Like many others, I use the gas assist for lighting the chimney or baskets. The grill comes off and the chimney or baskets sit on the charcoal grate. One thing I have done however is to reverse the basket on the chimney. This way the coals sit closer to the gas assist and I have extra capacity...
Wishing you a very, very Happy Birthday Barb. You and Rich help make this a great place. BTW, I hear a Weber Summit charcoal work station is appropriate for 70. :)