How to start a fire with a Charcoal Chimney

Lighter fluid is one of the easiest ways to start a charcoal fire. I used lighter fluid like crazy when I started out grilling. The problems I have with lighter fluid are that fluid isn't cheap and it also leaves a certain taste on the meat.

One day I heard about a chimney starter. A chimney starter is a cylindrical shaped metal structure with a small grate at the bottom. It allows you to start your charcoal quick and easy. You no longer have to spend any money on lighter fluid.

 

The way it works is as follows. Flip the chimney starter over. You will have a small space on the bottom that will allow you to fill it with rolled up newspaper. Get a sheet of newspaper and roll it up diagonally like you would a handkerchief and put the ends together to make a circle.

Now insert this circle in the bottom of the cylinder and repeat the process again. Once you have 2 sheets inside the cylinder then turn the cylinder right side up.

 

Place the cylinder on a surface that can take the high heat that the charcoal will produce. You may want to put it on the grill surface or a place that you won't mind possibly burning a mark into. Choose the place carefully as it will recieve a large amount of heat.

Fill the cylinder with the amount of charcoal you want to use. Light the newspaper and let it burn completely and it will then light the charcoal from the bottom up.

You do not want to wait until it is all ashed over as the charcoal at the bottom will be spent. Once you have some of the charcoals starting to ash over at the top then you may want to dump the charcoal into your grill.

Once you have dumped it then place your chimney starter in a safe place. It will be extremely hot and will take some time to cool down.

Now you have a way to start your charcoal easy and without having to buy fluid over and over.