How to Use a Kingsford Charcoal Chimney

On this page (9 sections)

1. How do you use a Kingsford charcoal chimney?
2. What should you prepare before lighting the chimney?
3. How much charcoal should you put in the chimney?
4. How can you tell when the coals are ready?
5. How do you pour the coals without spilling them?
6. What should you do if the chimney won't light?
7. How should you handle the chimney after pouring?
8. Which chimney size or lighting method should you choose?
9. What should you remember when using a Kingsford chimney?

To use a Kingsford charcoal chimney, load charcoal into the top, light a fire starter beneath it, and wait until the top coals are covered with gray ash. Then carefully pour the hot coals onto your grill's charcoal grate and spread them for cooking.

Set the chimney on a stable, fire-safe surface outdoors before lighting it. Wear heat-resistant gloves when handling it, and keep children, pets, and anything that can catch fire away from the hot metal and sparks.

How do you use a Kingsford charcoal chimney?

Fill the chimney, light a starter beneath it, and wait for the charcoal to ash over. The chimney's open bottom draws heat upward through the coals, so you don't need to add lighter fluid to the charcoal.

1. Open the grill's air vents and remove the cooking grate if needed.
2. Place the chimney on a stable, fire-safe surface near the grill.
3. Fill its upper chamber with the amount of charcoal you need.
4. Put a fire starter beneath the chimney, then light it.
5. Wait until the top coals show gray ash and the lower coals glow.
6. Wearing heat-resistant gloves, lift the chimney by its handle and pour the coals onto the charcoal grate.
7. Arrange the coals for direct or indirect heat, then replace the cooking grate.

Keep your face and hands away from the chimney opening while it heats. Hot coals can shift or spark as you pour, so move steadily and avoid rushing.

What should you prepare before lighting the chimney?

Prepare the grill, charcoal, fire starter, and a safe place for the hot chimney first. Once it is lit, you shouldn't need to carry it across the yard or search for equipment.

Use charcoal that suits your cook. Lump charcoal and briquettes can both work in a chimney, but their lighting time and burn behavior may differ; follow the fuel maker's guidance.

For a briquette option, see best Kingsford charcoal briquettes.

A natural fire starter cube or another approved starter can sit beneath the chimney. For more options, see our guide to best charcoal fire starters.

If you use wood alongside charcoal, our smoking wood guide explains how to choose fuel for the flavor you want.

Check the area for dry leaves, paper, low branches, and other things that could catch a spark. Keep the chimney outdoors, away from overhangs and enclosed spaces.

Which fire starter can you use beneath a chimney?

Use a starter that can hold a flame beneath the charcoal long enough to light it. Rutland Fire Starter for Campfires is a wood-based and wax cube intended for charcoal, firewood, pellets, and sticks.

Place one cube under the chimney according to its directions, light it, and let the chimney draw the flame upward. Don't handle the cube once lit, and don't use the chimney if the starter or fuel is wet enough to prevent steady ignition.

How much charcoal should you put in the chimney?

Load only the amount your cook calls for. A full chimney gives you a larger batch of lit coals, while a partial load can be more suitable when you need less fuel or a smaller cooking area.

Check your grill's instructions for charcoal placement and heat setup. For a long cook, you may want to keep unlit charcoal available to add as needed, but don't pour unlit fuel onto a fire unless your grill's directions allow it.

Don't heap charcoal above the chimney's rim. A level load is easier to ignite and less likely to spill as you set down or lift the chimney.

How can you tell when the coals are ready?

Look for gray ash on the top coals and a visible glow beneath them. The top pieces should be starting to ash over before you pour; waiting for every piece to turn white can leave the earlier coals burning longer than needed.

Timing varies with charcoal size, wind, and the quantity in the chimney. Start checking after about 15 minutes, but use the appearance of the coals as your main cue.

Don't lean over the opening to inspect the chimney. Keep your eyes and face back from rising heat and smoke.

How do you pour the coals without spilling them?

Grip the chimney's handle with heat-resistant gloves and pour slowly onto the charcoal grate. Keep the opening low enough to control the stream, and don't swing or toss the chimney.

If your grill's grate is still in place, use the grill's intended access door if it has one. Otherwise, lift out the cooking grate before lighting and set it aside where it won't be touched or tripped over.

Spread the coals with a long-handled tool after the chimney is empty. For direct heat, arrange them beneath the cooking area; for indirect heat, bank them to one side and leave space for food on the other.

A chimney starter uses fire and hot metal. Our guide to why use a charcoal chimney starter covers why many grillers choose this method over fluid-based lighting.

What should you do if the chimney won't light?

Check airflow and the fire starter before adding more fuel. A blocked bottom, damp charcoal, or a starter that goes out can slow ignition.

Make sure the chimney's air openings aren't blocked by ash or debris, and use a dry fire starter. If the flame dies, let the chimney cool before clearing or repositioning anything.

Don't squirt lighter fluid onto a burning starter or hot charcoal. If you want to compare other lighting methods, read chimney starter charcoal vs electric.

Can paraffin cubes help start chimney charcoal?

A fire starter cube can provide the flame beneath the chimney. Kamado Joe Pure Paraffin All-Natural Odorless Wax is described as an odorless, smokeless cube for charcoal grills and fireplaces.

Follow the cube's use directions and keep the flame clear of packaging and loose materials. Don't handle a burning cube or move the chimney until the charcoal is ready and you can lift it safely.

How should you handle the chimney after pouring?

Set the empty chimney on a stable, fire-safe surface and let it cool completely. The metal can stay hot after the charcoal has left it, so don't put it in a shed, garage, or other enclosed area while warm.

Keep the grill's vents open or closed as directed for the cooking method. When you're done, let the coals burn out safely or follow your grill's instructions for extinguishing them.

Never leave a lit chimney unattended. Keep water away from hot coals unless your grill instructions recommend a specific method, since sudden steam and ash can create hazards.

Which chimney size or lighting method should you choose?

Choose a chimney that holds enough charcoal for your grill, then match the lighting method to your setup. A larger chimney can suit bigger charcoal loads, while a smaller one may be easier to manage for a compact grill.

Compare options in our guide to the best large charcoal chimney starters. For charcoal smoking, see Best Chimney Starter For Charcoal Smokers and the broader Best Chimney Starter guide.

Choose a chimney if you want to light a batch of charcoal with a starter beneath it. An electric starter may suit a different setup, so consider the space around your grill and how you prefer to ignite fuel.

What should you remember when using a Kingsford chimney?

Use a stable outdoor surface, a dry starter, and a controlled charcoal load. Wait for the top coals to ash over, pour with heat-resistant gloves, and leave the chimney to cool fully before storing it.

If you need a compact batch for a small grill, load less charcoal. If you need more fuel for a larger cooking area, compare chimney capacity and choose a size you can lift safely.

Frequently asked questions

How much charcoal do you put in a Kingsford chimney?

Fill the chimney to the amount needed for your cook, using the grill's instructions or your charcoal's directions as a guide. A full chimney creates more lit fuel than a partial load, so match the amount to the cooking area and the heat you need.

Keep the chimney stable and don't pack charcoal above its rim.

How long does a Kingsford charcoal chimney take?

Allow roughly 15 to 20 minutes, then judge by the coals rather than the clock. The top pieces should have gray ash around their edges and the lower coals should be glowing.

Wind, charcoal type, and how much you loaded can change the time.

Do you close the grill lid while the chimney is heating?

Keep the chimney outside the grill while it heats, on a stable, fire-safe surface. The grill lid can stay open or closed according to your grill's setup, but don't cover the chimney.

Keep the area clear and follow the grill and chimney instructions.

Can you use lighter fluid in a charcoal chimney?

A chimney starter is designed to light charcoal from below, so use a fire starter or approved method in the space beneath the chimney. Don't pour lighter fluid onto hot or lit charcoal, and follow your grill and fuel instructions.

Keep children, pets, and loose materials away while it burns.