jharmon Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hi What type of chimney do you guys use on the KK? The ones with the handles don't fit down there. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I use a standard Weber chimney. Never had any problems with the handles fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyR Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5698k Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dstr8 Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFrogs91 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 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. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Ditto on the MAPP torch. Easy breezy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 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 +/- . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 OK, Uncle, Uncle! Just ordered the JT850 from Amazon Prime. Will run by the hardware store tomorrow and pick up a canister of MAPP for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyR Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5698k Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Ok, now you're getting fancy! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EGGARY Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Mapp Torch. Tried and true. CC, 20 seconds ? I go 30-60 seconds. I guess whatever works. Enjoy your cooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 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! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mguerra Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Looftlighter and a cheap hair drier that has great airflow.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Does anybody know if this was the torch that forum members used to build the long hang over the side of your grill lighters? http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-start-propane-torch-91061.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
