Pro-Q Frontier Charcoal Loading

My next cook in the Frontier will need more than 1 chimney of charcoal. The chickens in accordance with Gary Weviott's book, "Low & Slow" have all been done on one chimney so far.

Is there an easy way to load the charcoal into a running Frontier?
Should it be lit or is it acceptable to put on unlit (I am using lumpwood charcoal)?

The book mentioned above says that the cooker (based on a WSM) should have the top sections lifted off to expose the charcoal basket and then add the charcoal and let it start to burn clean before replacing the rest of the cooker. Surely this will result in too great a temperature drop?

Any tips much appreciated. Thanks.

If you are using a good quality lumpwood charcoal, then there won't be a problem adding it unlit. The other alternative is to get some going in a charcoal chimney starter and add it when it is ready.

Thanks Mack. It looks like it may be difficult to get lit charcoal in through the door to the basket, so I'll go with the unlit option and see how I get on.

Lock the lid and 2 stackers together, then lift the whole lot off the base. This will give you instant access to the whole fire basket... you lose very little heat this way (remember to lift it all off using the side handles).

Thanks Mack. Just waiting for a dry day now to do the cook!!