Charcoal Chimney Starter BBQ Grill Lighter Barbecue Fire Starter Review (2026)

Who this fire starter is for

This is aimed at charcoal grillers who want to stop using lighter fluid and its chemical smell, and who do not already own a chimney starter. The chimney method works by drawing air up through burning paper or fire starter cubes at the base, which lights the briquettes stacked above evenly without soaking them in fluid first. It suits anyone on a tight budget who wants to try the chimney approach before spending more on a name-brand model, and anyone who already grills with charcoal regularly and is simply replacing a worn-out starter. It is less suited to buyers who want documented capacity, a known handle design, or a track record from a recognized barbecue brand, since the listing itself is light on those specifics.

How the chimney method works

The product description outlines two ways to get it going: the clean route using one or two lighter cubes or fire starter squares placed on the charcoal grate before the chimney is set over them and lit, or the traditional route of crumpling newspaper underneath. Either way, the metal cylinder's vents pull air up through the burning fuel at the bottom, which lights the charcoal stacked above it far more evenly than piling briquettes in a heap and lighting the edges. This is the same basic principle every charcoal chimney uses, and it is what lets a chimney starter light a full load of briquettes in well under twenty minutes without any fluid at all, once the fire catches properly at the base.

Using it safely

Once the top coals are glowing and lightly ashed over, the charcoal is ready to pour into the grill for cooking. The listing warns that the chimney stays hot for a while even after the coals have been poured out, so it should be set down on a stable, heat-safe surface such as concrete or gravel rather than a wooden deck, a table, or anywhere near dry grass or other flammable material. Because it is a plain metal cylinder, handle it with a grill glove rather than bare hands once it has been in use, and let it cool fully before storing it away, ideally somewhere dry so it does not rust between grilling sessions.

Where it stands next to name-brand chimneys

In the site's chimney starter guide this model sits last, rank 7 of 7, with a score of 6.5, mainly because the listing does not publish capacity, gauge of metal, or handle details the way its rivals do. The Char-Griller Charcoal Grill Chimney Starter includes a quick release trigger for dumping coals without tipping the whole cylinder by hand, a genuine convenience feature this basic model lacks. The Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe Chimney Starter leans on a recognized barbecue brand name and a larger capacity chimney built for bigger cookouts. Both rivals score well above this one in the guide, largely on the strength of clearer build specifications and added handling features rather than the basic lighting mechanism, which is shared across nearly every chimney starter on the market.

Bottom line

Buy this if you want the cheapest possible way to try chimney-style charcoal lighting and are not picky about brand name or extra features like a quick-release trigger. It does the core job, since any chimney starter that draws air properly through the base will light charcoal evenly without fluid. Look at the Char-Griller or Kingsford models instead if you want documented capacity, a sturdier stated build, or added conveniences like a trigger release, especially if you grill often enough that a starter needs to hold up over many seasons. For occasional weekend use on a budget, this is a workable, unglamorous choice.

Frequently asked questions