Starting a fire in a Lang 60

I have an 84 and I start my fire by pouring some briquettes in the firebox and lighting with a weedburner, once hot enough to burn splits, I throw them on to get a big fire going and stay with nothing but wood after that. I don't use lump because it's expensive and the firebox on the 84 has no problems gobbling up briquettes to get everything going. I cook at 275°-300° so I run my cooker up to that.

Don't overthink it. I wouldn't even consider the minion method in this type cooker but thats just me.

I have an older Lang 1160 (similar to an 84). I lay down a bid of unlit charcoal framed by 3 splits of hickory. I then add 1 lit chimney of charcoal. It takes about 45 minutes to come up to 280+-. I then bring the temps down to 250-260 and add meat at that time.

Midnight..............;}-

I have a less expensive Tejas2040CC,I use no charcoal or charwood or chunks. I find people with a bit of wood and either buy or Barter for the good woods. I light mine with a log starter(gas) and turn it off going to all wood. I watch for my temp. to settle @225*f then watch for changes in my Grate level heat and adjust from there;I may pull up a shot:
<a href="http://s1204.photobucket.com/albums...and Parties/?action=view&current=Betty003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb404/oldschoolbbq/My BBQ and Parties/Betty003.jpg" border="0" alt="My weapon of choice...wood!"></a>

My results are always good:clap2:,I'm just not Rich enough for all the investments and liability,so I do for Family and Friends.

Your splits are gonna burn much easier and cleaner once you get a good bed of coals underneath. I use charcoal for this.
It helps a lot if the logs are pre-heated also. I set a couple on top of the firebox to toss in as needed.

I have a Lang 48. I put in some split oak, some charcoal (about a 2 gallon coffee can's worth, I would guess), put on some lighter fluid, light it, leave the door open and let it burn for about 45 minutes. It gets up to about 350. That's okay with me though, because I like to spray a little water on the grates to steam clean them. I then shut the firebox door and adjust the dampers.

(I know some purists would not agree with lighter fluid, but trust me: after 45 minutes there is no trace of it.)