Questions and Answers for Weber Rapidfire Chimney Charcoal Starter

A:  Probably around 20- 25. It works great.

A:  This item holds approximately 100 standard briquettes.

A:  Hello, Thanks for your question! The Rapidfire Chimney Starter can hold around 100 standard sized briquettes. Thanks!

A:  2-3 pounds. read the review.

A:  It varies depending on the type of briquettes you use. I am using hardwood briguettes which are not uniformly shaped, and it seems like I can use anywhere from 20-30 pieces. I haven't tried the regular evenly shaped coal ones. but think you could possibly use up to 30-50 pieces. I found the attached video on YouTube using Kingsford coals and found it very helpful. Hope you do too. Happy Grilling !

A:  I place the chimney on a concrete block or on the grill when starting the fire. Obviously, it gets really hot so I place it back on the block once the coals are out of it.

A:  No, he can use it right on the grill top or on a piece of stone etc... I use mine on the patio ground since it's just flagstone so there's no damage. You should get him the starter cubes though! They work great (instead of messing with newspaper). Model # 7417 Internet # 202843410 Store SKU # 449427 Lighter Cubes (24-Pack)

A:  You can sit it on your grill while it's "cooking" the coals, but it'd be best to have a few bricks to set it on. It will break concrete if you use it there.

A:  Hello, Thank you for your question! The Rapidfire Chimney Starter should be used on the charcoal grate of the grill. When it is done being used, it should be left to cool on a non-flammable or combustible surface. Storing the device inside is recommended. Thanks!

A:  I started the chimney on my gas grille, which sits nearby. Chimney definitely should sit on a grate while getting the coals burning. You could also use the smoker grate, then remove it to place white coals in the lower section.

A:  It depends. During use I find it easiest to sit on the bottom grate of the smoker or on one of the food grates (depending how he's using the smoker). If you have a sidewalk or porch or some sort of hard surface to set the hot chimney on after use, that is best. I set mine on a tile porch, and it dissipates it's residual heat quickly. You could also set it on another grill grate if you have another grill nearby. In general, just don't set the chimney on a wooden deck or burnable surface while in use or within the 10 minutes after dumping the lit charcoal out.

A:  Just place your chimney starter on the coal grate while the coals are burning (not the cooking grate). Then after you pour your lit coals in the grill, just place the empty hot starter either on something that won't burn such as a concrete patio or on an old grill if you have one, as it will be hot for a few minutes. But It cools within minutes and can be stored under your grill if it has an extra rack or somewhere out of the way.

A:  I bought a piece of granite floor tile from the tile department to set it on while it is still hot to avoid burning my deck. When you light it you put it straight on the grates.

A:  I sit mine on the grill to start the charcoal, and once hot pour hot charcoal out and set the starter on some surface that can stand heat for about 10 minutes for it to cool. Like a brick, rock etc. This thing is so much better then using started fluid and works much faster.

A:  During use you can either use this on the grill itself and then set it aside later but it gets hot so it'd be best to have 4 bricks to set it on during cooking/cooling.

A:  Bonly, I've never counted the actual quantity of briquettes that the chimney holds. However, with a 20lb bag of Kingsford, I can usually get 3 and sometimes 4 chimney's full. So, by that math, maybe between 5-7 lbs per chimney full. Hope that helps!

A:  Weber says 95 to 100. This is at the Weber site and Weber answered a previous customers question here on the Home Depot site. https://help.weber.com/faqs/149/how-many-briquettes-can-the-weber-rapidfire-chimney-starter-hold

A:  It holds quite a few, enough to BBQ for 2-3 people. It really works great.

A:  I use about a dozen briquets.

A:  Hello, Thank you for your question! Our Rapidfire Chimney Starter holds approximately 100 standard briquettes. Thanks!

A:  Yep, it takes about 2x as long and requires lighter fluid.

A:  Yes, you certainly can. The benefit of the chimney is that it lights much quicker than a pile of coal, and it also lights much more evenly. You won't have cold spots and everything will be the same temp. Also, some people don't like using lighter fluid or the pre-soaked charcoal, so this chimney allows you to use a less toxic fuel, like paper. No lighter fluid needed.

A:  I Fill the starter with natural hardwood charcoal ,and crumple a sheet of newspaper with my left hand under the starter and place it on top the grate , when the paper is lit you get tremendous updraft ( chimney effect ) and all of the coal will ignite evenly and give you a red hot bed of coals , simply lift the grate and distribute as needed ,for direct grilling or to the side for indirect grilling

A:  Hello, Thanks for your question! The Rapidfire Chimney starter is a great tool for getting your coals burning faster, and more evenly than just about any other method. Learn more here on Weber.com: http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/blog/how-to-use-a-chimney-starter. Thanks!

A:  This just makes the charcoal starting process easier by consolidating the briquets.

A:  You could. But when you pile all the coals on top of each other and hold the heat inside the starter, you get great consistent ignition every time

A:  Yes, you can place the coals in the old pyramid shape and light with news paper, lighter fluid or lighter cubes, but after using the chimney I will never go back to that method. The chimney consistently and quickly lights the charcoal thoroughly and evenly. The big handle then lets you pour it into the grill. However, if you have a very large grill and need a lot of charcoal, this chimney may not hold as much charcoal as you might want. But I like the chimney so much, that I would invest in a second if that was the issue. Once I used the chimney, there was no going back to the old pyramid method.

A:  The coals just won't start with paper alone. You either need those little coal starter pellets or some chimney type of starter. (I've seen people use a coffee can with both top and bottom removed but they don't have a handle) Don't use starter fluid, as it will affect flavor. The rapidfire works great with the Weber smoky mountain smoker.

A:  Steve, you could light your charcoal this way, but the coals would take longer to light, and they wouldn't light evenly. This starter gets all your charcoal lit quickly by concentrating heat into a small column and does the job very quickly. If you're switching from gas and plan to grill frequently, this item is a "must have". I'm on my third starter in 6 years. My first one was a non-Weber product that I would not recommend. This item is a quality product that will last for years and it is WELL worth the investment! A standard brown grocery bag fits nicely beneath the charcoal grate when wadded up and works well to start your charcoal.

A:  The problem with putting the coals on top of newspaper in your grill is that you might smother the paper before it can light the chimney. The chimney basically has two sections: a bottom section where you put the newspaper and a top section where you put the charcoal (either lump or briquettes - NO MATCHLIGHT). The two sections are separated by a wire grate which keaps the coals from falling onto the paper and smothering it. There are also holes around the base and on the sides of the chimney. These allow for airflow to help get the coals going in a timely manner. I find that if there isn't enough of a breeze, a small handheld fan or superior lungs will help.

A:  Yes it works with any size charcoal grill. You fill it up with charcoal, put some paper in the bottom, light the paper and come back about 10-15 minutes when the top portion of your coals are starting to burn. After the coals have all lit you dump out the charcoal and get to work!

A:  It can be used with ANY charcoal grill, but it does not get 'installed'. Simply remove the cooking grate and set the filled chimney on the charcoal grate, then light it. After charcoal is ready and dumped onto charcoal grate, you set the chimney aside on a heat safe surface. Replace the cooking grate, and grill.

A:  Hi thanks for your question! The chimney starter works with all charcoal grills! There is no need to install it. Here is a link to a blog to guide you on how to use it:http://www.weber.com/weber-nation/blog/how-to-use-a-chimney-starter.

A:  You don't "install' this on your grill. You can set it on your charcoal grate to light, but I set mine on bricks on the sidewalk. This will fit nicely on your original Weber grill, and you should not try to close the lid while the charcoal is lighting - it will simply slow down the process, and I don't think the lid will close anyway.

A:  The Chimney charcoal starter does not need to be installed. You just pour your coals in the top and crumble about three sheets of newspaper to put in the bottom. Do not make a tight ball with the paper. Hold a lighter or match to the bottom and it should catch fire right away.

A:  Mine was delivered to my home free in 3 days. Maybe you are in wrong zip code.

A:  Thank you for your recent inquiry with The Home Depot. This item is currently in stock online. It can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home, business, or local store. For any other questions, please call us at HomeDepot.com Customer Service 800-430-3376. Thank you for shopping Home Depot.

A:  Absolutely. It is not flammable in itself.

A:  I don't know. They have it in the store, but I ordered online and picked it up. Very easy.

A:  Yes, it can be delivered to your home. There is nothing flammable about it.

A:  Just newspaper (or some paper towel) and a match.

A:  You just need three full pages of newspaper wadded into balls, stuffed in the bottom of the chimney, and one match. The whole point of the chimney starter is to get away from lighter fluid and the smell it makes when it burns, which can affect the taste of your food. The side affect of chimney starters is that they can get your coals lit in about 15-20 minutes, ready to rock.

A:  Just newspaper and a match will do.

A:  If you want to get the paper to burn a little longer to light the coals, sprinkle some conola (or any cooking oil) over the top. That way it wont burn up so quick. It acts like a wick in a lantern, and no harsh chemicals!! enjoy!!

A:  Do not use lighter fluid. That defeats the purpose. All you need are newspaper and a match. Light the paper in more than one place. I've also used notebook paper, old junk mail and cardboard.

A:  With quality charcoal that is 'Matchlight', I generally find that a bit of newspaper & a match is all you need with this chimney. There are a few instances, however that I have needed to douse the charcoal with some fluid. The chimney speeds up the process from start to cook-ready.

A:  Just add newspaper.... No lighter fluid needed at all

A:  No, never use lighter fluid. Try taking a piece of newspaper and roll it from one corner to the opposite corner. Form it into a circle by pressing it into the chimney starter from underneath and do the same thing to a second sheet. With it turned upside down, spray both sheets of newspaper with non-stick cooking spray. Turn it back over and add some basic Kingsford charcoal. Take care not to place the chimney under an awning or anything else that will burn and do not place it on top of anything that is flammable. Put a flame onto the paper, and you will have success. Don't move the chimney wearing flip-flops or while barefoot, and you won't be hurting. This is a simple but great product.

A:  I use the Weber cubes. I place them on top three of them just under the coals, works great. Easier than messing with newspapers, etc. Weber Lighter Cubes. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lighter-Cubes-24-Pack-7417/202843410

A:  Just newspaper and a match. I actually prefer one of the long butane grill lighters, but a match will work.

A:  It is made by Weber Corp. in Palestine, Il, just outside of Chicago, Il.

A:  The chimney starter is made by Weber Corp. in Paletine , Il. just outside of Chicago.

A:  Made in the USA

A:  Made in China.

A:  Mine says Made in China or Taiwan.

A:  You could use an electric fire starter if you want, but it would take longer.

A:  No. Nothing else is needed. There's a wire shelf inside that the charcoal sits on, creating a space in the bottom where you put crumpled up newspaper. About three sheets works pretty good. Just lite the paper, and the paper lites the charcoal. This thing is awesome.

A:  I think you can use an electric fire starter with it, but you risk making a red hot mess when you pull it out once the coals start to light. I prefer to use a heat gun to "supercharge" the fire once the bottom coals have caught fire after the newspaper.

A:  No it is not designed to work with an electric fire starter. It uses crumpled up newspaper placed in the bottom of the chimney starter to ignite the charcoals.

A:  No, this takes the place of an electric starter. You wad up some paper in the bottom, fill the chimney with charcoal, place the setup on a fire-safe surface (I use bricks on my back sidewalk), and light the paper.

A:  Yes, it works with an electric fire starter. That's what I use.

A:  No need to use an electric starter. I assume you are referring to the electric starters that heat up and glow red to start your coals. Just follow the insructions and use paper and a match.

A:  just need to crumble some newspaper place it under the chimney and light it the updraft will get the charcoal going. i.e. the chimney affect, hot air rises pulling in cooler air. make sure the bottom vent is wide open on your grill

A:  Just use everyday newspaper like 3 waded sheets forget the firestarter thing you don't need it

A:  If it's the kind that you stick a hot probe into the coal, then yes, just put the starter inside the chimney, then pour the coal around it and use the electric starter.

A:  everyones definition is different of large but I put between 30 and 40 standard briquettes and its not even half full. It should be able to take about a hundred briquettes

A:  You left out how large your coal grate is, whether or not you are doing direct grilling, or indirect grilling or smoking. When I cook, I vary between 1-3 grills, and I have four chimney starters so I can keep my fire at the desired temperature.

A:  It'll hold a pretty good amount. I've got the larger sized Weber Kettle grill and it fills it great. You can always through more briquettes on the hot coals after you pore them out.

A:  This is a fairly large chimney. It will hold at least half again what my current one will and that covered my 18 weber grill and also fills my smoker coal basket.

A:  Yes. It covers the grate off my traditional style Webber with a single evenly distributed layer. If you use zone cooking or indirect heat, you'll have enough for more than a single layer. I would suggest picking up a second chimney if you need more.

A:  yes. this one is larger in diameter than many generic chimneys. if you stack it up, you should have a good thick layer of coals. This might be the biggest starter i've seen.

A:  depends on how large your grate is but it holds more than most.

A:  noe, all you need is a match and two pages of the news paper.

A:  about 40 briquets

A:  Yes, if you fill it to the top, it will have enough charcoal to fill a weber grill. Also, if you need more coals, you can always light a batch, take a few back out using your tongs and get another batch going quickly.