Outdoor grilling is a favorite summer pastime, but obtaining and sustaining the proper temperatures for optimal cooking is often a challenge. This issue is practically solved by the introduction of a variety of charcoal starters that enable grilling enthusiasts to reduce the wait time associated with heating charcoal. The top ten charcoal starters that are described below help summer time cooks spend less time behind the grill and more time enjoying the company of family and friends.
1. Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter
The Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter is a grilling accessory that allows barbecue enthusiasts to fire up their grills quickly and efficiently. The chimney starter container is durably made of aluminum and steel which resist rust and oxidation. The metal canister is large enough to accommodate a batch of hot coals for a 22.5 inch kettle grill. The stay-cool, plastic handle is a great safety feature of the product, and consumers save a little money when they use the Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter because they no longer need to use lighter fluid.
2. Weber 7447 Compact Rapidfire Chimney Starter
The Weber 7447 Compact Rapidfire Chimney Starter heats up charcoal briquettes for smaller than standard grills. Both the standard and compact Weber Rapidfire starters’ designs are similar, and they feature sturdy metal canisters with ventilated openings at the units’ bottom. This design allows consumers to heat up charcoal briquettes for a Smokey Joe-styled grill within 15 minutes or less.
3. Char-Broil SureFire Electric Charcoal Starter
Users of the Char-Broil SureFire Electric Charcoal Starter claim that the appliance is one of the easiest ways to light charcoal for their grilling needs. The electric starter features a compact metal shaft that has an internal heating element for quick fire. The unit is not battery operated, and it must be used near an electric outlet. The starter has a heat resistant handle for safe operation. The starter’s wand-like design is less bulky than standard chimney starters, but it seems to do the advertised job just as well. However, consumers who purchased and used the product warned others about potential hazards of laying the ultra hot starter on inappropriate surfaces directly after using it.
4. OUTXPRO Charcoal Chimney Fire Starter
The OUTXPRO Charcoal Chimney Fire Starter offers grilling enthusiasts a way to get their outdoor festivities moving quickly and safely. The chimney starter’s design only requires that users place the metal canister over a lit piece of newspaper, and charcoal briquettes heat evenly for use within 15 minutes. No chemical lighter fluid is needed when heating coals with this unit. The starter comes with a real, hardwood handle that stays cool to the touch throughout its use.
5. BBQ Dragon Charcoal Starter and Fire Supercharger
The features of the BBQ Dragon Charcoal Starter make it one of the most versatile of the fire starters in its category. This unit relies on abundantly available oxygen in the surrounding air to bring lighted charcoal briquettes to controlled, high temperatures. The blower comes with a heavy-duty clip that doubles as a stand so that the unit can be used hands-free on nearly any grilling surface. The Dragon Charcoal Starter is designed to supercharge fires for grills, camp fire pits and fireplaces. Although there is no heating element used in the device, the manually controlled blower is advertised to help heat Big Green Egg grills to 700 degrees in two minutes.
6. Char-Griller Charcoal Chimney Starter
The Char-Griller Charcoal Chimney Starter comes with larger than standard capacity which is ideal for consumers who want to heat up numerous pieces of charcoal for large grilling surfaces. The starter’s distinguishing feature is its bottom drop design that allows users to conveniently and safely empty the hot coals from the bottom of the chimney starter canister. Consumers who used the product gave it mainly good reviews, but some complained that the bottom dropping mechanism of the chimney starter broke after frequent use.
7. Charcoal Companion Chimney Charcoal Starter
The chimney starter by Charcoal Companion allows users to heat up to five pounds of charcoal in 15 minutes. This chimney starter heats hot coals that have been placed within the starter’s canister, and it uses a lighted piece of newspaper as its heat source. The unit’s canister is constructed of heavy-duty steel, and the product’s handle is made of naturally heat-resistant rosewood. Charcoal Companion offers consumers five year warranties with the purchase of its charcoal starters.
8. Outdoor Nation Chimney Charcoal Starter
The chimney charcoal starter by Outdoor Nation is constructed of aluminized steel that resists corrosion. The appliance heats charcoal by using lighted newspaper sheets that are placed underneath the unit. The chimney starter’s canister hold up to five pounds of charcoal, and it has a wooden handle for safe transport of the device. Outdoor Nation manufactured its chimney charcoal starter to include an integrated heat shield that stands between the canister and the unit’s handle.
9. Char-Broil Half-Time Charcoal Starter
Char-Broil’s Half-Time Charcoal starter is designed to heat large amounts of charcoal in half the time that it takes users to heat coals in the manufacturer’s standard chimney fire starter. The initial heat sources for the appliance can be either lighted newspaper or Char-Broil’s specially formulated fire starters. The product comes with a heat shielded, thermal-resistant handle. The generous size of the unit’s canister allows users the flexibility of using charcoal lumps as well as briquettes.
10. GrillPro Chimney Style Charcoal Starter
The GrillPro Chimney Charcoal Starter holds up to two pounds of charcoal, and it only takes about 10 minutes before the coals are ready to use on compact grilling surfaces. The unit performs without the help of dangerous chemicals like lighter fluid. The design features a metal canister, wooden handle and a heat shield to protect hands from the canister’s high heat. Consumers liked that the product kept coals evenly fired at high temperatures even on windy days.
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