The large charcoal chimney starter is the one we point most people to. It holds about 50% more charcoal than our compact chimney, and its base grate is held by arms that pass right through the cylinder wall instead of rivets, so it stands up far better to the repeated heat-up and cool-down that wears cheaper chimneys out.
Fill it with Nature Flame charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal, put 3 or 4 wood wool firelighters under it, and the chimney's draft does the rest. No lighter fluid, no chemical taste on the food, and the coals come out evenly lit instead of black on one side and white on the other.
At 19 cm across and 22.5 cm deep inside, one load is enough to grill on a 57 cm kettle or to set up a two-zone fire, and it's a sensible size for topping up a spit roaster or charcoal grill mid-cook.
Why the Large Charcoal Chimney Is Built Tougher
A chimney lives a hard life: it goes from cold to several hundred degrees in minutes, gets tipped full of hot coals, then cools again. Rivets holding a base on are the weak point, because the steel expands and shrinks around them every time.
On this chimney, the base is a ring grate with three arms that pass through slots in the cylinder wall and hook on the outside. There are no rivets to shake loose, so the base holds on far longer than a riveted one.
The concentric rings let air in from underneath while holding the charcoal up off the firelighters, and the rows of holes around the lower body pull more air through as the fire builds.
How to Use a Charcoal Chimney Starter
- Take the cooking grate off. If your BBQ has bottom vents, open them.
- Put 3 or 4 wood wool firelighters on the charcoal grate and light them.
- Fill the chimney with charcoal and stand it straight over the flames.
- Wait until the top coals start to grey over and you can see flames at the top. That's usually about 15 to 25 minutes for lump charcoal and 20 to 30 for briquettes, depending on the wind and how dry the charcoal is. Don't wait for every coal to turn white; the bottom ones will be burning away.
- Wearing heat-resistant gloves, hold both handles and tip the coals out where you want the heat. Pour them all to one side for a two-zone fire.
- Stand the empty chimney on brick, concrete or the BBQ's charcoal grate to cool. Never on grass, timber or a plastic table.
Fits and Compatibility
Works with any charcoal BBQ you can pour coals into: kettles, kamados, charcoal grills and mangals, spit roasters and offset fireboxes. It stands on the charcoal grate of most kettles to light in place.
Lights briquettes and lump charcoal. For low and slow cooks, use it to light a part-load and pour it over unlit charcoal.
If you need a chimney that packs away inside a small portable BBQ, the Fold-Up Charcoal Chimney is the better fit.
Care and Maintenance
- Let it cool fully before storing; tip out the ash first.
- Store it somewhere dry. Galvanised mild steel discolours with heat, which is normal and doesn't affect how it works.
- Don't quench a hot chimney with water.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | ProFlame |
| Type | Round charcoal chimney starter |
| Inside diameter | 19 cm |
| Inside height | 22.5 cm |
| Approx. volume | 6.4 L (calculated from inside size) |
| Material | Galvanised mild steel |
| Base | Concentric ring grate, arms locked through the cylinder wall |
| Suits | Briquettes and lump charcoal |
Erik's Tip
If you're only buying one chimney, make it this one. The smaller one does the job, but this base holds on much better. In my experience it lasts around ten times longer than a riveted base, and the extra capacity means one load is enough for most cooks.
Which charcoal chimney do you need?
 Large Heavy-Duty Charcoal Chimney Starter
$25.00Viewing now |  Compact Charcoal Chimney Starter
$15.00View |  Fold-Up Charcoal Chimney Starter
$20.00View | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round | Round | Square, folds flat |
| Inside size | 19 cm wide Γ 22.5 cm high | 17 cm wide Γ 19 cm high | 21 Γ 21 cm top, 18 Γ 18 cm base, 18 cm high |
| Approx. volume | 6.4 L | 4.3 L | 6.9 L |
| Base fixing | Ring grate locked through the cylinder wall | Riveted plate | Wire grate clipped into pressed-steel tabs |
| Material | Galvanised mild steel | Galvanised mild steel | Galvanised mild steel |
| Storage | On a shelf | On a shelf | Folds under 7 cm, fits inside most BBQs |
| Best for | Regular use, kettles, spit roasters, kamados | Small grills, occasional use | Camping, portable BBQs, tight storage |
FAQs
Large or compact chimney: which should I get?
For regular use or anything bigger than a small portable grill, the large. It holds more and its locked-in base grate is the tougher design. The compact chimney starter suits occasional cooks on small grills.
Can I use lump charcoal in it?
Yes. Lump catches faster than briquettes, so check it a few minutes earlier.
Do I need lighter fluid?
No, and don't use it. 3 or 4 wood wool firelighters underneath is all it takes.
Where do I put the hot chimney after pouring?
On brick, concrete, pavers or the BBQ's charcoal grate, away from anything that can burn, until it's cool enough to touch.
Delivery, returns and help
πShipping Informationπ
How much is shipping?
Our product pages include a built-in shipping calculator to provide accurate shipping costs based on your location.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Delivery times depend on your location:
East Coast (Major Cities) β 1-4 business days
Regional Areas β May take slightly longer
West Coast (Major Cities) β 5-10 business days
International Orders β 7-16 business days
Orders placed before 2 PM are usually dispatched the same day. If you need your order urgently, message us in this chatβweβll do our best to help!
Delivery details will be included in your confirmation email.
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If you're not happy with your item, simply return the unused item to us within 30 days of receiving it for a hassle free exchange or refund. More details here: Refund policy
πDo you have any further questionsβ
CONTACT US
If you have any questions at all about any of our products or any of our policies feel free to call, text or email and we will do our best to assist you.
Tel: +61492 278 237
E: admin@sydbbqs.com.au
Showroom and Pickup location:
Unit 18 / 79 Williamson Rd
Ingleburn NSW 2565 Australia
π€Who is Sydney BBQsβ
MeetΒ Erik & Suzie, the dynamic duo behind Sydney BBQs & Rotisseries!
Our journey began in 2019, amidst the whirlwind of early parenthood. We decided to embark on a little side venture, leveraging our shared passion of BBQ. Having grown up with family BBQs, almost on a weekly basis, charcoal and sizzling grills felt like old friends to us.Our humble beginnings saw us selling charcoal from the confines of our garage. To our surprise, the demand was huge, with pallet loads flying off the shelves faster than we could stock them. It was clear we had stumbled upon something special. Fast forward five years, and our little side gig has blossomed into a comprehensive online emporium. From charcoal to rubs, grills to rotisseries, and an array of accessories including spit baskets, gyro discs, skewers, gloves, smoker tubes, and beyond, we've got all your BBQ needs covered.But it doesn't stop there. With loyal customers all over Australia, we're thrilled to announce the next chapter in our story: The grand opening of our very ownΒ shopfront. It's been an incredible journey, and we couldn't have done it without the unwavering support of our BBQ community. Here's to many more years of sizzling success!
Weβve built Sydney BBQs & Rotisseries with passion, and our customers have been a huge part of that journey. See what they say about us!