E500 Charcoal Chimney Starter with 60Pcs Charcoal Starter 7.5-Inch Review (2026)

Who this chimney starter is for

The E500 is aimed at grillers who fire up charcoal regularly but do not own a large drum smoker or a giant kettle grill. Its 7.5 inch diameter puts it in the compact to mid size class of chimney starters, closer to a Weber Rapidfire than to a full size Kingsford or Char-Griller model. That makes it a good match for portable grills, Weber Jumbo Joe style kettles, and smaller offset fireboxes where a huge chimney would be wasted. Anyone smoking full briskets on a large barrel cooker, or filling a big kettle for a party, will likely want a larger capacity chimney or plan on two loads. For weekday grilling, tailgating, and typical backyard cookouts for a family, the size is close to ideal and easy to store in a shed or garage corner between uses.

Design and what comes in the box

The body is built from galvanized steel, which resists rust better than plain steel when left outdoors between cooks. A stay cool, insulated handle lets you carry the chimney once coals are glowing without needing a thick oven mitt, and the wide base is shaped to resist tipping on grates or uneven ground. Vents run along the sides and the bottom of the chamber, which is what pulls air through the charcoal so it lights evenly instead of just at the bottom. The bundle includes 60 natural pine fire starter cubes, enough for many lighting sessions without newspaper or lighter fluid. Loading is simple, crumpled starter or two on the charcoal grate, charcoal on top of the chimney, and a lit starter underneath through the bottom vents.

Everyday use and upkeep

Lighting with a chimney starter instead of lighter fluid means no chemical taste on the food and a more predictable burn. Fill the chamber with briquettes or lump charcoal, set it on the grill grate away from anything flammable, and light the starter cube through a bottom vent. Coals are usually glowing and ready to dump within roughly ten to fifteen minutes depending on wind and charcoal type. Because it is metal with no coating on the inside, ash and creosote build up over time, so knocking out loose ash after each use and letting it cool fully before storing helps it hold up longer. Keep it dry between cooks since galvanized steel resists but does not fully prevent rust if left out in rain.

Trade-offs and how it compares

Against the Weber Rapidfire Compact, the E500 is roughly comparable in scale but throws in 60 fire starters, which Weber does not bundle, so the E500 has an edge on included value for someone starting from scratch. Against larger options like the Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe or the Char-Griller trigger release model, the E500 simply holds less charcoal per load, so it will need a second fill for a large grill or a long cook that needs a big bed of coals. It is also a less established brand than Weber or Kingsford, so long term durability data is thinner, though the galvanized steel construction follows the same basic formula as the established names.

Verdict and who should look elsewhere

The E500 earns its place for casual to regular grillers who want a dependable, mid size chimney with a generous supply of starters included, at a compact footprint that suits portable and mid size grills. It is a sensible upgrade from lighter fluid for anyone still using it. Owners of oversized kettles, large offset smokers, or anyone regularly filling a firebox for a big group should consider a larger capacity chimney like the Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe instead, or plan on lighting two batches back to back. For most backyard use, though, this is an easy, low fuss way to get consistent coals without extra shopping for starter cubes.

Frequently asked questions