How to Barbecue: How to use a Chimney Starter

Used mine this evening as it got delivered this morning, and how fast my charcoal was ready to cook with, great tool.  Thank you for the introduction.

Hi, I got a bit frustrated with my husband taking so long to light the BBQ so I have just finished making my own DIY charcoal chimney starter and I really appreciate this "how to...". MY DIY project cost €2 to make! I used a catering size chopped tomato tin can, cut the top and bottom off, used a church key to punch holes along the bottom for vents. I screwed 4 screws into can about 1" from bottom vents and replaced the top of the can and pushed it down to where the 4 screws were. I made a handle with 2 L shaped shelf fittings and a piece of broom handle and recycled an old coffee tin for a shield from the heat and attached this to the handle. I cannot wait to use it tomorrow (Irish weather permitting of course). Hubby will be coaxed into watching your video first!!! Thanks you

Loved this video! I have never used one of those and was debating between the electric starter and this option. I not only liked the way that you explained things but I love your humble spirit ...anytime you deal with the Internet , social media etc...you can expect all the " experts" to come out of the woodwork lol ..you handle yourself so well ...❤❤❤thanks for the tips

I love how you tossed the lighter fluid away. I learned about the chimney starter 7 years ago, and I haven't touched lighter fluid since then.

I just lit my charcoal grill on the first try with the help of a chimney starter, and this very informative video. Thank you for making it!

Thank for this video, clear instructions, very helpful! I'm actually getting a Weber Kettle Grill tomorrow and this will help a lot once I put the thing together haha. I used to have a gas grill and it was old and decided to change it up, so as a first-time charcoal grill owner this will be a good video to reference once I get started.

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching.

We've watched this three times, so far. We have learned not to rush the process. Thanks so much for your videos.

Thanks I'm going to grill early in the morning and surprise my husband, for Father's y. Great video 👍

thank you for making this video! it's very thorough with some great tips

Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate how YOU choose to do this. It cleared up a lot of confusion for me. Even if I don’t end up doing it exactly you way, it was really helpful and worth my time to watch. 😀

This video was exactly what i needed, looked at like, three other videos and they beat around the bush trying to point out every tiny feature and be all scientific about it, your video was on point!

Thank you for this video! I finally picked up my chimney starter and I’m looking forward to using it!

Thank you very helpful.  Got my first chimney, watched this video and I was good to go.

 I used to use lighter fluid (which I have nothing against), but since using the chimney I would never use anything else. It also has the benefit of acting like a measuring cup for when you want a specific amount of charcoal. Another good feature is that you can turn it upside down for when you only want to light a few briquetts like for starting a low and slow fire. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video.

Glad to see you toss the lighter fluid. I've been using hard wood charcoal and a chimney starter for years now. I also put some brown cardboard soaked in vegetable oil in it and it really gets burning pretty quick.

Thanks a lot. I have seen this done on cooking shows, but they run through it so fast, you really can't tell. This gave me all I need to know.

Thumbs up for throwing out the starter fluid, scared me for a minute! Cheers!! 

Quality Detail... Just yesterday I was about to get one at Home depot, the instructions weren't clear on how to use it so I opted for the tumbleweed fire starter and lump charcoal. Thanks for the clear and easy instructions.

I agree with all the comments about using very little newspaper. Starts the charcoal faster. I spray the paper with oil and that produces a good flame. I haven't used briquettes for years, since the stores began selling Lump Charcoal. It's what my father and his friends used in Argentina for the weekend "asado".Sort of a ritual, it was, and still now briquettes are unknown there. For larger cooks seasoned chunks of wood were lit at around 10 in the morning, by 4 in the afternoon people aproached the meat with some bread in the left hand, sharp knife in the right and cut themselves a slice of their favorite beef or maybe a chorizo or two. Chimichurri, Malbec, friends and family completed the day. I do really appreciate your effort in helping people with an informative video. It's one of the best things about You Tube.