On the thread where member's neighbor complaining about the smoke created, we all advised him not to use newspaper to start the chimney as it creates lot of smoke. AZ Monsoon suggested using 2 chimney to cut down the smoke time. Well, I agree in time reduction but the smoke would be twice as much is what I am thinking. Anyways, I had other ideas. I thought using 2 chimney would be great idea to do an experiment to see which chimney would light faster or less smoke produced with different setup.
Normally, I fire up one 3/4 to full charcoal chimney using either my performer propane assist or my Gas side burner to start up. I started using BBQ Dragon to cut down on the time. And that is fine but got very curious about not only time but less or no smoke factor.
So, today's first experiment was to divide same amount into each chimney.
#1 chimney- I put 2 weber starting cube and put charcoal on top to compare to how I normally do it with full charcoal. Started up in my side burner. Not much smoke compare to normal full charcoal.
#2 chimney- I measured out exact amount of charcoal in a separate bowl and doused it with starting fluid for few min. in the name of science experiment. Then into the chimney with quick shot of more fluid before starting up in my performer gas assist. Holy Crap! it takes no time to get ready. You all know when full chimney is ready about 20 min. when you see no more smoke and you see light orange or redish flame come up and the top is starting to ash over. Well. big flame from start to the end but no visible smoke at all. And it is done in no time.
Using my bbq dragon for only 1 min. as I thought it was all ready to dump into the basket.
All ready to go in 10 min. Normally, to ash over fully like this would take lot longer.
My thoughts,
-using 2 separate chimney cuts down on time not in 1/2 but more like to 1/3. also, seems to produce less smoke on the #1 chimney to about 1/3 or less. Don't take my word. Do your own easy experiment and see what you think.
- using lighter fluid cuts down on time big time( less than 1/2 of #1 chimney) and produces no visible smoke at all, just a big flame. No difference in taste on steaks I did as I never poured it directly into the kettle or let charcoal soak enough to penetrate fully.