grill brush and use the sweeper to clear ash into ash bin. Replace coal grate, then coal baskets. Fill baskets with charcoal and lite starter. I don't even use a chimney anymore, just lite em up in the baskets. Whole process from opening kettle to coals ready takes roughly 12 to 15 minutes.
The Genesis comes in for occasional quick cooks and is almost exclusively used as a finisher when I'm smoking. A typical smoke day for me starts with pork butt on kettle for two hours in smoke at 250. Then the butt gets pulled and placed in the Genesis (far left single burner on enough to keep 250 temp, with meat on the far right). Then 2 more baskets of coals get started and the 3 racks of ribs go on the kettle for 2 hours, then they join the butt in the Genesis. Finally the 20-30 wings go on the kettle with their own 2 baskets of fresh coals for 2 hours and will also join their pork friends in the Genesis on the upper rack. Usually by then the pork butt has had 6 hours, the ribs have had 4, and it's all ready to go.
I have a hose attached for my performer starter and am currently just hooking it up to the Genesis tank for starts. I'm going to buy a 5lb tank that will be exclusive for my performer and sit on the bottom rack next to the charcoal bin, or maybe even in the bottom of the bin.
So, my answer is both, but I know that may not be for everyone. For me standing between those two redheads is one of my very favorite sanctuaries.