Question on Weber Chimney Starter

[james1787]

Hi folks, I am new here. I have had a weber 22" for a few years and decided to try getting a weber charcoal chimney starter. I was previously using the stack charcoal method w/lighter fluid and didn't like the results. I liked the idea of using newspaper with the chimney starter. I saw a method of taking a sheet or two of newspaper.. sort of rolling it up and laying it inside on that grill along the edge. Stack the coals and light. I noticed a huge difference in the quality of coals getting lit as well as the heat you get.

However..

As the chimney starter is initially starting up with the paper burning.. you get a good 15-20 mins of a LOT of smoke.. to the point where I am smoking out the street in the front of the house! I'm wondering if I am doing something wrong or if there is a better way to get a less smokey start up & not alarm the neighbors (my next door neighbor knocked on the door last time to make sure we were ok.. not something I care to repeat for this reason). I see they sell those wax things which I imagine might be better.. or maybe I locate the paper differently?

Any tips / advice would gladly be appreciated.. thanks!

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I'm guessing you are using Kingsford charcoal?  It is really smokey when lighting and from what I have found there isn't much you can do about it.  Stubbs briquettes still smoke but not as much as Kingsford.  Lump charcoal will smoke even less.  I'm kind of interested to see what other people say.  I always use a chimney, so I'm not sure if you are getting more or less smoke the way you are setting up your coals.  My parents always used an electric starter and I don't remember that smoking as much as my chimney does, so that might be something you look into.  If I remember correctly the electric starter does take a little bit longer.

https://www.amazon.com/Char-Broil-SureFire-Electric-Charcoal-Starter/dp/B0001B50BM

[Idahawk]

I use the lighter cubes they get hot fast and that cuts down on the smoke


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[Bustin Butt]

I think you're going to get some smoke regardless what method you're going to use. I think newspaper will produce the most smoke out of any other method. Like Mike mentioned the electric starter is a good option. I use the Weber lighter cubes which light fairly easy and quick. Just placing a couple cubes under your chimney will give you a quick chimney fire.


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[MikeRocksTheRed]

Also, have you sent some food of to your neighbor?  An occasional rack of ribs can work wonders!

[Idahawk]

Also the problem I have with the newspaper is the mess it makes and the chance that one of those burning pieces of paper could blow off somewhere and start a fire


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[fedex]

Buy the cubes.  Newspaper is to messy.

[jeffrackmo]

I gather up some sticks. For kindling, break them up and put in the chimney before I pot in the charcoal.  That keeps the paper to a minimum.  The kindling burns cleaner and hotter.  Give that a whirl...

[blksabbath]

Try one piece of newspaper with a few drop of vegetable oil on it.  Or one piece with a few fritos or doritos or potato chips.  I'm not kidding.

Also, start with the chimney 1/3 full.  Light it, wait a few minutes then put the rest of coal on.  The coals at the bottom will be fully light and the rest will catch much faster.

[james1787]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I will stop using the newspaper and try either the kindling or the cubes.

My neighbor wasn't really annoyed, more so she was concerned our house was on fire. It was a rather impressive amount of smoke as it made a haze that went down our street and the next street. I kept checking to see if the police or fd were on their way.

So yep, kindling or cubes next.

I was checking out the wood handles for sale by a user on this site.. wow, those are nice! I might have to pick one up for my chimney starter. My 22" already has a wood handled top. I plan on trying to determine the date of my grill using the guide here too. I'm guessing late 70's or early 80's but we'll see.

[james1787]

Try one piece of newspaper with a few drop of vegetable oil on it.  Or one piece with a few fritos or doritos or potato chips.  I'm not kidding.

Also, start with the chimney 1/3 full.  Light it, wait a few minutes then put the rest of coal on.  The coals at the bottom will be fully light and the rest will catch much faster.

I just saw this..  we must have replied at the same time. I will try this as well! thanks

[MacEggs]

Try one piece of newspaper with a few drop of vegetable oil on it.  Or one piece with a few fritos or doritos or potato chips.  I'm not kidding.

Yup, it works!

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/grilling-bbqing/used-some-doritos-to-get-charcoal-going/

[MikeRocksTheRed]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I will stop using the newspaper and try either the kindling or the cubes.

My neighbor wasn't really annoyed, more so she was concerned our house was on fire. It was a rather impressive amount of smoke as it made a haze that went down our street and the next street. I kept checking to see if the police or fd were on their way.

So yep, kindling or cubes next.

I was checking out the wood handles for sale by a user on this site.. wow, those are nice! I might have to pick one up for my chimney starter. My 22" already has a wood handled top. I plan on trying to determine the date of my grill using the guide here too. I'm guessing late 70's or early 80's but we'll see.

Post a pic of your lid vent and we'll tell you what year your grill is in 2.5 seconds!  LOL

[DonoBBQ]

I use one of 3 methods,  place the chimney on my performers gas assist,  lighter cubes or the side burner on my gas grill.

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[MINIgrillin]

Revel in it. I personally like the smoke. Let's the neighbors know I'm back there kickin ass. Every once in a while I catch a lighter fluid scent on the wind from some newb behind my house. I silently mock him and feel sorry for his family at the same time.

It's good you are upgrading to a chimney. If you use 3 lighter cubes kinda staggered out the chimney will be lit really fast. The smoke production will still be awesome but it will be a shorter duration