Newbie Question: Do you really need a chimney charcoal starter???
Newbie Question: Do you really need a chimney charcoal starter???
by AnImEpRo3609
45 Comments
shmmmokeddd
You don’t need one but I wouldn’t cook so many things over charcoal if I didnt have one.
logan_fish
No.
Valiant-For-Truth
No, but is it useful? Yes.
welshgnome
Need? No. Want? Yes.
Legitimate-Wave-854
Makes charcoal grills easier to get going. Even the small ones get a decent coal bed going. You can also flip it upside down to start like 10 pieces vs filling the whole chimney if you are starting a snake method smoke.
gastropodia42
You can buy more expensive match light charcoal.
You can use an accelerant like lighter fluid.
You can use an electric fire started.
You can use liquid oxygen.
I use the chimney.
Fuegodeth
I’ll never cook on charcoal without one. Game changer from lighter fluid and match light in my early years.
JozieKS
I see it as something that makes life better
LiveInstruction8058
Is it’s a necessity? No, but once you start using one you will think it’s a necessity
aqwn
I use a high power propane burner and put the chimney on top. Coals are ready in a minute. It’s awesome.
Kitchen-Lie-7894
No. But you don’t need a car. You don’t need a toilet.
CanPsychological4710
No, but… For me its a process. I light it up, prep the meet, pour the beer, kick back an relax. What could be better than watching the fire? I can light the whole thing in 5 not 30 min, why would i?
The only limitation with chimney i discovered so far, is size. If you meed a lot of coals, you might want to skip the chimney
Drew_Snydermann
Anything that makes grilling easier inspires people to use it more often. When I gifted a kettle to my friend for his birthday, I also gave him a chimney, a propane torch, and a box of starter cubes. Sometimes I think he likes grilling just to use the propane torch.
trumpsgay1
It’s a great tool! Keeps your food from tasting like fuel and saved money. Also gets the coals going way better and hotter! I recommend the Weber brand it’s worked and stood up the best for me.
GovernmentKey8190
As others have said. It’s easy to use and eliminates the lighter fluid taste. It’s great for both briquettes and lump charcoal.
A chimney is also great for quick and easy campfire starting.
Numerous-Reference62
I would never be without a chimney starter.
Goose_IPA_1990
No but it’s a game changer for me.
Conscious-Ad8493
Yes
MrMavericksFan
You don’t need it but if you don’t have one you better have a lot of twigs, or a bunch of lighter fluid
I’m always doing yard work so I keep a bucket full of kindling, otherwise I’d use one
Busy_Mud_874
Do you need one? No…. But they’re cheap, easy to use and very effective. There’s really no good reason not to have one – unless you’re super impatient and use a blowtorch to start your charcoal, lol.
buttsmokebbq
I cook on grill and a smoker quite often. Good charcoal and a chimney are the best way to go for me.
Lanky_Employment4033
I AINt Eva gONNa stop ISING ONe!
izdabombz
I use mines all the time but it’s not necessary. It’s only like 5-15$ if you can find one used or 12$ at Walmart.
Ru4pigsizedelephants
Not if you have a Weber Summit.
9er4lyphe
You buy one and never have to buy another unless you lose it. Lighter fluid runs out and you’ll have to buy another. Match light is more expensive.
ArizBill
I’m fairly new to chimneys as well. What’s a normal amount of time from light to dump using lump charcoal? Seems like 20+ minutes and even then it’s not glowing or even coating in white ash at that point.
boothatwork
Nah. I take old paper bags, roll it into balls and soak in canola oil. Place them surrounded by coals and light. Takes 15 mins.
Use a leaf blower to speed up after the paper is all burnt.
KAM_520
Yes. You need one. No exceptions.
Desperate_Set_7708
Chimney can also be a cheater grill. Get it blazing and cook directly on it!
Acrobatic-Ad3010
Yes saves so much on time and lighter fluid costs
emansamples92
I feel like I have more control over how the fire is started and how it will burn(especially when smoking) with my looftlighter.
fanzel71
I always use lighter pine. One piece is all you need to get the charcoal going.
kb3ejw14
I’ll never be without mine. It makes lighting up easier.
Dirt_Spartan_Warrior
Agreed. You don’t have to have it but it’s a useful accessory to acquire and use.
Fecal_Tornado
Yes
Findmyremote
Are there better quality chimneys out there that one can recommend?
Mania79
Only reason to save newspapers is for my chimney starter and campfires. It’ll cut your wait time in half for the coal’s especially if you start it from the bottom instead of the top.
EinKleinesFerkel
Yes
Majestic_beer
No you don’t. Some people says that food tastes like lighter fluid, but that is cap.
SaganSaysImStardust
Need? No. Still, it’s the best purchase I’ve made for my dinners.
MurphyPandorasLawBox
Not necessary but it sure is nice. Every fire I’ve lit in the last 8+ years was started in one.
jacksraging_bileduct
Do you need one? Not really, does it make things easier? Absolutely.
45 Comments
You don’t need one but I wouldn’t cook so many things over charcoal if I didnt have one.
No.
No, but is it useful? Yes.
Need? No. Want? Yes.
Makes charcoal grills easier to get going. Even the small ones get a decent coal bed going. You can also flip it upside down to start like 10 pieces vs filling the whole chimney if you are starting a snake method smoke.
You can buy more expensive match light charcoal.
You can use an accelerant like lighter fluid.
You can use an electric fire started.
You can use liquid oxygen.
I use the chimney.
I’ll never cook on charcoal without one. Game changer from lighter fluid and match light in my early years.
I see it as something that makes life better
Is it’s a necessity? No, but once you start using one you will think it’s a necessity
I use a high power propane burner and put the chimney on top. Coals are ready in a minute. It’s awesome.
No. But you don’t need a car. You don’t need a toilet.
No, but… For me its a process. I light it up, prep the meet, pour the beer, kick back an relax. What could be better than watching the fire? I can light the whole thing in 5 not 30 min, why would i?
The only limitation with chimney i discovered so far, is size. If you meed a lot of coals, you might want to skip the chimney
Anything that makes grilling easier inspires people to use it more often. When I gifted a kettle to my friend for his birthday, I also gave him a chimney, a propane torch, and a box of starter cubes. Sometimes I think he likes grilling just to use the propane torch.
It’s a great tool! Keeps your food from tasting like fuel and saved money. Also gets the coals going way better and hotter! I recommend the Weber brand it’s worked and stood up the best for me.
As others have said. It’s easy to use and eliminates the lighter fluid taste. It’s great for both briquettes and lump charcoal.
A chimney is also great for quick and easy campfire starting.
I would never be without a chimney starter.
No but it’s a game changer for me.
Yes
You don’t need it but if you don’t have one you better have a lot of twigs, or a bunch of lighter fluid
I’m always doing yard work so I keep a bucket full of kindling, otherwise I’d use one
Do you need one? No…. But they’re cheap, easy to use and very effective. There’s really no good reason not to have one – unless you’re super impatient and use a blowtorch to start your charcoal, lol.
I cook on grill and a smoker quite often. Good charcoal and a chimney are the best way to go for me.
I AINt Eva gONNa stop ISING ONe!
I use mines all the time but it’s not necessary. It’s only like 5-15$ if you can find one used or 12$ at Walmart.
Not if you have a Weber Summit.
You buy one and never have to buy another unless you lose it. Lighter fluid runs out and you’ll have to buy another. Match light is more expensive.
I’m fairly new to chimneys as well. What’s a normal amount of time from light to dump using lump charcoal? Seems like 20+ minutes and even then it’s not glowing or even coating in white ash at that point.
Nah. I take old paper bags, roll it into balls and soak in canola oil. Place them surrounded by coals and light. Takes 15 mins.
Use a leaf blower to speed up after the paper is all burnt.
Yes. You need one. No exceptions.
Chimney can also be a cheater grill. Get it blazing and cook directly on it!
Yes saves so much on time and lighter fluid costs
I feel like I have more control over how the fire is started and how it will burn(especially when smoking) with my looftlighter.
I always use lighter pine. One piece is all you need to get the charcoal going.
I’ll never be without mine. It makes lighting up easier.
Agreed. You don’t have to have it but it’s a useful accessory to acquire and use.
Yes
Are there better quality chimneys out there that one can recommend?
Only reason to save newspapers is for my chimney starter and campfires. It’ll cut your wait time in half for the coal’s especially if you start it from the bottom instead of the top.
Yes
No you don’t. Some people says that food tastes like lighter fluid, but that is cap.
Need? No. Still, it’s the best purchase I’ve made for my dinners.
Not necessary but it sure is nice. Every fire I’ve lit in the last 8+ years was started in one.
Do you need one? Not really, does it make things easier? Absolutely.
Yes
Yes…you need one.
You don’t need running shoes to run.