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I'm just going to leave this here.
It will change your life. Basically, you fill it with the desired amount of charcoal, and put a source of fire underneath. Personally, I use the Weber lighter cubes but you can use newspaper or even the cooking oil paper towels mentioned in your linked video. The advantage is that the coals get ready much quicker and you have more flexibility as to the location/size/shape of your charcoal pile.
Just one word of caution: make sure you have some gloves when you dump the chimney. The handle gets pretty hot despite the heat shield.
Those coals look awfully black to me. These are very useful. Just about everyone carries them.
Return the lighter fluid for one of these, if you don’t want your food tasting like lighter fluid. Weber Stephen Company 7429 Rapid Fire Chimney Starter, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B5BHKDZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_wQj.BbPHQWMPG
If you camp a lot but still want to keep it quick and easy (you’ve got kids) I recommend these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KK5P7G/
They’re like 10 cents each, they’re small flat squares so easy to pack, and work great. Easier than prettt something with wax or saving up lint and toilet paper tubes or something IMO once you’re an adult with a job (though those are still great skills you teach the kids).
IIRC from an old shows I saw in the 80's-90's, the burgers are seared on a pan on a hot plate and the grill marks are hand "burned" by someone with the coil from an electric charcoal starter.
I have watched the same videos.
I really like smoking dads technique. Except for the way he starts the fire.
I use a less aggressive technique than smoking dad. One starter square placed on top near/under a few medium size coals. Once the flame from the starter is extinguished I will close the lid. Let the dome get hot. The fire will spread, wood will get hot and start to smolder during the warm up process. You should get hours of nice smoke.
I feel like the way smoking dad starts his fire is very aggressive and gets too hot too quickly. To me this will burn out the wood chunks too quickly.
These are the ones I use: Fire Starters BIG PACK 160 Squares Charcoal Starter for Grills, Campfire, Fireplace, Firepits, Smokers.No flare ups & flavor. FireStarter for wood & pellet stove.Waterproof robust squares https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KK5P7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XS35S56NCJ9GH4GH1AJE
But I’m sure there are a lot of others that are good
It is hands down—by far, without a doubt—the best way to make pork chops. Never making them any other way again...
It’s how all (most?) the high end restaurants do it. You can’t order a 2-2.5” thick pork chop at a restaurant and expect it to be out on time—with everyone else’s food. They’re brought up to temperature (completely cooked) ahead of time via sous vide, and then finished off on a searing hot grill—to whatever doneness you like—when you order it.
It’s my favorite way to cook chicken breasts as well. Those HUGE pterodactyl sized breasts you get from the supermarket come out perfect all the way through, every time.
Getting a good sear at the end is key. I use a charcoal chimney/starter with a steel grate over it at home 🔥
My best sear has never been a cast iron pan, sadly; that would nice and convenient. To get the real good crust, I go with a charcoal chimney with a grate over the top.
Also if he doesn't have a Chimney starter, that is a must have for any charcoal griller and makes it so much easier.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B5BHKDZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_4WjHFbRKNCPWR
They can probably be found a little cheaper at your local Home Depot or wherever.
Probably not, I think of weber kettles are the "disposable" of charcoal bbq. Mine lasted 3 fully functional years, including grilling in harsh Quebec winters. I can still use it, but the top vent dial is long gone, top grill is a structural disaster and the feets wiggle on the pit every time I touch it. Also, looking at the amazon page, saw the char-baskets that could possibly replace the smokenator for 1/4 of the price.
I need to get a larger smoker... mine is already falling apart after the first smoke.
That's the torch for my Searzall, which does double duty for all my lightin'-shit-on-fire needs - fire pit, fireplace, Weber grill, Masterbuilt. But I was just lighting a fire starter cube.
My guy really slapped raw unseasoned chicken on a grill in direct AND indirect heat.
Should've brined or at least put a simple salt based rub on these and smoked em using indirect heat in two separate batches. That's too much chicken on that goddamn grill at one time.
I'm sure you meant well but get yourself these cheap ass baskets or a slow n sear.
I've smoked a ton of briskets, pork butts, chicken thighs/legs and chuck roasts using the cheap ass baskets on my kettle. The more expensive slow n sear just makes it easier so you don't have to worry about fuckin around with an separate water pan.
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That chicken would've looked so much more appetizing with a rub and even some sauce on it towards the very end to get a nice glaze.
Just get the starters from masterbuilt or a generic brand on Amazon. They’re pretty cheap.
For those who want to roast on their own. Here's what I'm using. I used a charcoal chimney filled about 3/4 with charcoal. https://www.amazon.com/Kingsford-Grilling-BB0466-Chimney-Charcoal/dp/B07TM721ZS
I've got a little cooling rack from the dollar tree similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/cookie-cooling-racks-wire-rack-for-baking/dp/B06X9KLW1P
It's blistering hot, and roasts the skins in no time flat. I use this same setup for roasting peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes.
I use two of these and a regular lighter. Lid open and all vents open for the first few minutes then close the lid. Works like a charm.
Melt Candle Company Fire Starter... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KK5P7G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
>I’d highly recommend getting a charcoal chimney. It makes lighting so much easier. Don’t use lighter fluid. It will ruin the taste of anything you cook.
I'm thinking of getting a pellet grill, thoughts?
yes i just looked at what a charcoal chimney is, and what it does, you get the coals heated in there and dump em! https://www.amazon.com/Kingsford-Grilling-BB0466-Chimney-Charcoal/dp/B07TM721ZS/ref=sr\_1\_3?keywords=charcoal+chimney&qid=1657301629&sr=8-3
It’s a cylinder that you stack the charcoal in, and stuff the bottom (which is separated) with paper. This lets you create a concentrated fire to light all the charcoal in a condensed space rather than spread out over the grill. Saves time, and makes for more efficient use of charcoal.
https://www.amazon.com/Weber-7429-Rapid-Chimney-Starter/dp/B07B5BHKDZ
I buy these, which are usually $12, not sure why they are high right now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084KK5P7G/
The biggest key to lighting the damned thing in my opinion is to REALLY get in there and shake the grate to get old coal and ash out. I was having a beast of a time getting my 1050 fired up, but after shaking this until the dust stops flying, it's all be much much better. Single light, every time.
Well....assuming I'm smart enough to A) give it 2 minutes to start the coal, and B) Remember to start the damned controller and remove the slides :)
Do not use lighter fluid. Instead, buy yourself a chimney starter. Here’s a link to the Weber one, but you can probably find one at your local hardware store.
I use these little turds. They work great as well. I did actually use newspaper back in the day. I like these as nothing blows around:
I've used Kroger charcoal in my 1050, that's not why it didn't light. I had to find a sure fire method because, I had some stalls at first.
I use those little square starters like these
Melt Candle Company Fire Starter - Pack of 160 Charcoal Fire Starters for Campfires, Chimney, Grill Pit, Fireplace, BBQ & Smoker - Water Resistant and Odorless https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KK5P7G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_JQNFP273AG817R1BS32A
Before I light I take a spatula and bang the underside of the grate a few times just to have it drop any ashed over coals that may not have dropped through.
Then I place the starter square and get it burning well. After that I close the door and just leave the lid open. This seems to cause the coal to light better as it seeks oxygen and the flame climbs higher. About 6 or 7 minutes and it's lit and I can close the lid to start the fan.
I have one of these. It works well for grilling temps, but It's not great for low & slow cooks. Got myself a smaller one since. It's not quite as fast or dramatic, but it's easy to light the coals correctly for any cook I want to do.
I use an electric starter. Does anyone else or are they unpopular here?
Are you close to electricity? You can also look at the electric coal starters similar to this:
Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06W5VR3ZF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_5JPWS2N081A5587SRV4J
They are relatively cheap and I'm yet to burn one out. Some hardwares carry them (Peakes had it for $150, I think I saw at Bhagwansinghs as well). Extremely consistent lighting of coals, usually well lit in 10 minutes. I use lump charcoal in my smoker and even with large chunks it still gets the job done. A long enough extension cord is all you would need with it.
There's also a smaller charcoal chimney option. Works much better than the fullsize when adding coals into a PBC.
Use it to light the charcoal without fluid. Lights the charcoal quickly and you pour it into the grill when ready
Something like this: Weber 7429 Rapidfire Chimney Starter, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B5BHKDZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FK75R2J4KJY8S902CYYS
I originally used a charcoal chimney but never really had a consistent temperature with it. I bought a cheep electric charcoal lighter I used for years reliably and it naturally lit the coals in the middle. When my charcoal lighter tried burning my house down by shorting out the outlet I started using a map torch and had good luck just lighting a few spots on top. Now I have this thing
HomeRight Electro-Torch C900085 Fire Starter, Charcoal Starter and Lighter, BBQ Smoker, Grill Starter, Chemical Free Heated Air with Built-In Blower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MRQWLMY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_J9BFTFCWGEH931SMYCS2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It works awesome I can get a hot fire going in just a few minutes or have the vents shut down for a slower cook quickly.
Probably the closest you’ll find in the US/Canada would be HomeRight Electro-Torch C900085 Fire Starter, Charcoal Starter and Lighter, BBQ Smoker, Grill Starter, Chemical Free Heated Air with Built-In Blower