I don't think I'm using the chimney starter correctly. Well, I am
certain I am doing the simple stuff of starting the fire properly, but I
don't think I'm properly timing when I pitch everything into the
firebox. I get a ton of smoke when I pitch.

The gist of it is I have an ongoing fire in the firebox that needs to be
boosted. So I dump some charcoal and wood in the chimney starter and
get it going. It flames up, smoke profusely, and then settles down to
the bright glowing chunks. I pitch this in and I think they die out,
sending smoke everywhere.

Am I timing this wrong?