Charcoal Chimneys

[beachsands]

I have used a chimney before and it always seems like the charcoal is all burnt out by the time I am ready to use it.

Has any one run across this problem? Is it possible that I am allowing it too burn too long?

I usually wait until the flames are just about even with the top of the chimney, and then dump it. This process seems to take about 30 minutes or so. Any procedures that i need to be doing to get a better coal that isn't ready to turn to total ash?

Thanks, Joel

[Big Tom]

Are you using the chimney on lump or briquettes?

My experience with the lump in a chimney for grilling is that by the time all of the charcoal is lit the coals that were on the bottom have just about burned up.

I just pile it up and start it with a propane torch.
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Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

[wnkt]

I only leave mine in the chimney untill the ones on the top are getting ashes on them. Yes if you leave them too long the ones on the bottom are pretty much gone.
Supposedly the new Kingsford are supposed to light faster so you can get to cooking quicker. I dont know for sure because I never used the old Kingsford.
_________________
Electricity can be dangerous. My nephew tried to stick a penny into a plug. Whoever said a penny doesn't go far didn't see him shoot across that floor. I told him he was grounded. - Tim Allen

[beachsands]

[Harry Nutczak]

I use my chimney with lump, and birch bark underneath instead of paper or fuids, as soon as I see glowing lump, it get's dumped in for use, it spreads rather quick to the entire pile. When i am grilling, from unlit lump to cooking over it is usually about 10 minutes.

20-30 minutes seems excessive in a chimney to me.
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Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

[cyb]

Even with lump i get results ranging from the whole chimney ready ready less than 10 mins to sometimes about 15-20 mins, and the lump beneath still well usable too in some cases. So it also depends on the quality of the lump or briquette you are using too.

[DJL]

and don't forget how windy it is.
more wind, faster fire.
less wind, slower fire

[mr bbq]

For me, if I do regular coal, it'll take 20-30 min for the top of the coal to get flames. Lump of course is faster and won't need that long.

[Big Tom]

Big Tom,

Are you saying that you pile it up in your cooker and then start it with a propane torch?

Sounds like one possible solution.


Joel [/quote]

That is correct. I also use the same method under fire grate on my Stump's gravity feed smokers.
_________________
Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

[rustyc]

Joel,

I have experienced the same thing... many times

Now I either wait just until the top coals are lit and then dump (when the top switch places with the bottom, they get going in another minute or two), or I skip the chimney altogether.

I use my oklahoma joe which is a double-barrel smoker/griller, so even two chimney's isn't enough coals for the big chamber. Now I make a big pile of lump mesquite and slide a lighter underneath and light it... the whole pile is going in about the same time as lighting a chimney then using it to start a larger pile of coals.

If you want to see the lighters, (they are 100% all natural) you can click here. If you decide to purchase, make sure to use SPRBBQ-07 at checkout to save 20%.

--Rusty
http://www.naturalflare.com[/url]

[Pulled Pig]

[beachsands]

[Pulled Pig]