Sometime in the last year, I read that a WKC member utilized a propane torch to light his chimney. Whoever it was, thank you. I finally got around to trying this method. Wow. Lighting time using the torch was approximately 1 minute or less. The briquettes were fully ashed and ready to use in 12 - 13 minutes. Really fast and easy. I used KB Competition tonight, but have used this method 4 or 5 times now with standard KB with the same results. Much faster lighting than lighting with newspaper and virtually no smoke.
With tin snips, I cut and removed one tab on the lower part of the chimney.
This allows for the torch to be inserted into the chimney.
Once I see a small bit of smoke, I rotate and move the torch so the flame ignites several areas. After roughly 1 minute, I extinguish the torch and place the chimney on an old beater SJ. I find this helps speed the lighting as it protects the chimney from the wind and reflects additional heat into the chimney. After 9 minutes, I shake the chimney just like you flip pancakes in a pan. It redistributes the briquettes and speeds the lighting even more.
These are the briquettes after 12-13 minutes in the chimney tonight.
The ribeye cap steaks were amazing BTW.
@Thrillho - You might try this method as it be another way to cut back on the smoke your neighbor was complaining about.