I know you are all waiting with credit cards in hand to call Noah and get yourself one...but.....you are waiting to see what Smoke says
So I am going to chronicle the first fire without any food. The Mfg says to fill the charcoal basket and even out the coals. Check
Soak the top layer of charcoal with lighter fluid. Check
Set the basket back in the barrel and drop in a lit match. Check
After 20 minutes the coals are ready and put on the lid.
So it is 11:40 and I will put on the lid at 12:00
I screwed in an extra thermo I had in one of the holes for the hanging rods to monitor the temps during the first cook only.
Picture time: