On 3-May-2005, "Brian" > wrote:

> Hi folks.
>
> I just bought my first Weber grill and I love it. I bought last year's
> Platinum model because I had to have a table and couldn't afford a new
> Performer. Anyway, I set up my first batch of lump charcoal in my
> Weber chimney starter and put it on my concrete patio. I went into the
> kitchen for a minute and heard "POP!!!! POP-POP-POP!!!! I ran outside
> and found that the heat of the lump charcoal busted up the surface of
> the concrete!!! It caused the chimney starter to topple over! Luckily
> it landed on stone and didn't ignite anything. The concrete patio now
> has a circular hole the size of the chimney starter that's about a 1/4
> inch deep. Naturally I was in shock. Has anyone else experienced
> anything like this? I didn't even have the starter completely full.
>
> 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?
>
> Happy grilling.
>
> Brian

Brian, I have to laugh a little bit right here not because of your question,
but because of some of the replies I've seen posted here.

1.) The concrete in your patio is saturated with moisture. Adding
very hot heat to a small portion of it causes the trapped moisture
to expand and force it's way out of confinement. Result, a small
explosion in you patio. Remedy is to start your chimney of
fuel in a device that is designed to contain that heat. I use an
offset and I start my chimney on the cook chamber grate and
then dump it into the fire box. A cheap assed supermarket
grill will serve the same purpose.

Brick (Keep the shiny side up)

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