How to Make a Chimney Starter (Charcoal Starter)

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Using a chimney starter is a great way to get your barbecue lit without using lighter fluid. You can make your own with items you probably have lying around the house already. The idea is to create a cylinder to hold the charcoal and direct air flow to light the charcoal quickly.

Steps

Discard the label, but keep the bottom. You'll re-attach it later higher up. ^{[1]
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Use the churchkey opener and space the holes about every 3 inches (7.6 cm). ^{[2]
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Use a 5/8-inch and 1/4-inch drill bit. Remember: the idea is to let air through, but to hold the charcoal briquettes. Hammer around the holes when you're done to remove sharp edges. ^{[3]
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These will be to attach the L-brackets. Make sure the holes are approximately evenly spaced (see position of bolts in photo below) and that the width of the hole is slightly less than the size of your bolts. The bottom of the brackets should be about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the bottom of the can. Use the ridges along the can as a guide to ensure that you drill the holes at the same height.
Use the three small bolts. Don't worry if they seem a little loose.
Lift it past the L-brackets and bolts, then push it into place over the brackets. You may have to cut a small nick in the side of the bottom in order to fit it down over the last bolt, or you can remove this bolt and then re-attach the L-bracket. The bottom should fit snugly and secure the L-brackets to the side of the can.
(About 7 inches)
Using a drill bit wider than the head of your bolt, drill halfway through the handle. Finish the hole using a drill bit the same width as the 4-inch bolt. ^{[4]
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Insert the bolt completely through the top hole of the handle and secure it on the other side with one of the nuts. Thread another nut onto the end of the bolt, about ¹ ⁄ ₄ inch (0.6 cm) from the end. Insert the end into the hole on the side of the can (the bolt will remain outside the can). Secure the bolt to the inside of the can with the third nut, then tighten the nut outside the can until it is flush with the can. Tighten all nuts. ^{[5]
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Drill a hole at this mark, then affix the 3 nuts to the bolt and can as in the previous step: 1 against the handle, 1 outside the can, 1 inside the can. Tighten all nuts.
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Tips

To make sure that the holes in the handle are aligned (and your handle will be straight), you should mark a straight line on the handle with a pencil. You may also want to hold it in a vise while marking the line and drilling the holes.

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Warnings

Secure the bottom of the can well while you are drilling the holes.

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Be careful of the sharp edges of the holes. Smooth them out by hammering or crimping with a pair of pliers.

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Things You'll Need

1 large coffee can or other tin can
5/8 and 1/4-inch drill bits
3 small L-shaped metal brackets, with corresponding bolts
2 4-inch long bolts, with 3 nuts each
broom handle
Can opener (turning type)
"Church key" can opener (punch-type)
Power drill
saw

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How to Make a Chimney Starter (Charcoal Starter)

Steps

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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