Best Charcoal Starters & Chimney Starters 2026
The single best upgrade for charcoal grilling is a chimney starter — no lighter fluid, no petroleum taste, perfect coals in 20 minutes. We compared the top charcoal chimney starters, electric starters, and firestarter cubes to help you pick the right tool.
In This Guide
- Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter — Best Chimney
- Kingsford Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter — Best Value Chimney
- Looftlighter Electric Charcoal Starter — Best Electric Starter
- Zippo 17960 Outdoor Utility Lighters & Firestarters (20-Pack) — Best Firestarters
- Grillman Premium BBQ Charcoal Smoker Pellet Tube — Best for Pellets
- Ignik Fire Can Portable Propane Fire Starter — Best Natural Starters
- Charcoal Starter Buying Guide
- FAQ
1. Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter
The Weber Rapidfire is the industry standard charcoal chimney starter — reliable, durable, and essentially unchanged in 20 years because it doesn't need changing. The 7.5-inch cylinder holds enough briquettes for a standard kettle grill session. The cone-shaped bottom drops easily over two sheets of newspaper or a single firestarter cube. The rolled-steel handle has a heat shield that actually protects your hand at the pour angle. Coals are fully ashed over and ready to use in 15-20 minutes — consistently, every time. At around $20, it's the best dollar-for-dollar purchase in the charcoal grilling ecosystem. If you charcoal grill and don't own a chimney starter, this is what you need next.
Pros
- Industry-standard reliability
- Lights coals in 15-20 minutes
- Heat shield handle actually works
- ~$20 — immediate ROI vs lighter fluid
Cons
- Single handle — no side grip
- Needs a fire-safe surface for use
- Can be overkill for very small grills
2. Kingsford Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter
The Kingsford Deluxe adds one meaningful advantage over the Weber Rapidfire: a second side handle for controlled two-handed pouring. When you're dumping 5+ pounds of 800°F charcoal, a two-handed grip is meaningfully safer than a one-handed pour. The ventilated bowl design promotes airflow for fast, even lighting, and the capacity matches the Weber. At around $25, it costs $5 more than the Rapidfire for that dual-handle design improvement. If you grill at high volume or cook for large groups, the additional control at pouring time is worth the premium.
Pros
- Dual-handle for safer two-handed pouring
- Matches Weber capacity
- Ventilated bowl promotes fast even lighting
- ~$25 — slight premium over Weber
Cons
- Slightly heavier than Weber Rapidfire
- Kingsford brand quality below Weber tier
- Handle can get warm on extended heats
3. Looftlighter Electric Charcoal Starter
The Looftlighter is the most clever charcoal lighting tool ever invented: a handheld electric air blower with a heating element at the tip that gets hot enough (1,256°F) to ignite charcoal in 60 seconds by directing superheated air at the coals. No newspaper, no lighter fluid, no waiting 20 minutes. Hold the tip 1-2 inches from a briquette for 60-90 seconds until it glows, then wave the Looftlighter back and forth over the coal bed to spread the ignition. The entire grill is ready in 3-4 minutes with practice. At around $49-59, it requires an outdoor outlet, but if you have a deck outlet and value speed above all else, this is genuinely the fastest way to start charcoal.
Pros
- 60-second ignition — fastest option here
- No newspaper, lighter fluid, or firestarters needed
- 1,256°F tip ignites charcoal and wood
- Great for kamado grills where chimney is impractical
Cons
- Requires outdoor electrical outlet
- ~$49-59 — highest price in this category
- Cord length limits mobility
4. Zippo 17960 Outdoor Utility Lighters & Firestarters (20-Pack)
Firestarter cubes are the superior newspaper alternative for chimney starters — they light in wet conditions when newspaper won't, burn hotter and longer, and don't scatter ash. Zippo's outdoor firestarter cubes are made from all-natural wood fibers and paraffin wax — no petroleum smell in your food. Each cube burns for 8-10 minutes, long enough to light a full chimney. The 20-pack covers a full season of grilling. At around $9-12 for 20 cubes, they're cheap enough that using two cubes per session (for faster lighting) is a reasonable luxury. Keep a box with your grill tools and never struggle with soggy newspaper again.
Pros
- Burns in wet conditions unlike newspaper
- All-natural wax — no petroleum odor
- Burns 8-10 minutes — long enough for any chimney
- ~$9-12 for 20-pack — very affordable
Cons
- Disposable — ongoing supply cost
- Single use per session
- Not as fast as Looftlighter
5. Grillman Premium BBQ Charcoal Smoker Pellet Tube
The pellet tube smoker is specifically useful for adding smoke flavor to gas grills and pellet smokers — it's not a charcoal starter in the traditional sense, but it's the tool for anyone who wants real wood smoke on a gas grill without converting to charcoal. Fill the stainless steel tube with wood pellets, light one end with a torch lighter, and place it on the grate. It smolders for 3-5 hours, producing authentic wood smoke flavor. The hexagonal design keeps it from rolling on the grate. At around $15-20, it's the cheapest way to add real smoke flavor to any cooking setup.
Pros
- Adds real wood smoke to any gas or charcoal grill
- 3-5 hours of continuous smoke
- Hexagonal design prevents rolling
- ~$15-20 — excellent value
Cons
- Not a traditional charcoal starter — different use case
- Requires a separate torch lighter
- Pellets cost extra and must be sourced separately
6. Ignik Fire Can Portable Propane Fire Starter
For outdoor environments where newspaper and firestarter cubes aren't practical — wet camping trips, high-altitude sites, locations where fires need to start reliably on first attempt — the Ignik portable propane fire can is the professional solution. It connects to any 1-lb propane canister and produces a concentrated, wind-resistant flame sufficient to start even wet charcoal or fire pit wood. Used by wilderness guide companies and outdoor event caterers who need reliable ignition regardless of conditions. At around $49, it's overkill for backyard grilling but the right tool for serious outdoor cooking or fire pit ignition in challenging conditions.
Pros
- Wind-resistant propane flame — works in any conditions
- Reliable ignition in rain, cold, altitude
- Connects to standard 1-lb propane canisters
- Used by outdoor professionals
Cons
- ~$49 — expensive for a lighter
- Requires propane canisters (ongoing cost)
- Overkill for typical backyard grilling
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when charcoal is ready?
Charcoal is ready when the briquettes are covered with a thin layer of light gray ash — usually 15-20 minutes after ignition in a chimney starter. Do not cook over black charcoal (still igniting) or still-flaming coals. Wait for the full gray ash coating, then spread the coals as needed.
How long does a chimney starter take in cold weather?
Cold temperatures slow charcoal ignition. In temperatures below 40°F, add 5-10 minutes to the typical 15-20 minute light time. Use two firestarter cubes instead of one, and shelter the chimney from wind. Pre-warming the chimney with the firestarter before adding charcoal also helps.
Can I reuse unburned charcoal?
Yes. Close the grill vents after cooking to snuff the coals. Unburned charcoal that has been extinguished with closed vents can be reused in the next session — add fresh charcoal on top and light normally. Charcoal that was doused with water cannot be reused.
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