Weber 87886 Chimney Starter

I was not sure if this contraption would work but once I tried it I was completely sold. Just a couple of newspaper pages, some charcoal on top and in a few minutes, voila, they are all red flaming HOT. No more lighter fluid, no more burned hairs on my arms or eyebrows. It's a miracle.....

My wife laughs at how much I gush over this little $10 cylinder of metal. I would gladly do a cheesy TV testamonial for this thing.

I don't need to add any more specifics to whatever has already been written. If you have a charcoal grill, then buy this device. It works, it's cheap, it's simple, it's genius.

I was a bit surprised at how well this device works. It's a quick and efficient way to light your charcoal. I bought a package of small "firestarter" sticks to place underneath the device when lighting the charcoal and it works great. This device makes it unnecessary to use lighter fluid or "matchlight" charcoal.

I've had numerous chimney starters over the years and they are all pretty much the same, except for this one. Webber for some reason put a plastic handle on it that gets waaaayyyyyy too hot to touch. In the past, they have always had wooden handles, and picking them up to dump them out was not a problem. Now I have to keep a pair of gloves by the grill just for this one issue. Otherwise it's a quality item, that seems to be holding up nicely. I gave it 2 stars just because I think its a pretty serious design flaw, with a very simple solution.

When in the old days of charcoal you started you fire, you used lighter fluid. Small amounts of fluid would remain and end up on your food, resulting in a distinct flavor. Not exactly what you want to be serving to your family or important guests. My family has 4 weber grills, and at some parties, they've all been going at once. We used the electric starters which are much better than fluid, however they take quite a while to get going and even then they work unevenly. From the first time I've used this device I was converted. Everyone I know with a grill has been subject to my sermon, and those who were slow to purchase them received a chimney as a gift. I couldn't stand to watch the painful process of using the electric any longer.

To start a weber charcoal chimney.
1) fill chimney top with charcoal.
2) place 2 sheets of crumpled up newspaper underneath .
3) light paper.
4) wait.

It's more environmentally friendly than fluids or electric too.