Where do you put the chimney?

[bamakettles]

@Big Dawg When I began experimenting with kamados I learned that all charcoal doesn't have to be lit and flaming hot at once.  I enjoy building the fire as much as cooking... Different methods of cooking require different amounts of heat and I find it interesting to start a fire on one side of a slow n sear or in the middle of a pile depending on the type of grill or setup of the Summit or kettle.  So, I usually use my FlameKing torch and refillable cylinders which takes about 15-25 seconds to get some coals lit, then adjust vents to get desired results, bringing temps up slowly.  I really don't enjoy carrying a fully lit chimney of coals or pouring them out while on my deck.  It was a stressful part for me so I eliminated it.


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I get what you're saying.  I've never had a Kamado.  Also, it may make a difference that I only use the small Weber Chimney.  So I will usually take one load and dump it, cold, into the either the SnS or the Vortex, then I'll load it up again and get those coals going.  After I add them to cold ones, I let it run for a minute to get up to temp.

To each his own . . .





BD

Great idea!  Agree, many ways to skin a cat, do what works for you and makes the experience fun.


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[Darko]

On the charcoal grate.

[cdp8]

On a large paving brick on the ground. Been using the same bricks for 15+ years. Using the charcoal grate would elevate the open flame too  high for my particular location.


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[michaelmilitello]

I light my chimney(s) using the SSP gas assist.  I either leave it there or use a paver.  My patio is exposed aggregate and obviously don't want to harm it.   I've pondered a torch but the SSP has assist/chimney is quite fast and my grills are spread around the patio. 

Btw, lighting a kamado is quite different than a kettle.  For the Kamado, I use a mini chimney with very little coal, let that get hot and then dump it in the summit.  With all the vents wide-open on the summit, it basically acts like a chimney.   With a Kamado, you need to start with a small hot fire, not a big hot fire and slowly let your temperatures build, but that happens fast because the Kamado acts like a chimney with the top vent wide open.   


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