How do you start your charcoal chimney?

[Huskee]

Yep! But the genius tuna can thing was LA Pork Butt

[Waster]

Isn't that why they made the charcoal bag three layers thick? I just rip off a ring around the top, so as the charcoal goes down in the bag, the top of the bag reduces too. Works wonderfully and is the ultimate recycling!

[radiodome21]

Side burner on my Genesis.

[Sam6687]

i use the homemade firestarters i make for the scouts, cardboard egg cartons filled with dryer lint covered in parafin wax, or 2 sheets of crumpled newspaper.

[Sdell]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flame-King-Propane-Fire-Starter-for-Logs-and-Charcoal-Firepits-YSNFS-02/312423713

Works like a charm.

[Alan Brice]

Melt brand "Fire Starters" pressed wax n saw dust. A little slot in an empty tuna tin under some crumpled paper in the bottom of the chimney. Stand a corner in the tin. If it is a windy day a bit of grease on the crumple. Appx 10 cents ea @ $15 for 160 of them. I think Huskee turned me on to them. Don’t quote

[Alan Brice]

This is a prime example of why I am here.
That is ingenious Thanks. hogdog6

[Panhead John]

I might just give that a shot then. Thanks

[jfmorris]

Panhead John and Steve R. I used the cotton ball and alcohol hack after running out of Tumbleweeds, and finding that Lowe's had neither those nor the Weber starter cubes in stock. I think in the long run its cheaper than the Tumbleweeds, and certainly works in a pinch.

[Steve R.]

Panhead John, Tumbleweeds are the store-bought stuff I have now. Works great, but I'm always on the lookout for a cheaper alternative that also works great.

[Panhead John]

Steve R. I used to use newspaper too. While it does work, it’s kind of a hassle and I didn’t like the bad smelling smoke it gave off. Anyway, if you don’t go the cotton ball route, I really like the tumbleweeds. All it takes is one and they’re pretty good about not going out in windy conditions. That’s all I use these days.

[Steve R.]

I'll give this a shot sometime before my stash of store-bought lighters is used up. I just need something better than newspaper, which burns out way too fast to light the B&B briquets.

[jfmorris]

Steve R. Yes - fill the jar with cotton balls, add alcohol until they are all saturated. Add more cotton balls and alcohol as you use them up.

I fish them out with my fingers and put them in the charcoal, then light with a lighter. Or put it on the ground or grate, light, then place the chimney over it. Or hold with tongs while I light, then place it with the tongs.

[rappture]

Cotton balls soaked in 91% isopropyl alcohol. I keep a pint mason jar of them in garage.

[fracmeister]

paper towel I used to wipe grease up from frying pans. I keep them in a 1 gallon ziploc in the outdoor kitchen fridge. If I am out i add a bit of canola to a paper towel and squeeze it to distribute. never fails.