I filled the chimney with charcoal and waited for the top ones to look almost all white. Spread them out, dropped some more unlit briquettes, around the ring, then put it all together. Popped the lid on it, and let it get hot for about 25 - 30 minutes. Then made 3 pizzas in the next 30 minutes or so. Used two large pieces of hickory to get the cheese to taste nice and smokey (wife loves smoked gouda cheese from Costco).
