While grilling in the backyard might sound exciting and fun, starting the grill and maintaining an optimal temperature can get quite challenging without proper equipment.
Many tend to use gasoline and other types of chemicals to mitigate that. But those do not only ruin the condition of the grill but are also harmful to the health. What you are going to need is a charcoal starter.
Now, you might ask, with all the options that are available in the market, how will you find the best charcoal chimney starter for starting your grilling adventures. As you have found us, you will not have to worry about that anymore. We are going to guide you through and make the overall choosing process easier for you.
Our Best Charcoal Chimney Reviews
Even though the market is full of options in the case of charcoal starters, hardly a few of them can offer decent overall performance. To make things easier for you, we have gone through most of the popular ones and picked only the ones that will make grilling easier and fun for you. They are:
1. Weber 7416 Rapidfire
One of the main reasons behind getting chimney starters is to make the charcoal glow evenly. But it is quite challenging to stumble upon a unit that can do that as fast this one from Weber can.
To start with, it comes with the construction of aluminized steel. This material does not only make the unit lightweight but also makes it durable. That means you can expect it to last for an extended amount of time.
Alongside that, it comes with a thermoplastic handle. This handle can resist heat quite well and will provide you the adequate control of the unit while you are pouring the lit charcoal over your grill machine.
There is a thick shield in between the hand and the chimney itself. That shied will protect the handle from the extreme temperatures. That means you will not have to worry about your fingers burning while you are handling flaming hot charcoal.
Because it comes with a cone bottom, it will be able to ignite the coal comparatively faster. Lastly, it can hold enough briquettes for filling up a 22-1/2 inches grill.
Pros
- Ignites up the coal comparatively faster
- Can hold a relatively large amount of briquettes
- Easy to maneuver and handle
- Comes with a thermoplastic handle
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Might ship with rivets and bolts loosely held in place
- Tends to catch rust relatively fast
2. Kingsford Grilling BB0466 Deluxe
The most prominent problem for the starters that can get the coal burning evenly fast is that they do not sport a durable construction. But that is not the case for this one that Kingsford is offering to the market.
Firstly, this is among the best charcoal starter that can start up and make the coal glow evenly and comparatively faster. That means you will not have to wait for that long to get your grilling started with this in your arsenal.
In the case of the overall construction, it comes with a zinc alloy steel body that is not only durable but also lightweight. It will be able to offer you an extended service life. And, as it is of zinc steel, you will not have to worry about it getting rusting over time too.
It comes along with a thick handle that has heat-resisting capabilities. Because of the large heat shield that is in between the handle and the body, it will not get too hot.
Lastly, it comes with a relatively large capacity too. It will be able to hold a good amount of coal and will be able to get them glowing evenly within just a matter of minutes.
Pros
- Features a durable body
- Resistant to rust
- Can hold a good quantity of coal
- Heats up coal relatively fast
- Comes with a thick heat shield in between the handle and body
Cons
- Some units ship with missing screws
- The handle feels a bit flimsy
3. GrillPro 39470
In your search for the best chimney starter, you are going to stumble upon a plethora of units. But not all of them will be able to offer you as much capacity as this one from GrillPro will.
The unit comes with a comparatively larger container. It will be able to hold up to 2 pounds of charcoal at a time. With that much capacity, it will not take that long to get your grilling party started.
Alongside that, it will be able to get those coal ready in no time at all. It takes about 10 minutes to heat up the coal evenly. You will not have to wait that long to get them all glowing evenly.
It comes with a thick handle to let you maneuver the unit easily. The handle features a heat-resistant cover, which means you will not have to worry about your fingers getting burnt while you are handling it.
Furthermore, there is a heat shield between the handles. With that, the handle will stay relatively cool for an extended amount of time.
As the unit comes as a single piece, you will also not have to worry about assembling or setting up.
Pros
- Can hold up to two pounds of coal
- Heats the coal inside evenly
- Can heat up all the coal within ten minutes
- Comes with a heat shield
- Ships fully assembled
Cons
- The handle feels cheap in quality
- The heat shield is not that much thick
4. BEAU JARDIN 11″X7″ Grill Barbecue BBQ
While browsing through the options that you have, you might want to go for something that is both compact and can hold plenty of coal. In that case, you should have a look into this one.
To start with, it comes with a large capacity that measures 11 x 7 x 7 inches. This canister can hold up to four pounds of coal, which is more than most of the units that are available in the market.
Even though the unit can hold a good quantity of coal it is incredibly portable. It comes with a nylon handle that not only resists heat but also makes it easier to carry it around.
Alongside that, it comes with a heat shield in the middle that will keep the handle cool and will make it easier for you to handle the unit. With this, you will not have to worry that much about getting your hand burnt.
Lastly, it comes with a large base, and it features quite an amount of air vents. Both of them will work together and shorten the overall heating time. You will have evenly heated up coal in no time at all.
Pros
- Compact and easy to maneuver
- Comes with a nylon handle
- Can hold up to four pounds of coal
- Heats up the charcoal evenly
- Takes a relatively short amount of time to heat up the coal
Cons
- Ships with missing parts
- Does not ship assembled
5. Firefly Grill ‘N More Charcoal Chimney Starter
Are you tired of using lighter fluid on your coal to get them glowing? Then what you should look for is the best charcoal starter. And, this one from Firefly Grill ‘N More is one of the decent contenders for that position.
Unlike most of the units that are out there, it comes with a heavy-duty body that is of stainless steel. It will be able to withstand the pressure that is exerted while heating up the coal. You can expect it to last for an extensive amount of time.
Alongside that, the body is also resistant to corrosion. It comes with a large-sized base along with wider air vents. That means it will be able to heat up the coal inside comparatively faster. With this, you will not have to wait that long to get your BBQ party started.
It comes with a relatively thick bakelite handle too. The handle is resistant to heat, and you will be able to transfer the heated up coal to your grill comfortably.
Furthermore, there is also a heat-resistant plate between the handle and the body. It will slow down the heat transfer. You will not have to wear thick gloves to handle the unit.
Pros
- Features a durable stainless steel body
- The body is resistant to corrosion
- Heats up the coal fast
- Comes with bakelite handle
- Has a heat-resistant plate in between the handle
Cons
- Does not come fully assembled
- The edges are razor-sharp
6. Char-Griller Charcoal Grill Chimney, 12-Inch
Whether you are out in the market looking for the best chimney starter or if you are just looking for an alternative to lighter fuels, you should definitely have a look at this unit from Char-Griller because of all the features it offers.
It comes with an E-Z starter design that has a patented trigger releasing mechanism that will allow you to transfer the heated up charcoal quickly. With the quick-release trigger, you will not have to worry about making a mess because it will automatically drop the coal in the grill.
Alongside that, it comes with a built-in release that will keep the hottest coal under all the other ones. With them being on the bottom, the heat will get distributed evenly and efficiently. You will not have to wait that long to get your grill started.
The size of the container is quite large as well. It will be able to accommodate plenty of coal at a time. Alongside that, it comes with an ABS handle that has grooves on it to make it comfortable to hold onto. It also comes with zinc coating, which means it will not rust and corrode over time.
Pros
- Comes with a quick trigger release
- The release keeps the hottest coal at the bottom
- Has a relatively large capacity
- Comes with a comfortable to hold ABS handle
- Features zinc coating to resist rust and corrosion
Cons
- The overall construction is not that sturdy
- The handle feels a bit flimsy
7. Broilmann Charcoal Starters
Not only the lighter fluids are not capable of making the briquettes glow evenly fast. But also decent charcoal starters can make them burn evenly relatively quicker. And, this one from Broilmann is one of the competent ones that are available in the market.
The unit comes featured with a bottom cone design. This unique design enhances the overall burning process, which means the coal will ignite faster than most of the other ones that are out in the market.
Alongside that, it also comes with wider air vents that will allow the unit to draw more air. These vents will accelerate the burning process even further, and you will have evenly glowing charcoal in no time at all.
The body of the unit is quite durable too. It is of aluminized steel, which makes it sturdy. Moreover, it comes with a decent quality handle also. The handle is of thermoplastic, and it stays cool even after prolonged use.
Furthermore, it has a relatively large capacity. The measurements are 7-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 12 inches, which means it will be able to hold quite a lot of coal at a time. It also comes with a heat shield that helps to keep the handle cool.
Pros
- Comes with a sturdy body
- Features a thermoplastic handle
- Comes with a bottom cone design
- Lights up coal evenly
- Takes relatively less time to light up the coal
Cons
- The heat shield is relatively thin
- The handle tends to fall off
8. BBQ Dragon Chimney of Insanity
Are you looking for a charcoal starter that will get your coal heated up insanely fast? Then look no other than the chimney of insanity that is being offered by the BBQ dragon.
Primarily, it comes with an innovative design that will get your coal heated up evenly in no time at all. It will get them glowing within just three minutes. You will not have to wait for ten to fifteen minutes just to get your BBQ party started.
Alongside that, it comes with a ninety-degree elbow on the side of the chimney. This elbow will enhance the heating process by drawing more air than most of the other units. With this, all your coal in the canister will glow evenly.
Besides just offering a faster heat-up process, it will also provide you with extended service because of its durable body. It is of thick galvanized steel. This body will be able to keep up with the pressure that is exerted during heating up a large number of coal.
Lastly, it comes with a nylon handle that is heat resistant. The heat flow to the handle is further obstructed with the thick heat shield that it comes along.
Pros
- Heats up coal insanely fast
- Comes with a unique ninety-degree elbow design
- Features a durable body
- Comes with heat resistant nylon handle
- Has a thick heat shield
Cons
- The capacity is relatively small
- Tends to catch rust pretty fast
9. RSVP International (BQ-CHAR) BBQ Charcoal Fire
In the case of charcoal starters, most of the units that are available in the market will start to rust within just a couple of months. But that is not the case with this one that RSVP is offering.
Instead of utilizing stainless steel or any other sort of metal for the body, it uses zinc alloy. This overall construction material does not only make it durably but also resistant to rust and corrosion. You will not have to worry about this catching rust.
Alongside that, the unit comes with a reasonably large sized canister too. It can hold up to five pounds of coal at one go. With this capacity, you will be able to fill up sizable grills in no time at all.
Furthermore, it can also heat up the coal relatively fast. The unit comes with wide air vents that will allow it to draw more air, which will accelerate the heating process. You will not have to wait that long to get your coal to ignite evenly with this at your hand.
In terms of handles, it comes with a rosewood finished one. This wooden handle will not only resist heat but also makes the unit look elegant. Moreover, the chimney will definitely stand out among the rest of the available ones.
Pros
- Comes with zinc alloy body
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Features a rosewood finished handle
- Can hold up to 5 pounds of charcoal
- Heats up the charcoal a relatively faster pace
Cons
- The unit is comparatively heavier than other ones
- Some packages ship with missing screws]
10. HOMENOTE Rapid Charcoal Chimney Starter Set
We are going to finish off with this set from HOMENOTE. If you were in the lookout for the ultimate coal starter set, then this one is what you were looking for all this time.
The set comes with all the accessories that are required to get your coal glowing at a rapid rate. Alongside the chimney, you will receive lighter cubes, heat resistant mitts, and a portable air blower. With those, your coal will glow evenly in no time at all.
Other than that, the unit has a comparatively large capacity as well. It measures 11.5 x 7 x 7 inches, which means it will be able to hold quite a large number of coal at one time.
The canister is stainless steel, and it has zinc plating on it that will resist rust and corrosion. You can expect this to last for a long time.
Alongside that, it comes with a wooden handle that resists heat quite well. There is also a heat shield in the middle that will slow down the heat transfer to the handle.
Just like the name suggests, it can ignite the coal at a fast rate. You will be able to start grilling within only 8 to 10 minutes after you start the chimney up.
Pros
- Comes with a plethora of accessories
- Can glow coal at a rapid rate
- The body has zinc coating on the exterior
- Has a relatively large capacity
- Features a wooden handle
Cons
- The heat shield is not that thick
- The handle feels a bit flimsy
How Do You Start A Charcoal Chimney?
The setup process to start up a charcoal chimney is pretty straightforward. You will be able to start it up and get your coal glowing evenly in no time at all by following these few steps:
- For starting the charcoal chimney, you can opt for paraffin cubes. If you do not have them lying around, then you can just scrunch up some old newspaper and put them on the lower chamber of the chimney starter.
- After you have filled the lower chamber up with the fire source, you should fill the upper one with coal or briquettes. Fill the canister to the brim and make sure that they are tightly packed.
- When you are done filling up the upper portion with briquettes, lift up the unit and light up the paraffin cubes or newspaper that you placed on the bottom with fire.
- After you have started the fire, you have to wait for a couple of minutes. It will usually take 10 to 15 minutes to get all the coal glow evenly. Some units can do that even faster.
- Once you see that to the top ones are coated all over with white ash, it is ready to be spread on your grill. Wear safety mitts and lift the chimney, and spread the coal on the rack. It is recommended to close the lid up and let the grill preheat for about ten minutes.
Things To Check Before Getting One
We know that you are pretty thrilled to get yourself one of the chimney starters after going through all the reviews. But before you decide to invest money in a unit, there are some factors that you should keep in mind.
These will let you analyze them properly and will allow you to make an efficient decision.
Build Quality
The first thing that you should factor in while you are looking at all the options is the overall build quality. If they come with a thin body, then it will be hard for you to maneuver them. Alongside that, the more sturdy they will be, the longer they will last. That is why you should opt for the ones that come with a durable body.
Handle
Other than that overall build quality, you should also factor in the handle that unit comes along. The handle is where you are going to hold the chimney while you are moving it or transferring the coal to the grill.
That is why it is important that the handle is thick and can resist heat. Other than that, you will have a tough time trying to transfer the heated up coal from the chimney to your grill.
Furthermore, it should be sturdy as well. If the handle is flimsy, there is a high chance that it might detach from the body.
Heat Shield
In the case of a charcoal chimney, the heat shield remains in the middle of the handle and the body. It slows down the heat transfer to the handle and keeps it cool.
The thicker the shield will be, the cooler the handle will be while the coal is burning. That is why you should shoot for the ones that come with a thick heat shield.
Heating Speed
The last thing that you should consider is the heating speed. One of the main reasons behind getting a charcoal starter is to make the coal glow evenly in a short amount of time.
Keeping that in mind, the faster a chimney can make the briquettes burn, the less the waiting time. Usually, the ones that come with wide air vents will be comparatively faster because they can draw more air in, which will accelerate the heating process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I transfer the coal from the chimney?
It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to get all the coal burn evenly. But some can longer or even less than time than that. When you see that there is white ash forming on the top charcoal, you can start taking the coal out of the chimney.
2. Can I add more charcoal after starting the fire?
Yes, if the canister has the capacity, you can add more charcoal after starting the fire at the bottom. But the ones that are added later will take long to glow evenly.
3. Are lighter cubes safe for lighting charcoal?
Lighter cubes are basically an odorless and non-toxic flame starting material that works even after being wet. The ones that are of paraffin wax are the ones that we would recommend the most.
4. Can I use paper to start the chimney starter?
If you do not have any paraffin lighter lying around, you can use old newspapers to light up the charcoal. In that case, you have to cram them together and put them under the chimney.
5. How long will it take to make all the charcoal glow?
It will depend on the chimney starter that you are using. With some, it can take as little as five minutes, and many might take about twenty minutes. Usually, an average chimney will take about ten to fifteen minutes to glow up all the coal that is inside the canister.
6. Do I need to use lighter fluid to get all my coal heated up?
No, you will not need lighter fluid to get your coal heated up with a charcoal chimney. One of the reasons behind getting charcoal chimney starters is to eliminate the need for harmful chemicals such as lighter fluid.
7. How much coal can I fit in my chimney starter?
The overall capacity will vary from unit to unit. Some can hold three pounds of coal while some can hold more or less than that.
Final Words
With that, we hope that we were able to narrow down the overall options to a certain extent that it is now easier for you to choose the best charcoal chimney starter. We would like to end it here by wishing you good luck and hoping that all your grilling session go smoothly.