Stupid charcoal chimney question

[Saiko]

This has been bothering me for some time now, but I feel that I need to get it out in the open. For the life of me, I can't figure out the purpose of that metal handle thingy that pivots at the top of a charcoal chimney starter. Not the large handle that you hold when you dump the charcoal, but that thin metal piece that is on a pivot.
What the hell does it do? It doesn't help to hold it when dumping charcoal. It doesn't seem to be any kind of stand. I even found a web site that shows exactly how to use a chimney, and it doesn't even mention it.
Has anybody ever found a reason for it's existence?
This has been bothering me for years now, but I've always been afraid to ask, since it might be so glaringly obvious that I end up looking like a fool.
I'm willing to take the risk now though, so someone please enlighten me.....

Here is the site that has a picture and explains how to use the chimney:

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/chimney.html

[tommykendall]

See how many other folks have wondered the same thing but were to afraid to ask. I dunno but have wondered myself..

[Saiko]

LOL, three of us stood around a chimney before a Falcon game in a drunken stupor, and couldn't figure out any possible use. I figured if three of us couldn't figure it out, it wasn't as obvious as I originally thought.

[hornbri]

Dammit I want to know too.

[Solidkick]

Is this what you are talking about?

Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter


Get coals ready quickly with Weber's extra large aluminized steel canister charcoal chimney starter. The stay-cool glass-reinforced nylon handle and a wire fold-out handle provide safe handling of hot coals.

I guess you are supposed to use both when in a drunken stupor..........or just stand back and question it! LOL Just kidding you buddy!

[Bigmista]

I got gypped! My chimney doesn't even have have a useless thingy on it!

[chad]

Only Weber's have the wire handle -- and don't grab it without leather gloves! :D Most of us just dump the coals and I usually only start about 10-20 briquettes for the Minion start anyway. Every once and a while I'll do a full chimney (like on that 10 foot cooker we used for turkey legs) to fire off a bit cooker or get a good coal bed going for wood chunks. I don't use that wire handle either.

[willkat98]

I find the useless thingy invaluable.

I can spread out a load of chimney much faster, burn my feet quicker, and have a ****load of burning embers in my hair much sooner when a properly shake the **** out of the handle dealie.

[Saiko]

Have any of you ever tried holding on to that wire handle while pouring hot coals? Maybe if your grill was at ground level it would help, but when standing over a grill or pit it really seems to get in the way more than anything. That's why I was thinking it had to serve some other purpose.
Oh well, I guess the case is closed. :D

[Solidkick]

I find the useless thingy invaluable.

I can spread out a load of chimney much faster, burn my feet quicker, and have a ****load of burning embers in my hair much sooner when a properly shake the sh#t out of the handle dealie.

Aaaahhhhh, spoken like an experienced Weber chimney user........

[willkat98]

I find the useless thingy invaluable.

I can spread out a load of chimney much faster, burn my feet quicker, and have a ****load of burning embers in my hair much sooner when a properly shake the sh#t out of the handle dealie.

Aaaahhhhh, spoken like an experienced Weber chimney user........

yep

that thingie is a fire hazard instigator.

honestly, it gives me more control of burning other **** upon dumping a load.

[Aebs]

Saiko, I have a chimney that lacks that thingamabob. I either don't need it, or I'm too dumb to recognize that I miss it.

[417bullelk]

...OK..so I am the only idiot that actually uses the handle thingy? I find I have a little more control in placing the 'coal as it exits the chimney using the wire handle...OK...it's just me. I have never used any other chimney so i have nothing to compare it to.

[spicewine]

I too use the extra handle it works great for me.

[Trout_man22]

I have one of my programers at weber today I'll ask him to see if they can tell him.

Trout

[cookswithfire]

I thought its a handle so you can hang it from your fancy pot racks in your kitchen
That way all your guest know you are a BBQ king

[jt]

Chalk me up for using it.

[brdbbq]

I use a extra hand on one thing only. I wrote the burger King commercial. :roll:

[cookswithfire]

I use a extra hand on one thing only. I wrote the burger King commercial. :roll:
Whopper jr. mod :P

[jt]

I use a extra hand on one thing only
That would be a special order, alright.

Speaking of stubs, tried the bbq sauce - good sheet, maynard.

[brdbbq]

Speaking of stubs, tried the bbq sauce - good sheet, maynard.


Thanks for the feedback glad you like it. Found some other that is knock you dick in the dirt good.

[Trout_man22]

I talked to one of the weber design engineers and told him of our confusion. I read him everything from Saiko being in a drunken stupor to when Bill uses the handle he lights everything on fire.

He thinks that it might be time to update the use instructions, they probably will include things like do not use drink alcohol while using this device. If your mother and father were brother and sister do not use this device. He did say the handle is to control the rate you pour the lite embers out into you pit or grill. Or you can hang the chimney up with it.

Trout

[Saiko]

Why would you want to control the rate, that takes all the fun out of it! The idea is to dump six pounds of blazing hot embers all at the same time!
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Also, from what I am gathering, the people that are using it as handle are wrong? It's supposed to flip over the opening and restrict the flow of coals?

[mook]

I got gypped! My chimney doesn't even have have a useless thingy on it!

Dont be jealous. You prolly saved $5-10 for one without it.

[417bullelk]

I got gypped! My chimney doesn't even have have a useless thingy on it!

Dont be jealous. You prolly saved $5-10 for one without it.

Got mine at Home Depot for $14.96 I believe. The smaller, cheaper one was $12.96.

Me like the Weber one. Doesn't rust either. But, they all do thier intended purpose..like Saiko said.. dump six pounds of blazing hot embers all at the same time!