How To Use The Weber Chimney Starter For Lighting A Charcoal Barbecue

Save time and use the Weber Chimney Starter to light your charcoal BBQ

This short video shows you how to use the Weber Chimney Starter; this essential piece of kit is a fool proof way of lighting your charcoal BBQ. It cuts the time between lighting and cooking by half; from the usual 30 – 40 minutes to around 20. There are 2 sizes of Starter available, a large one for the larger barbecues and a smaller one for the portables, Go-Anywhere’s, the Smokey Joe’s and the smallest smoker. The amount of charcoal or briquettes you put into the Chimney will determine the heat of the BBQ; the more fuel the hotter the BBQ. With practice you will be able to determine how much fuel to use for your style of cooking.

 Take out the cooking grate and place the chimney starter on the lower grate; pour in the fuel, this way any dust goes into the bottom of the BBQ not all over your patio. Place 2 Weber Lighter Cubes onto the bottom grate and light them; don’t use ordinary household firelighters as they can give off noxious fumes which could taint your food. Once lit place the Chimney Starter over them and wait for your charcoal to heat. You know it is ready when the coals are glowing and the top layer is covered in a fine white ash.

Using a pair of heat-proof gloves, take the Chimney in both hands, using the handles provided, and pour the coals into the BBQ. If you are going to be using a variety of cooking methods use the char baskets to hold the fuel; place them both in the centre if you are going to be cooking by the direct method or one to each side of the BBQ if using the indirect method of cooking. Place the still hot Chimney Starter on the rack underneath the BBQ as it will mark a lawn or decking. Replace the cooking grate, put down the lid and give it a few minutes to heat the grate then you’re all set to cook.  

For more hints and tips on barbecuing just get in touch with our expert staff in The Barbecue Shop here in store or check out our videos on our Youtube channel.