I light mine with a torch, keeping the torch on it for two minutes. Then I blow on it for about two minutes, to get the coals underneath piping hot. I let it flame for ten minutes; by this time half of the first row has been used. I pull the pellet tray and pellet loader out of the MES 40 unit.
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And then moan like a child whose balloon has popped, when it goes out 15 minutes later. ;)
I believe firemen need to carry a GIANT MES 40 around at all times. When a fire call occurs, Plop it over the burning house. Nothing kills all fire and smoke like a Gen II windowless MES 40. It is so odd, it may actually involve the fusion of special relativity and fluid chaos math.
<EndWhine>
I just bought all the parts for the mailbox mod 30 minutes ago, slapped it all together. Doing a dry run right now, while my ribs are in the "foil two hours" stage. If it will keep burning for an hour straight in the mailbox, there may be hope for me. If I can't get good smoke, I might as well bake them in the oven.