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jharmon

chimney

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Posted

I use a mini dragon from https://www.flameengineering.com/

 

If you are still prepping food then it takes about a 30 - 60 second blast in 1 - 2 places and then work inside for another 5 minutes and if you have the vents open you will have a good fire going.  

 

I find it a scary thought to try to poor hot coal as the KK is so deep and then arrange it without getting burnt.  Even wearing welding gloves.

Posted

I don't use a chimney at all. If you're doing a lo/slo, that's too much lit coal to start. If you're going hi heat, I just allow a bit more time to come to temp. I use a mapp torch for lighting.

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Posted

Dave, I use mitts that come up to my elbows, so I've never had a concern with dumping out the coals in the chimney. I bought a cheap, small grill grate that fits on top of the charcoal basket handles and I set the chimney on top of that. The deepness of the KK is actually helpful in that you don't worry about a stray coal exiting the grill and landing on your deck/patio/foot/dog/kid, etc.

 

I hear yah, Robert. That's why I only fill the chimney about 1/4 full for a lo & slo, up to about 1/2 if it's for a high temp steak cook. The only time that I've gone over 1/2 full was when I was trying the "cook the steak on top of the chimney" trick to not waste a lot of charcoal on a very short cook. But, now that I have the basket splitter, don't need to do that anymore. 

 

Plus, I follow this tip from Dennis, the chimney is a good way to use up the smalls in the charcoal bag and save the medium to large chunks for filling the basket (better airflow).

  • Like 1
Posted

Jim - I don't use a chimney at all.  I've got a MAPP torch that I always use.  A 20 second blast in a single spot lights things up quite nicely for a low-n-slow.  Three or four spots hit with the MAPP torch gets things going for higher temps.  Given how efficient the KK is, you're up to temp in just a few (15 or so) minutes.  That gives me time to finish up the prep work for my cook.  

  • Like 1
Posted

Tried a chimney after originally taking delivery of my KK but its more work and mess than its worth IMHO.  Then I moved on to a Bernzomatic 19425 JT850 torch, fed with propane or MAPP, and never looked back.  

Posted

I don't use a chimney at all. If you're doing a lo/slo, that's too much lit coal to start. If you're going hi heat, I just allow a bit more time to come to temp. I use a mapp torch for lighting.

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Ditto on the MAPP torch. Easy breezy.

Posted

Haven't lit a KK yet but for my regular kamados I just use 1/2 a wax/cardboard cube and it works just fine. Am I missing something?

 

Nope. Lots of good ways to start your cook. Each has their own +/- . 

Posted

Haven't lit a KK yet but for my regular kamados I just use 1/2 a wax/cardboard cube and it works just fine. Am I missing something?

Yup a MAPP torch.

I was a die hard alcohol and cotton ball guy. Once I tried MAPP there was no going back. It's just quicker and easier.

Posted

Dont worry Tony if you dont like it for lighting the KK they can be fun for doing weeding with as long it is not to hot and dry.  

 

To small for trying to melt the way to the kk though has been my experience.

Posted

Mapp Torch. Tried and true. CC, 20 seconds ? I go 30-60 seconds. I guess whatever works. Enjoy your cooks.

For me it depends on the target temp I'm trying to achieve.

Some times 20 seconds, some times 60.

Some times one spot, some times 2 or 3 spots.

Posted

EGGARY - yeah, I only hit a spot for about 20 seconds of so. I guess it really depends on the kind of charcoal now that I think about it for a bit. For my regular FOGO brand charcoal, I hit a spot for about 20 seconds. However, when I use CoCoNut Extruded Charcoal, because of its density, it does take longer to light. I'll probably hit a single spot for about 30-45 seconds, at the max. I always try and hit a jagged edge on the CoCoNut where I broke it. That works infinitely better than trying to light a side or an end of a piece!

  • Like 1
Posted

I vacillate between torch and chimney. Never had any problem with a chimney fitting in the KK, pouring out the coals or anything. Works perfect. Even for a low and slow, I just put about 1/4 of a chimney's worth of charcoal in and that gets it going without getting too hot.

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