FYI: THere are chimneys out there with hinged grates on them. Mine has a
grate thats hinged at one end and the other end sits on a leg. So that when
you lift the chimney, the grate swings down and dumps the lump. THe
manufactures name burned off long ago.

"Brian" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi again, folks.
>
> Thanks for all the great insights. The steam bursting through the
> concrete makes total sense. I like the idea of removing the grate in
> the chimney starter so I could just lift it up. I get nervous dumping
> those blazing coals in. Just like Alton Brown recommended, I bought a
> galvanized bucket to turn upside down and set the chimney on it. But I
> read someone in this group wrote about how poisonous chemicals are
> released when those buckets are heated up so I don't use it.
>
> Brian
>