Comments on: Charcoal Chimney Starter

By: zydecopaws

zydecopaws — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:12:54 +0000

I had similar complaints with briquettes using the paired Weber baskets in the Performer. I don’t recall ever using the chimney starter in conjunction with the igniter, but if I recall a single chimney of briquettes will just about fill the two baskets. I never used lump with the baskets, and I would imagine that the size of the lump might have some impact on how it fit in the baskets.

I would assume that the igniter would work with a chimney as long as the wind isn’t too bad and you center it directly over the flame; I’ve used other flame sources than paper before and had great success.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:33:11 +0000

I’ve been using the Performer igniter with lump in the paired Weber baskets that came with the grill. I’m not satisfied. The coals don’t fire evenly and I don’t feel that two baskets of coals is enough for direct cooking. I believe the chimney starter will fire the coals better. I’m wondering if they hold more coals than the two baskets combined. Any ideas?

By: zydecopaws

zydecopaws — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:54:14 +0000

It’s not unusual for lump charcoal to throw of sparks when hit with a flame like that. I’ve used a MAPP torch to light lump in Bubba Ho-Keg and have even seen it in a chimney when using mesquite lump.

I normally use briquettes in the Webers and lump in Bubba Ho-Keg, but have been known to use lump in the WSMs and once in awhile in the kettles. FWIW, I’ve stopped buying blue bag Kingsford and switched to the competition briquettes, if for no other reason than better burn times, less ash, and they can be used in Bubba Ho-Keg in a pinch.

By: new guy

new guy — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:48:33 +0000

wow thanks for the year-later reply. one other question – last night i did the chimney on the performer, no newspaper, and lit my lump charcoal. there was a lot of sparking from the lump charcoal. is this normal? just like some popping and embers shooting up. didn’t feel safe to be honest so even though they didn’t all seem to be lit, i dumped them into the grill before they seemed ready. is it an issue using lump charcoal with a chimney starter? do you prefer briquettes or lump? i’m very excited about this grill but i clearly am learning from nothing. thanks again for your reply.

By: zydecopaws

zydecopaws — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:33:44 +0000

I use the chimney for other kettles that don’t have the lighter and for my WSMs as well. And the real reason? Too cheap to buy propane for the igniter on the Performer.

Also, I’ve used the igniter on Pigdog’s Performer and I’m less than impressed, especially in windy conditions. What I have found works is to center the chimney right above the igniter flame and leave the igniter on long enough to get the bottom coals started. Then let the chimney take over and do the work from there. When using this method, there’s no need to use newspaper, although I suppose you could just use the igniter to get the paper lit…

By: new guy

new guy — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 15:20:39 +0000

i know this is like a year after the original article but i have a question. why would you be lighting the chimney starter this way instead of using the igniter built into the Performer grill. i just bought the Performer grill and chimney starter and am just trying to figure out how to use the two together. if you are starting your coals in this way, do you ever have a need for the built in igniter system? thanks!

By: zydecopaws

zydecopaws — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:54:49 +0000

I’ll stop using mine when they pry it from my cold, … oh, wait, that was the other thread. If I ever break down and buy a BGE I suppose I wouldn’t use it for that, but I’m too cheap to buy a weed-burner and haul around propane tanks everywhere so the chimney is the best option for me.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:27:43 +0000

I don’t use mine as much since I don’t need it when using the BGE. But it is still my go to method when using my offset or other grill. You did a great write up!