Charcoal Chimney

A charcoal chimney, also called a charcoal chimney starter, is a metal cylinder designed to light charcoal quickly without lighter fluid. It uses airflow through vents at the bottom to ignite the coals evenly, producing hotter, cleaner-burning charcoal that's ready for grilling in about 15-20 minutes.

Charcoal chimney starters are popular because they're fast, easy to use, and eliminate the chemical taste that lighter fluid can leave behind.

Using a charcoal chimney is simple:

1. Place crumpled newspaper, a natural fire starter, or a paraffin cube beneath the chimney.

2. Fill the chimney with the desired amount of charcoal.

3. Light the fire starter through the bottom vents.

4. Allow the charcoal to burn until the top coals begin turning gray and covered with ash.

5. Carefully pour the hot charcoal into your grill or fire pit using heat-resistant gloves.

Always place the chimney on a heat-safe surface while it's burning.

See our full writeup on how to use a charcoal chimney for more details.

To light a charcoal chimney, place a fire starter or several sheets of crumpled newspaper underneath the chimney and ignite it through the lower ventilation holes. As the flames rise, they draw air through the chimney, causing the charcoal to ignite from the bottom up.

Avoid using lighter fluid inside a charcoal chimney, as it's unnecessary and can affect the flavor of your food.

A charcoal chimney is ready when most of the charcoal is glowing red and the top layer of briquettes or lump charcoal is partially covered with light gray or white ash. This usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on the type of charcoal, weather conditions, and how full the chimney is.

Once the charcoal reaches this stage, carefully pour it into your grill for even heat and consistent cooking performance.