"Matthew L. Martin" > wrote in message
> Brian wrote:
> > Hi folks.
> > My question: With briquettes, I know I have to wait until they turn
> > ashey white. What about with lump? When can I put the food over them?
>
> Use the hand test. Hold your bare hand just above the grill. Count the
> number of seconds you can stand the heat. Depending on your sensitivity
> anything below 2 seconds is probably hot enough to grill.
>

I'll usually dump them out of the chimney after flames start to show. At
that point there's typically about 1/3rd that looks unlit to visual
inspection. But by the time the coals heat up the grate they'll be going or
started. The more unstarted lump you got, the more wood smoke flavor you'll
get. With briquettes you want them fully lit because you don't want to taste
the nasty chemicals, with lump, you'll not get the natural wood flavors that
are coming out during the lighting process. Once lump is fully lit, just
like briquettes, it'll put out less smell/flavor.


D
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