I just purchased my first Weber 22” Master Touch. I’ve seen lots of people start their charcoal with a chimney on the bottom grate, but only with the lid completely off. Is the lid in the back position ok? Or will the heat from the chimney that is close to the lip cause damage?
by blackhatrob
34 Comments
I’d probably just set the lid on the ground while lighting the charcoal. But you could also rotate the chimney 90 degrees counter clockwise and butt up the chimney to the side of the grill, basically where the handle is in this photo. Should give another 4 inches of clearance or so
Yes it’s fine to do this
It is great!! You may put the lid aside… else it will get hot!
You’ll be fine
I’d take the lid off
I put the lid on the ground, but otherwise yeah you’re good
It’s fine. I’ve done it that way for years.
Wont the handle melt if you leave it too long?
That’s how I do it, never had a problem.
My lid has a built in “hook” that’s near the exhaust port so it can just hang on the side and out of the way. I’m sure yours does too.
Well, it’s your grill so do what you want. But the heat coming out of that chimney is much higher than the coals when they are in the grill cooking. The vertical airflow increases burning temp the same way that a forge has a blower to make the coals hotter (not nearly the same kind of heat, but it’s like a passive “blower”).
The point I’m getting to here is that the lid being above the chimney is going to get a LOT of excess heat. And while the grill is painted with high heat paint, it’s not meant for THAT high of heat.
But, it won’t hurt the grates, or the grill itself, just may be too hard on the paint on that part of the lid. May be able to get away with it a few times before you notice any damage though.
the part of the lid closest to the chimney is going to be hot. a fact that you will soon learn inadvertently
Yeah, that’s fine. If you took off the lid it would increase airflow, but the coals are going good, so it’s all good.
That’s the only way I’ve ever done it
Straight to jail.
Yes
Not recommended if you like the finish on the lid.
Only time I do it like that is if I’m trying to shelter it from rain. Never caused any problems though.
I started doing it this way. Then I found a cheap fire pit that I now start little fires in and then rest the chimney on top of a bed of coals and stick a $20 electric coil ring into the top. But I’m using lump charcoal which takes a bit longer to light and I try not to use any non natural accelerants with it.
the chimney is such a game changer. I find myself using the kettle more than gas grill these days because its just so fast to get it going with the chimney.
Move the lid completely off.
She’s a beaut. So clean!
Exactly how I do it.
For the chimney starter people, why not speed things up with a sear gun?
deep ocean blue ftw. Maxed out the coals too, you get that thing up to 600?
No worries, that’s the way it works ..
I hope so. That’s how I do it!
Found the rookie
That might get hot and warp. Emphasis on might. It’s not very thick metal and the chimney will get HOT
You are missing the single most important ingredient……Beer. Where is the Beer? You have to be holding a can of beer while the barbecue is starting.
That’s way more charcoal than you need for that Weber grill.
Same but with a full wood fire going and an extra basket of coals
Totally fine. I do it that way every time. Grill is clean.
Seeing a new grill is wild. I just realized I’ve had my Weber for 20 years now. Just clean it after each use, cover it properly, and you’ll have a battle scarred grill in no time.