My wife gave me a few of my birthday presents early this year, because the weekend weather inspired activities that called for their use: new grill tools.

Specifically, she got me a new vinyl cover for my Weber grill, and a neat-o thing called a chimney starter. Most of you probably already knew what those are, but it was news to me. Well, I just used it, and it’s awesome. I’ve never seen untreated hard-wood charcoal light that easily in my life, without lighter fluid or other chemicals.

Now it’s back outside to grill up some lamb chops….