I use pine shavings from the feed store, you get alot for cheap!
I light some newspaper and throw it in, then some more, then wood chips
puff lightly then more chips, puff puff, chips, until it gets good and going then I pack with chips, alittle tighter then loose.......then puff every so often after that, while I'm working...............
next year I may add sumac berries to that mix for mites
ya, it takes mine about 20 min . to get going too. but I just use that time for getting ready...... and try to think of what I might have forgotten.... :D