Smokey Joe Premium BBQ - lid on or off while heating coals?

[knickernicker]

Also how long till you know coals ready to cook on?

I think it is bottom vents open and lid off while the charcoal is lighting. Leave it like that until all the coals are white, then you can cook, with lid on or off as appropriate.

But I made a right balls up of trying to cook with the lid on in our Go-Anywhere last night. We had to finish the chicken off in the oven

I agree with the above - lid off and bottom vents open!