How to Use a Charcoal Chimney Starter (User’s Guide)

A charcoal chimney starter is a device that makes starting charcoal an easy process. It’s convenient to use, and it will help you get the fire going quickly! This user’s guide will show you how to use one of these starters so that your next grilling session can be more successful than ever before.

There are many ways to start a charcoal chimney starter, but the easiest way is by using a propane torch. Here’s how you do it:Weber Chimney Starter

  1. Get your non-lighter fluid soaked newspaper in an even pile on top of your grate.
  2. Hold your lighter next to the paper until it starts to ignite and then set fire to the paper with the flame from your lighter or match.
  3. Wait for all of the flames on top of the paper have died down before adding more fuel—this will take about 10 minutes.
  4. Add charcoal gradually every five minutes, when there are no flames left on top of any pieces of wood near where you want to add it.

Now that you have your charcoal lit, here’s how to add it to your grill:

  • A) Remove the cooking grate from your grill and place it on top of a heat-resistant surface.
  • B) Set up another burner or light a side burner on your gas grill if there isn’t one already going—this will help keep the flames in check while you cook so they don’t spread out of control.
  • C) Carefully pour coals into the chimney with tongs and let them fall down onto the hot burners below until full, then carefully put lid back on unit with no gaps between hood and body.
  • D) Wait for smoke coming from chimneys to die down, about five minutes.
  • E) Carefully remove chimney from grill, being careful of flames and use long tongs to place coals on cooking grate over the lit burner or side-burner you’ve already got going. Leave a space between each coal for grilling food evenly without having them touch one another.
Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter, Standard, Silver
  • Designed to quickly produce hot coals for cooking
  • 7.5 in. In diameter, 13 in. High
  • Specialized cone-shaped grate
  • Durable construction for longevity
  • Ergonomic handle for comfortable use

Now that your charcoal is burning steadily, it’s time to start grilling! Enjoy this user guide as well as all of our other great barbecue tips!

What is a Charcoal Chimney Starter?

A chimney starter is an incredibly reliable tool to help you get your charcoal fired up in no time. This method of lighting coals works by having the heat build up under the briquettes through a column of air, which then gets sucked towards the bottom where it can light whatever’s underneath (i.e., wood chunks, pellets) within minutes.

  • Heat source at top
  • Air flow draws hot air down below
  • Coals are ready when glowing red or covered with white ash

In this article, we’ve covered everything from what a charcoal chimney starter is to the different ways that you can use one. Hope it helps!

Why use a Charcoal Chimney Starter?

The process of adding fuel to the charcoal chimney starter is a little more complicated than lighting some paper under your grill. You need to wait for about 15-25 minutes until the coals are ready & hot enough. This means, you can light up as many lit charcoals as possible with one use of this product. It also saves time and effort associated with using lighter fluid or bbq lighters which produce harmful fumes/smoke when they burn out! However, it doesn’t mean that we recommend using any other method but this way – if you don’t want to risk yourself or others around you then stick with traditional methods like lighter fluids and what nots (you might them in our blog post on how to light up charcoals).

See also
How To Warm Up A Chimney Flue

The charcoal chimney starter is also portable and you can take it wherever you go. You don’t necessarily need a stove or bbq grill – just place the lit coals on your campfire, fireplace, cooking fire pit etc. This way, you will be able to enjoy grilled food anywhere!

Useful tips/hints for Charcoal Chimneys

  • It’s recommended that before adding more fuel into an already-lit chimney starter (after about 15 minutes), turn off its air vents by closing them with some metal object like tongs or poker & wait another few minutes for the smoke within the container to subside first; this ensures safety of both you and the chimney.
  • We recommend that you use a charcoal chimney in accordance with its size & shape by keeping at least one centimeter of space between each coal so it doesn’t get too hot for them to light up properly, which can be disastrous if they do!
  • After about 30 minutes or even less (depending on how much charcoal you have used), all coals should be completely lit-up & ready to go: just add your favorite cooking grill/rack over it and start grilling!
  • To make the most out of your charcoal chimney, we recommend that you get a lid for it (usually an inexpensive accessory) to put over its container once coals are lit up properly. This will help reduce heat loss within and maximize efficiency & performance!
  • If you are cooking on a grill rack, don’t forget to place it over the lit-up coals at some distance away from your food so that heat won’t burn them too much while cooks!

How to use a Charcoal Chimney Starter?

A charcoal chimney starter is a device that can be used to start coals for grilling. It consists of an open-ended cylindrical metal container with a grate at the base where briquettes or natural chunk charcoals are placed and lit on fire using lighter fluid, usually in combination with paraffin starters (flammable cubes). First you pour the coals into the bottom section of this holder. Then light them up! Once they’re all red hot it should only take about ten minutes before they’re ready to use. If your goal is simply to preheat these pieces of coal then after around twenty minutes turn off the heat and let them sit until you need them while we wouldn’t suggest using an hour.

  • Then carefully pour the preheated coals onto your grill.
  • Tips for using your new Charcoal Chimney Starter
  • Keep the outside of your Chimney Starter clean.

The exterior should be regularly wiped down with a damp cloth to keep it sanitary. You can also use soap and water or vinegar for more stubborn stains, but avoid petroleum solvents, harsh detergents, bleaches, abrasives or other chemicals that could damage the unit’s material.

Store your Chimney Starter in a dry place

If you use it only occasionally, keep the starter out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat such as radiators or appliances to avoid damaging its material over time. If you plan on storing it long term between uses, wrap up the chimney with some plastic sheeting or another moisture barrier—you could even put it inside an airtight container for added protection!200 Pack Fire Starter

  • Never use the Chimney Starter on a flammable surface.
  • Never place your starter on painted, glossy or plastic surfaces—the material could catch fire and melt!
  • Be sure to store in a dry location in between uses.
  • Be careful when removing your charcoal from the Chimney Starter.
See also
How to Inspect a Chimney?

Once you’re done cooking, remove all coals and ash before disposing of them. Carefully take out each coal with long metal tongs or a heatproof utensil so as not to drop hot ashes on yourself! You should also be very cautious if you plan on dumping remaining embers into a trash can—it could catch fire! Always make sure that your starter is completely cool before discarding it in the trash or recycling bin.

Never use water to extinguish hot embers

Water can cause a violent eruption of sparks that could result in injury or damage, so it’s best not to dump out any leftover coals with water! You should instead wait for them all to fully cool before disposing of the ash and remaining charcoal. Using a spray bottle filled with sand is another great way to put out materials inside your Chimney Starter without damaging its material—just make sure those grains are dry first! If you want an even safer method than sand, try pouring baking soda over any leftover embers as this chemical reaction will produce carbon dioxide gas which smothers fire fast. Just be careful if you plan on dumping the burned up chemicals down the drain—the baking soda can cause plumbing issues!

Don’t burn your Chimney Starter

Don’t use or store your starter near flames, open fires or other heat sources to avoid damage and melting of its material. This could also result in the release of toxic fumes which you definitely don’t want inside your home! Always keep an eye on it when cooking outdoors as well. If you accidentally catch the unit alight, never try to put out a wildfire with water like mentioned earlier—it will likely make things worse by splashing burning embers around! Instead, smother any remaining coals using sand (or even dirt if that is all you have) until they are completely extinguished.

Do not store food or drinks inside the Chimney Starter

The material of your starter could be damaged by acidic substances like wine, fruit juices and other delectables! Your starter should also never be used to heat up liquids as this can cause damage to its surface over time. Never place any chemicals in the chimney that are flammable or toxic either—they could release poisonous fumes which you definitely don’t want inhaling! If you need a safe container for storing spices while cooking outdoors, consider repurposing an old coffee mug instead so it doesn’t have direct contact with the hot embers within your tool.

Please remember these tips when using your new charcoal chimney starter – it will definitely make cooking and cleanup a breeze!

Environmental Protection

This product is environmentally friendly because it uses no lighter fluid to start the charcoal.

This product is cost effective and money saving because it uses no lighter fluid or charcoal starter.

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Charcoal chimney starters are more efficient than other methods of lighting the coals for grilling on a barbeque. They require less time to get hot enough to cook on, thus allowing you to enjoy your guests instead of waiting on the grill!

See also
How to install Metal Roofing around Chimney?

Safety Tips

  • Do not expose the lighter fluid to an open flame or extreme heat. Otherwise, it will combust and explode. Make sure there are no sparks near where you are lighting your charcoal chimney starter.
  • Do not use a charcoal chimney starter indoors. If you are lighting it outdoors, make sure your area is clear of any flammable materials such as tree limbs and leaves.
  • Do not use water to put out a charcoal chimney starter fire. You can smother it with dirt and sand, but the best way is to just let it burn itself out.
  • If you can light your charcoal chimney starter in ten minutes or less, do so outside of an enclosed grill. This will prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the grill while roasting low and slow on indirect heat for hours at a time. Give your coals enough time to lose their vibrant orange glow before closing up any vents completely if necessary, though this almost never has to happen when using a standard kettle grill lid thermometer setup.

FAQs

What is a charcoal chimney starter?

A charcoal chimney starter is an inexpensive, efficient tool to use when grilling. It allows for heat control and even heating of coals so as not to burn the food you’re cooking. A good quality version will last years with proper care and maintenance–and save you time on your next barbecue!

What are the benefits of using a charcoal chimney starter?

A charcoal chimney starter provides you with many benefits, including: Allows for quick heating of coals. Provides even heat distribution so your food is cooked evenly and not burned. An inexpensive and efficient tool.

What are the best brands of charcoal chimney starter?

Two popular brands of charcoal chimneys include Weber and GrillPro. These two companies offer high quality, durable products that you can use over and over again in your outdoor cooking space.

How do I clean my grill after using a charcoal chimney starter?

After grilling with coals from your new Chimney Starter, let them cool completely before dumping out any leftover ashes or cleaning it off. Use hot water to spray down the inside until all remnants have been removed; then wipe dry with paper towels or an old towel (not one you’ll want back). Once this is done, store for next time!

When should I season my charcoal chimney starter?

You should season a new charcoal chimney as soon as you get it! To do this, coat the inside of the unit with vegetable oil or any flavorless cooking oil. You can then sprinkle around salt for extra flavoring and easier cleanup after use.

When is the best time to use my Chimney Starter?

Your Charcoal Chimney will be ready when coals are ash-covered across their top surface. This may take anywhere from 15 minutes to 40 minutes depending on how many coals you’re using and outside temperature conditions. Please keep in mind that your grill needs heat control so not only does food taste better but is also healthier than burnt meals!

Conclusion

Make sure you do not put your hands too close to the charcoal as it can get quite hot! It is also important that there is enough room so the starter doesn’t tip over and spill out. One way of avoiding this happenning, is to place a piece of aluminum foil on top of the chimney before adding in the charcoal briquettes. This will help prevent any sparks from flying onto objects such as floors or decking. Then all you need to do is wait for about ten minutes until they light up and then start cooking away!