My local ACE Hardware has continually let me down this year. The store does not store it’s lump or charcoal inside. Skids of product outside on a “patio” that has been exposed to the rain we’ve gotten here in abundance in SE Michigan. So waterlogged, it won’t light. Don’t buy charcoal, or briquetes there anymore.

Years ago I bought a Weber chimney when I was grilling exclusively with Briquets. Always worked well for me and got me weaned from petrol starter fluids. Then… bought a 20 pound bag of Cowboy Lump Charcoal and stuffed a load in the chimney. Heat was so intense I thought the chimney would blow itself apart! It didn’t. But the heat from the lump charcoal altered the steel of the chimney. Each time I use the chimney now (frequently) I see the scars I caused using the lump charcoal.

So today, this, Summer I did my best to build Lump charcoal fires without the chimney. It was like I was cooking the wood, watching moisture surface and bubble & pop. Enough heat to grill hot dogs. But little else. I’m a wiser consumer going forward.

This. Needs. An. Explanation!

Robb
I should have said something after encountering the problem. But didn’t.