Fastest Way to Light a Charcoal Chimney Starter | Paper Towel Roll Chimney Method
Рет қаралды 52,500
5 жыл бұрынThe Fastest Way to Light a Charcoal Chimney Starter | Paper Towel Roll Chimney Method
Some of the links below are affiliate links, and you'll support our family by allowing us to earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. We thank you for supporting us as we continue to bring you the best in outdoor cooking!
► Charcoal Chimney: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Kingsford charcoal: amzn.to/3NvcehV
► Shop our favorite products:
thebarbecuelab.com/shop/
Outdoor Cooking Appliances
_________________________________________
► Pellet Grill: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Offset Smoker: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► XL Kamado: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Gas Grill: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Outdoor Griddle: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Pizza Oven: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Accessories
_________________________________________
► GrillGrates: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Grate Cleaning Brush: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Grill Cleaning Spray: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Grilling Gloves: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Nitrile Gloves: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Apron: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Grill Tools: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Large Spatula: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Burger Press: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Vacuum Sealer: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Pork Racks: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► BBQ Sprayer: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Cooler: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Fire Starters
_________________________________________
► Electric Fire Starter: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► GrillGun: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Lump Charcoal: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Smoking Pellets: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Fire Starter: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Kindling Cracker: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Thermometers
_________________________________________
► Instant Read Thermometer: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Infrared Thermometer: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► 4 Channel Thermometer: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Control Fan: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Probe Storage: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Outdoor Kitchen
_________________________________________
► Doors & Drawers: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Refrigerator: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Ice Maker: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Sink: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Gas Grill: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Pro Burner: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Griddle: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Pellet Grill: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Outdoor Living Products
_________________________________________
► Smokeless Fire Pit: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Patio Furniture: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Knives
_________________________________________
► Brisket Knife: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Steak Knives: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Boning Knife: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Chef Knife: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Paring Knife: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
Consumable Items
_________________________________________
► Mail Order meat: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Chicken Rub: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Steak Rub: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► BBQ Rub: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► All Purpose Rub: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Brisket Rub: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Beef Tallow: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Hot Sauce: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Duck Fat Spray: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Butcher Paper: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
► Foil Bucket Liners: thebarbecuelab.com/recommends...
@lexicoughlan4868 5 жыл бұрын
Very helpful, I would've never thought of this technique before! I can't wait to try it out at my next barbecue!
@marywisner1390 3 жыл бұрын
This worked better and faster than any method I've ever used, including a torch. Thank you very much! I don't always have paper towel tubes, but I can make triangle cardboard tubes by folding pieces of those Amazon boxes that are already around.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
That's a great idea Mary! We're going to have to try that.
@crisaguilera8376 4 жыл бұрын
Just spray a little cooking oil on each sheet of paper you crumble under the starter and it will cause the paper to burn longer to light your coals.
@peterruppert7856 Жыл бұрын
Damn that's a good idea......
@xeropunt5749 2 жыл бұрын
It’s truly been said that “time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted”
@GSP225 3 жыл бұрын
Worked like a charm with briquettes...almost too good. Coals ready in 12 minutes. Awesome!
@harrycalderbank6715 2 жыл бұрын
I have tried this twice now but only had a toilet roll tube which is obviously much shorter. Pleased to report it works brilliantly. My coals were ready in just 12 to 15 minutes each time - about half the time it used to take! Thanks for the great tip guys!
@AaronMerritt87 2 жыл бұрын
Instead of paper or paraffin cubes I use the bag the charcoal comes in. If you use it right you can tear off a 5 inch section or so all around the top, crumple it up with plenty of air pockets in the crumples and throw it under the chimney. It burns hot and slow and you don't have to throw away the bag. I get a good chimney in 15-20 mins every time.
@rcollup Жыл бұрын
Exactly ! Not to That galvenized chimney is full of poisonous fumes
@patriciabryar2062 Жыл бұрын
Well did I ever show my husband how to successfully light charcoal 🤣🤣 This was awesome! Game changer! Thank you!
@MayanPatel1 2 ай бұрын
Awesome concept. I might try making a tripod with some metal skewers in place of the tube, hopefully a reusable option
@TheBarbecueLab 2 ай бұрын
Let us know how it goes!
@bigronsrub 4 жыл бұрын
Use a sterno under the chimney, then screw the top back on to reuse multiple times. Been doing it for years.
@wesleypipelayer7627 4 жыл бұрын
That’s a good tip. I need to try that. Especially when sterno cans last a pretty long time.
@dunebillydave222 8 ай бұрын
This has become my S.O.P. for starting my starter. The tube creates a path for heat and air to flow up the center of the stack. Pulling fire up through the core with no obstructions really accelerates the whole process of lighting the charcoal. And God knows I have no shortage of cardboard paper towel tubes, so it doesn't cost a penny.
@jnorm7168 3 жыл бұрын
This is awesome!! I basically do the this but without the paper towel, i use tongs to make an air tube. This is going to help big time! The only other thing i do is add a crunched up paper towel ball soaked in cooking oil, lasts a long time.
@joshuasmith5802 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I've tried this method half a dozen times over the last few weeks and won't look back. The speed with which the coals light is certainly an advantage, but best of all is how *evenly* they light. Using a chimney alone, I find that the coals on the bottom are fully lit and ready to go well before the coals on top are ready, but now they all start to ash over at the same time, so I get maximum production from the briquettes.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
You’re absolutely right Joshua. It’s a huge advantage as we’ve noticed the same thing lighting our big offset. Keep on smoking!
@wardharker7215 2 жыл бұрын
That is a great idea. I just started using charcoal and this is great info!
@baileyj123 3 жыл бұрын
Great idea. Love the chimney but hate the wait. I will start doing this from here on out
@resatyurdakul6742 3 жыл бұрын
Dude, you're a genius. I tried your method... and it worked like a charm. Thank you for sharing.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome! All the best Resat.
@strandedshooter9686 5 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, I grabbed a chimney earlier this summer but haven't used it yet just out of not knowing how, but hopefully will use it soon after seeing this.
@jeffstaples347 Жыл бұрын
I made a 'chimney' from tin foil, and I'm gonna add this into the mix for next time
@timothydemoss7496 Жыл бұрын
I put the full chimney on the side burner of my gas grill. it fits perfect and it lights way faster than that did.
@billwhite2818 3 жыл бұрын
Works good!
@roypatterson6133 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you I thought I was the only one who has problems with opening the bag. I've never heard anyone else mention that.
@resatyurdakul6742 3 жыл бұрын
I actually use my teeth
@birther1968 4 жыл бұрын
brilliant
@BigLewBBQ 5 жыл бұрын
Very neat idea! Thanks
@yanceylott9843 11 ай бұрын
I usually buy a small bag of match start charcoal and put 2-3 in the bottom of the chimney first and then light.
@wesleypipelayer7627 4 жыл бұрын
I find, it works better if you set the chimney on a grated rack or similar that alllows maximum airflow
@TheBarbecueLab 4 жыл бұрын
Great tip Wesley!
@mcmarshall12345 10 ай бұрын
I put a 1/2 inch piece of rebar in my chimney, then the charcoal. And pull it out before lighting. I think a smaller hole works better.
@qekkb1234 3 жыл бұрын
I grab mine by the wire handle and swing it pushing a lot of air through. I will try the paper towel tube method next time, thanks for sharing.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
Let us know how it goes
@Jason-pt3gw 4 жыл бұрын
Melissa! You had one job! Lol. Nice video though.
@chadbebault3351 4 жыл бұрын
I have switched to an electric heat gun and I am very happy with how well it works, I use highest heat setting with medium fan and then once the coals are well lit I turn heat low and fan to high.
@TheBarbecueLab 4 жыл бұрын
We've been seeing those coming on the market, and we're going to have to give them a try here on the channel soon.
@jimmypage632 3 жыл бұрын
Use the side burner on your propane bbq
@FrankFergusonN Жыл бұрын
You’re a genius!!! Lol!!
@jimmypage632 Жыл бұрын
@@FrankFergusonNI kinda am. Glad I could teach you something! 😉 You are welcome.
@charcoalcharger5601 4 жыл бұрын
Take a look at the Charcoal Charger. The tube design increases the chimney effect like you describe with the paper towel roll but we actually create a flame all the way through the column lighting charcoal even faster.
@duaynedraffen6200 4 жыл бұрын
I did take a look. Seems like a decent product, except: 1. You get only 1 tall tube (and 4 small ones) per package) 2. The package is $4.95, but shipping is $10!! Bottom line, not ready for mass market.
@charcoalcharger5601 4 жыл бұрын
Duayne Draffen thank you for your feedback. Right now we have a pack with 3 talls, a pack with 6 small and a pack of 2 talls and 2 minis. Unfortunately shipping is the hardest part as a start up. We are always working on decreasing that cost. Thank you again
@duaynedraffen6200 4 жыл бұрын
@@charcoalcharger5601 Thank you for your concerned, helpful response. I didn't see a pack with only full size tubes, so I must have overlooked that. Best of luck to your company!
@Sheeeeeeeeeeeeiiitt 2 жыл бұрын
Battery powered leaf blower or small fan set on high.
@klong1972 3 жыл бұрын
17 min is standard to not using a paper towel roll.
@seasonings2taste115 3 жыл бұрын
Fastest I’ve done is in my kamado. Fill the grill with lump. Light the to with a fire starter or torch. Just give it a minute to burn. Close the lid, open the vents and grab a hairdryer. Blow it in the bottom vent and give it a few minutes. I’ve gone over 1000 degrees this way before
@tobyharris9484 2 жыл бұрын
I use the same technique but I twist a peace of paper and place it in the tube, then I put just enough lighter fluid on the paper to ignite the fire. It starts from the top and works its way down which seems to start it a little faster.
@xeropunt5749 2 жыл бұрын
That’s really really helpful! As there will be tubeless times..
@getkraken8064 Жыл бұрын
A chimney starter is such a simple design, you'd think somebody might come up with a chimney with a built-in thin metal perforated tube up the middle to achieve the effect even better and part of the device itself. Sell zillions.
@TheBarbecueLab Жыл бұрын
Sounds like someone needs to race to the patent office and start printing money. I'd buy one.
@getkraken8064 Жыл бұрын
@@TheBarbecueLab Now I'm thinking why not just make the metal tube fitted to standard bottom hole size, attached with magnets.
@gunnaremilsson7298 3 жыл бұрын
I light mine with newspaper and I am ready to dump in 15-20 minutes, same time as you. Only I am using high grade lump charcoal like Royal Oak, Big Green Egg. etc.
@wvdavidr 4 жыл бұрын
I think you are onto something! I have tried using paper towel and toilet paper cores. I haven't measured the time, but I'm sure it is quicker! I notice a center core of really hot charcoal before the top is gray. I'd recommend a better chimney than you showed: Weber or BBQ Dragon. The Dragon with the forced air Dragon (fan) will have the charcoal ready before you have your glass of wine and food ready!
@TheBarbecueLab 4 жыл бұрын
We would love to put the BBQ Dragon to the test against the paper towel roll method. I think that would make a fun test to video here on the channel.
@erichumphries4662 4 жыл бұрын
I use strike a fire from Home Depot it’s giant match like sticks. I always have a chimney ready to dump in under 20 min
@SOTOWAYTRUCKYAUTOREPAIR 4 жыл бұрын
You put in with the charcoal? Or where the paper goes?
@tzourb9410 4 жыл бұрын
Mellisa through a charcoal in the paper tube at 2:14.
@TheBarbecueLab 4 жыл бұрын
Nice catch! Looks like we're going to have to do this one again and expand to some new methods as well. Look for that video coming soon!
@KingGeneral21 Жыл бұрын
great idea but I wouldn't say the charcoals were ready in 17 minutes, most of yours looked unlit
@ALWAYSLOUDNEVERQUIET 2 жыл бұрын
I will use a smoker tube in place of the roll.
@thaprototype Жыл бұрын
Seems like it would be less smokey too since it lights faster
@IzzyEatz 2 жыл бұрын
Get the Oklahoma joe fast lighter chimney..... super fast light up
@crocopie 3 жыл бұрын
I just make a small mound of charcoal, light up a small candle, then pile up a few more charcoal at the top. It works well for me. But then, I'm just using a tiny smoker at 14 inch diameter. I use only around 20 to 25 lump charcoal for a single cook. Perhaps your method would be best if I were using a large offset smoker.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a great way to light charcoal Lester. This video is more about the idea of how we can incorporate a way for air and fire to flow freely around more of the charcoal when lighting it up. There's always more than a single way to light charcoal, and I love that our community is always experimenting at finding a better way.
@gosman949 5 жыл бұрын
I use one paraffin lighter and no roll. No problem with lighting it up.
@TheBarbecueLab 5 жыл бұрын
We've experienced 1 paraffin lighter cube not being enough a couple of times in the past year to get it going, but we do admit that our charcoal chimney is quite large and it takes awhile to get fully engulfed.
@mellowfellow9 2 жыл бұрын
oh man... I just made a tube from aluminium ducting with holes/slots punched in it for the same concept. I'm going to try it today. The cardboard tube def looks easier.
@TheBarbecueLab 2 жыл бұрын
How did it work?
@mellowfellow9 2 жыл бұрын
@@TheBarbecueLab it actually worked really well! I stuffed the tube twisted oily paper towel. That, plus the amount of air going through it made lighting the coals to the top so easy. Just need to be careful removing the tube
@TheBarbecueLab 2 жыл бұрын
@@mellowfellow9 I bet that tube was screaming hot, lol. Sounds like a great way to do it though!
@mellowfellow9 2 жыл бұрын
@@TheBarbecueLab screaming hot was right... grabbed it with the tongs but it slipped coming out. Luckily it landed on some soil where I bury ashes. need to put make a handle for the next time
@bradleyfriend1482 2 жыл бұрын
I know I'm going to get blasted for this, but here goes... My air conditioner unit is not far from my grill. I wait for the newspaper to mostly burn and ash up the bottom coals. This takes around 2-3 minutes. Then I take my chimney starter to (wait for it) the fan on my AC unit and place the starter atop the fan where only 10% of the fan is blowing on the coals. The rest is to the side and the air is blocked. If I place it completely over the fan, it's too violent with sparks. I haven't timed it, but it probably takes 5 mins. Anything to feed a hungry, angry family faster...
@martinsimmons5668 Жыл бұрын
Well that is a great idea but it was a very inaccurate comparison because you compared newspaper as the fuel to start it, to paraffin cubes? how can you change the starting fuel & say the paper towel tube makes it better? I have a feeling that the paper towel tube is absolutely better but try it again both ways using newspaper and compare with the paper towel tube with nothing else different.
@darjohnsom9368 4 жыл бұрын
the best way i found is Iuse the side burner on my gas grill, turn it on high set my chimney on top and let it burn for 5 min or so( longer if you wish) if you keep the burner on it's not long before you have a chimney of red hot coals works very well
@TheBarbecueLab 4 жыл бұрын
Great idea!
@Vicflash 4 жыл бұрын
Neat idea but we don't go through enough paper towel rolls to match grilling rate.
@wvdavidr 4 жыл бұрын
You can use toilet paper cores, too.
@duaynedraffen6200 4 жыл бұрын
If you are in a cold climate and do not grill in the winter, save them up during that time.
@terrybo5924 4 жыл бұрын
Same here. There's too many paper towels in landfills when regular towels you launder perform the same task.
@hoboonwheels 2 жыл бұрын
I don't understand. Every video I watch about using a chimney looks nothing like what I've experienced. Mine gets huge flames, sometimes over a foot above the chimney for 15 minutes or so. By the time I see the coals with whitish color and put them in the grill, it seems the grill never gets real hot. Like, I never have flare ups, and not much sizzle when I put whatever it is I'm cooking on. Why do I get so much fire in my chimney? I don't see what I am doing wrong, lol.
@MimiKeel 3 жыл бұрын
After I smoke a brisket/ribs, I save the oily butcher paper it was wrapped in, and use it to light the chimney.
@TheBarbecueLab 3 жыл бұрын
Nice re-use of materials Mimi!
@albertadelrio4148 3 жыл бұрын
Yep, toilet paper rolls paper core stucked together
@xeropunt5749 2 жыл бұрын
But….it’s not the most desirable mix of hygienics.
@CWBush73 2 жыл бұрын
What is the chimney sitting on?
@TheBarbecueLab 2 жыл бұрын
Great question CWBush73. That's an old basketball goal installation that the previous owners of the house cut down to the metal and concrete. Now I use it to light charcoal chimneys so I don't get a mess on the driveway.
@jonguy4337 2 жыл бұрын
In 20 minutes I'm already cooking spritz a little bit of lighter fluid on my bricks Start cooking
@timprice5932 Жыл бұрын
She let a coal fall down the center
@jefftrotter5802 2 жыл бұрын
I used a toilet paper roll and aqua net . Burned my eyebrows off.
@odom2142 3 жыл бұрын
Hair dryer
@carvedwood1953 2 жыл бұрын
The day I buy starter cubes or cakes or whatever to light my charcoal is the day I quit cooking over charcoal. But instead of just shitting on ideas. When I am in a bind and forget my chimney or go camping without it, I will trim the fat cap off of whatever I am cooking and throw that on top of a couple dry sticks which goes on top of a piece of paper or whatever is flammable. Any fat or oil will extend the flame and light it faster. Normally I save the fat to make tallow, but this works too.
@Siloguy 2 жыл бұрын
Yeah , I don't see the need to use dedicated charcoal starters, I just use the paper towel or napkins I've soaked in oil to lubricate the grill to light the chimney. Its never taken more than 20 minutes which is what this method took.
@tommyd2235 4 жыл бұрын
If you can’t get it started with paper then you’re doing it wrong.
@yukonstriker1703 3 жыл бұрын
@2:12-2:14 Melissa let a briquette fall down the paper towel roll, perhaps 2. Bye-bye airflow ;) Fail That's NOT a fully engulfed chimney of charcoal LOL Outer briquettes are still black but that's beside's the point, Kingsford is shit!
@wallyj2000 2 жыл бұрын
I think this is a waste of time it takes up space in the chimney where you can use actual charcoal I don't know how it took you 17 minutes to light the charcoal pretty much any charcoal is ready in about 15 minutes so this was saving no time but taking up space in the chimney
@aaronsullivan2247 Жыл бұрын
its better for small cooks....a chimney is essentially a measuring cup for how hot you want your coals.
@jasons5726 2 жыл бұрын
Umm… 17 minutes is an improvement??? Seriously?!?!? I’m pretty sure if you did the same test side by side with a regular chimney full of coals you’ll see no difference whatsoever. You’re also losing 6-8 coals by doing it this way so your fire isn’t going to last as long. We’re probably only talking 5 or 10 minutes of more time, but why bother with a method that doesn’t improve your light time, and takes less fuel out of a cook?
Poly Holy Yow Spanish
Рет қаралды 27 МЛН
Smoking Dad BBQ
Рет қаралды 54 М.