Chimney starters let you start your grill efficiently and safely without using lighter fluid. When you use lighter fluid you can use too much and get large and scary flames. Not too mention having horrible tasting food. Or you can use too little and oops no fire. What is even more frustrating is when you just don't have any. It's right up there with running out of batteries. I have started organizing my life so that I don't have to keep running out for things - like batteries, lighter fluid, ice. You'd be surprised how much time and energy this saves.

I've seen people go to all kinds of trouble to make their own "coffee can chimney starters." I've watched them jab at the can with every kind of hole maker, fill it up with coals, watch it not light, watch them burn their hands when the coals finally do light and they have to use tongs turn it over because there isn't a handle.

Quite frankly professionally made chimney starters aren't that expensive compared to the cost of your barbecue grill and the meat and seafood that you cook on it. I think you'll find a chimney starter a very wise investment.

Easily start enough coal to heat a 22.5 inch ketting grill in minutes with the Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney starter. All you do is fill the chimney starter with charcoal briquettes. Place some crumpled newspaper or Weber Firestarters under it. Place the chimney starter in a charcoal kettle grill. Touch a match to one of the holes in the bottom. A fire startes quickley and evenly. The Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter measures 12 inches high and 7.5 x 7.5 inches. There's a specially designed handle to keep your hands away from the heat. But please remember you are dealing with an open fire, when in doubt a grill mitt is always a good idea.

The Weber 87886 Chimney Starter works the same way as the Weber 7416. The difference is the size. It measurers 13.2 inches high and is 8.2 x 12.7 inches. You can heat enough hot coals for a 22.5-inch kettle grill. You can start a great fire without having to smell the fumes from a solvent-based fire starter. And you don't have to worry about a chemical after taste. Built to last with sturdy materials.

Get your charcoal burning hot and ready to grill in about 15 minutes. Using the Lodge Charcoal Chimney Starter is very easy. Begin by putting a few pieces of crumpled newspaper in the section below the grate. Then fill the top section the the amount of charcoal you need. Light the newspaper at the bottom through the vent holes. Once your charocal has heated up, pour it into your grill. You don't need to use any lighter fluid, which is better for the environment and makes you food taste better. The Lodge Charcoal Chimney Starter is made from heavy gauge steel and measuers 12 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide. While there is a heat shield to keep the handle from getting hot, you might want to have a grill mit ready just in case. Always a good idea when your grilling.

This is probably the best looking chimney starter on the market and it's a little bit smaller than the first 3 described above - which is perfect if you're grilling for one or two people. It measures 6-5/8 inches x  10-1/8 inches x 10-7/8 inches. The heavy-guage stainless steel cylander holds up to 5 pound of charcoal. The wooden handle has a stainless steel heat shield to minimize heat. But it's always good to have a grill mitt to use. You are dealing with an open fire after all. So you can never tell when you'll need added protection. Your charcoal will be hot and ready in about 15 minutes.

Quickly light and heat up to 4 pounds of charcoal with the Strathwood Chimney Charcoal Starter. It's tough because it's made with rust-resistant galvanized metal. It has a wooden handle to make lifting it easier and safer. It measures 10.8 inches x 7.4 inches x 12 inches. With this chimney charcoal starter there's no need for lighter fluid, so you're food will taste better.

Have up to 4 pounds of smouldering coals in under 15 minuts with the Char-Broil Chimney Coal Starter. There's a bamboo handle for easy unloading. The handle has a heat shield to help keep it cool. The chimney starter measures 10.5 inches in height and has a diameter of 6.5 inches. No need for noxious lighter fluid.