Which chimney starter?

[Del A]

Have to go with the weber starter,costs more but lasts for a good ten years.
So the cost is about 80 pence per year.

[Pecker]

I have, and would recommend the Weber, too.

A quick word on other models. I also have one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BBQ-Master-Chim ... 955&sr=1-2

I would strongly recommend you DON'T buy one, or one that looks similar.

See the thin metal parts that come out of the body, the turn in an 'L' shape into the wooden handle? Well, they're not actually attached to the wood, they just go in to holes in the wood.

When you have a chimney full of briquettes the weight pulls the thin metal parts out of shape, and the bottom one can spring out of the handle. That's all you need with a chimney full of hot coals!

I still have mine as a spare, and if you're careful and aware of the potential danger, you can use it safely. But I'd never buy another.

Steve W

[Verminskti]

I have two. The el cheapo is smaller and much harder to light. If wind conditions aren't prefect I have to place paraffin block underneath. The weber is larger which can be annoying when I just want enough for 2 people but as I said is easier to light and faster to burn than the other. I think the conical grate is half to do with that.

Anyway I will be buying a third starter as my grill usually needs 3 to sizzle! That will without doubt be another weber one.

[keith157]

You can always part-fill a Weber

Steve I hadn't given the weight part a thought probably due to the pain in my thumb and the haste to dump the contents in the right place

[stretchie_]

I bought a Weber from the local posh garden centre, I've recently been having a problem getting it started but I can only put that down to the paper being used under it.

It worked flawlessly for the first few goes but now the paper burns out and the coals have not caught on, the local rag seems to be a waxy type of paper. I now just fill the started and put it over a gas ring in the kitchen until it starts smoking then take it outside, no problems that way

[London Irish]

I bought a Weber from the local posh garden centre, I've recently been having a problem getting it started but I can only put that down to the paper being used under it.

It worked flawlessly for the first few goes but now the paper burns out and the coals have not caught on, the local rag seems to be a waxy type of paper. I now just fill the started and put it over a gas ring in the kitchen until it starts smoking then take it outside, no problems that way

Try some veg oil on the paper before lighting.

[keith157]

Or just a parafin block (heat beads etc) will work just as well. I don't use newspaper I use the bags from my charcoal, saves binning them and they burn well lighting the charcoal evenly(ish)

[stretchie_]

Two very good ideas, loving the idea of using the coal bag, no idea why I've never thought of it

[Verminskti]

I found that with the weber too though. Really easy to light the first few times and then it got harder. Sometimes I have to repaper and light. Maybe it's a buildup of crud on the grill part stopping heat transfer or something to that effect.

[London Irish]

I found that with the weber too though. Really easy to light the first few times and then it got harder. Sometimes I have to repaper and light. Maybe it's a buildup of crud on the grill part stopping heat transfer or something to that effect.

Not sure how you do it, but ensure you leave gaps for the air to circulate (3 scrunched up balls of paper should suffice), ie don't completely stuff with paper with no gaps.