There is loads of thread in here about the basket. There is just one benefit to it. Sleep.. or spare time. The basket will give you a 4 to 6 hour unattended burn. some have gone as long as 8. There are several ways to do it, but the bottom line is you either load the basket 2/3 full left to right and then dump lit coals on the empty side, allowing for a horizontal/serpentine burn, Our just load it up evenly across the whole thing and dump some lit coals on top a-la Minion method. Both work, both give extended burns and you get some other stuff done. The basket we use here from BigAl/SpiceWine has removable dividers that allow you to section off and delay ignition. They can be used with kingsford or lump and just need some logs or chunks dispersed throughout.
