FWIW.

I live in a area where the fire danger is somewhat critical due to a lot of
vacant property covered with pine trees and debris.

I used to use a few sheets of wadded up newspaper and an chimney to start
the charcoal. The small little newspaper embers & ash that flew into the
air gave me a little concern. For sure I logically knew and was 99% sure
these little embers could do nothing but there was always that nagging 1%
doubt.

Several months ago a friend brought over a fondue set and we purchased
several cans of Sterno.

Well a lit can of Sterno under the chimney for a few minutes works GREAT
with no smell, embers, or aftertaste.



Dimitri