Charcoal starters are a useful tool for lighting charcoal quickly and easily when grilling. Using a charcoal starter allows you to get your charcoal ready for cooking faster than the traditional method of mounding charcoal and lighting. Quality charcoal starters are designed to rapidly and safely ignite charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal chunks. Starter fluid may be used with some models to accelerate heating. Once the coals are lit and covered in white ash, they’re ready to be carefully poured into your grill to spread heat evenly for cooking. Electric, chimney, tumble basket and torch styles offer hands-off convenience. Consider key factors like your budget, grill type, typical weather conditions, and cooking needs when selecting the best charcoal starter for your barbecue setup. With the right starter, firing up charcoal for your next cookout can be a breeze.
Our Top Picks For 2025
Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter
The Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter is a high-quality charcoal starter designed to quickly and evenly light charcoal for grills and smokers. Made by Kingsford.
The Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter is an essential tool for anyone who enjoys cooking over a charcoal grill or smoker. This charcoal starter features heavy duty construction and is designed to light charcoal fast and evenly.
Key Features:
- Large capacity chimney design lights charcoal quickly
- Durable zinc steel construction with stay-cool handle
- Vented charcoal base and circular air vents for maximum airflow
- Built-in heat shield protects hands from heat
- Compact size, measures 10.74” x 6.8” x 11.25”
- No assembly required, ready to use out of the box
The Kingsford Heavy Duty Deluxe Charcoal Chimney Starter is the ideal accessory for lighting charcoal fast without the need for lighter fluid. Its high-quality design and performance make it a must-have for grill masters.
Nature's Flame Premium Pine Fire Starters by FireChief
All-natural, eco-friendly fire starters made from 100% pine wood shavings and food-grade paraffin wax. Burns clean and hot for 8-10 minutes to easily start campfires, fireplaces, grills, and more. 108 count box provides enough for all your fire starting needs.
Looking for an easy, quick way to start a fire without lighter fluids or chemicals? Nature’s Flame Premium Pine Fire Starters are the perfect solution. These all-natural fire starters from FireChief are made in the USA from 100% biodegradable pine wood shavings and food-grade paraffin wax.
The tightly packed wood shavings ensure these fire starters light quickly and burn clean and hot for 8-10 minutes, providing plenty of time to get your campfire, fireplace, grill or other fire going strong. The paraffin wax coating makes them water resistant so they work even in wet conditions.
With 108 fire starters per box, you’ll have plenty for lighting fires all season long. Nature’s Flame Premium Pine Fire Starters are:
- All-natural and biodegradable
- Made in the USA
- Burn hot and clean for 8-10 minutes
- Water resistant
- 108 count box
For easy fire starting without chemicals or mess, choose Nature’s Flame Premium Pine Fire Starters by FireChief. Get your fire going fast with these eco-friendly, high-performance fire starters.
Masterbuilt MB20091521 Fire Starters
Masterbuilt fire starters are odorless, smokeless paraffin wax cubes that make lighting your charcoal grill quick and easy. The 48-count pack provides enough fire starters for multiple uses.
The Masterbuilt MB20091521 Fire Starters make firing up your charcoal grill a breeze. These handy fire starters from the trusted Masterbuilt brand offer the following benefits:
- Odorless, smokeless cubes burn up to 1300°F to ignite charcoal fast
- Pack of 48 provides enough for multiple grill sessions
- Pure paraffin wax composition lights easily even when wet
- Ideal for lighting charcoal chimneys, smokers, and gravity-fed grills
- Convenient cube shape and size works perfectly in charcoal grills
With their high heat output and ease of use, the Masterbuilt Fire Starters take the hassle out of lighting your charcoal grill so you can quickly start grilling. Their odorless, smokeless burn keeps the focus on your food’s flavor.
Ivation Premium 500W Electric Charcoal Starter
The Ivation Premium 500W Electric Charcoal Starter is an electric charcoal lighter that ignites barbecue grills and outdoor fire pits quickly and easily without the need for lighter fluid or matches. It features a powerful 500W heating element with a double-ring design that heats more charcoal at once for faster ignition.
The Ivation Premium 500W Electric Charcoal Starter is the fastest, safest way to light your charcoal grill or fire pit. This electric charcoal lighter plugs in to quickly and easily ignite your charcoal, eliminating the need for smelly, unhealthy lighter fluids or matches.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Powerful 500W heating element ignites charcoal faster than other starters
- Double-ring design has direct contact with more coals for wider, faster heating
- Heats coals ready for grilling in just 6 minutes
- Long, angled 9 inch handle keeps your hand safely away from the heat
- Metal plate grips the grill for convenient hands-free operation
- Provides hot coals without the dangerous fumes or unpleasant taste of chemicals
- Environmentally-friendly alternative to disposable lighter fluids and matches
With faster ignition and safer operation, the Ivation Premium 500W Electric Charcoal Starter makes firing up your barbecue grill or fire pit easy and enjoyable. Ditch the chemicals and light your coals the clean, convenient way.
Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter
The Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter provides a fast, easy and safe way to light your charcoal grill or smoker without the need for lighter fluid. This 550 watt, 120 volt electric starter heats up quickly to ignite briquettes in minutes.
The Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter eliminates the hassles of using lighter fluid to start your charcoal grill or smoker. This handy electric starter connects to a standard 120 volt outlet to deliver 550 watts of heating power for fast charcoal ignition. Some key features and benefits include:
- Generates 550 watts at 120 volts to quickly light charcoal
- Heat resistant handle stays cool while unit heats up
- Gets charcoal ready for grilling in just minutes
- Requires no lighter fluid so no chemical taste
- Safe, clean way to start charcoal
- Compact 17.5” length for easy storage
- Durable construction with 2 year warranty
With the Char-Broil Electric Charcoal Starter, you’ll be ready to grill your favorite foods on charcoal in no time without the mess and taste of lighter fluids. It provides a convenient, fast solution for starting charcoal grills and smokers.
Shwuevei 65-Piece Natural Wood Fire Starter Kit
The Shwuevei 65-Piece Natural Wood Fire Starter Kit contains odorless, chemical-free pine wood wool fire starters that provide a 10-minute burn time. Perfect for lighting charcoal grills, fireplaces, wood stoves, pizza ovens, and campfires. Made in the USA.
The Shwuevei 65-Piece Natural Wood Fire Starter Kit is the perfect eco-friendly solution for starting fires easily and quickly. These hand-woven fire starters are crafted from premium pine wood fibers and natural waxes – no chemical additives.
The key features and benefits include:
- All-natural and chemical-free – Made from 100% pine wood fibers for a safe, odorless fire starter
- Long 10-minute burn time – Lights even large charcoal grills and firewood with ease
- Weatherproof – Works in damp conditions outdoors
- Multi-use – Ideal for fireplaces, wood stoves, charcoal grills, pizza ovens, campfires
- Portable & lightweight – Perfect for camping, hiking, survival kits
With 65 all-natural, high-performing fire starters per kit, the Shwuevei Natural Wood Fire Starters are a must-have for every home and outdoor adventure. Their superior quality and reliability make starting fires hassle-free.
Kingsford Natural Fire Starters
Kingsford’s natural fire starters are made from 100% natural hardwood and paraffin wax. These odorless, non-toxic fire starters are perfect for lighting charcoal grills, campfires, fireplaces, and more. The water-resistant formula ignites easily and burns for up to 10 minutes.
Kingsford’s Quick Light Fire Starters make lighting charcoal and firewood fast and easy. These expertly crafted fire starters are made of all natural hardwood and paraffin wax. The wood used is 100% FSC-certified, meaning it comes from responsibly managed forests.
Key features and benefits:
- Made from FSC-certified natural hardwood and paraffin wax
- Provides a big flame for fast lighting
- Water resistant
- Burns up to 10 minutes
- Natural alternative to lighter fluids
- Compatible with charcoal grills, pellet grills, smokers, fireplaces and campfires
The Kingsford Quick Light Fire Starters allow you to easily start your charcoal, grill, or campfire so you can get grilling faster. Their expert craftsmanship and all-natural materials make them a top choice for reliable fire starting.
Weber Lighter Cubes Charcoal Grill Fire Starters
Weber Lighter Cubes are wax charcoal grill fire starters that provide fast, ash-free ignition for charcoal grills. The odorless, non-toxic cubes light quickly even when wet and burn for 10 minutes to ignite charcoal without lighter fluid.
Weber Lighter Cubes are an essential accessory for charcoal grilling enthusiasts. These handy fire starters allow you to light charcoal grills fast and easy without the need for lighter fluid. Made from odorless, non-toxic wax, the 1″ cubes catch fire quickly and burn for up to 10 minutes to ignite your charcoal, even in windy or wet conditions.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Provide fast, ash-free charcoal ignition in just 10 minutes
- Made from odorless, non-toxic wax that won’t impart taste to food
- Light quickly and easily, even when wet
- Burn for up to 10 minutes to fully ignite charcoal
- Eliminate need for lighter fluid that can impart petroleum taste
- Portable 24-cube pack is perfect for lighting grills at home or camping
- Trusted quality from Weber, the leader in charcoal grills
Weber Lighter Cubes take the hassle out of lighting your charcoal grill so you can quickly start grilling. These long-lasting fire starters are a BBQ essential for every grilling season.
HomeRight Electro-Torch C900085 Fire Starter
The HomeRight Electro-Torch is an electric charcoal starter and fire starter that uses super heated air to quickly and easily ignite charcoal, wood fires, and campfires. This chemical-free fire starter features a dual ignition switch to control air flow and temperature.
The HomeRight Electro-Torch Fire Starter allows you to easily ignite charcoal grills, campfires, fire pits, and more without the need for lighter fluid or chemicals. This handy electric fire starter makes starting fires fast and simple.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Dual ignition switch provides precise control over air flow and heat level
- Generates up to 1500°F of super heated air to ignite fires in seconds
- Built-in blower fans the flames and gets fires roaring fast
- Chemical-free operation prevents any unwanted flavors on food
- 6 foot grounded power cord provides ample reach
- Sturdy metal construction for durability and long life
The HomeRight Electro-Torch eliminates the hassles of starting fires and grilling with a fast-acting electric fire starter. Simply aim the tip at your charcoal or wood, and this fire starter will have it lit and ready to cook on within minutes.
WishDirect 600W Electric Charcoal Starter
The WishDirect 600W electric charcoal starter is an Amazon’s Choice product that ignites charcoal quickly without lighter fluid or matches. It features a 600W heating element, 29-inch cord, and plastic handle for safe, mess-free grilling.
The WishDirect 600W Electric Charcoal Starter is an excellent option for starting your charcoal grill or smoker. This electric charcoal lighter features:
- Powerful 600W Heating Element – Heats up rapidly to ignite briquettes within minutes. Gets your grill ready to cook fast.
- Nontoxic and Odorless Operation – Starts fire without lighter fluid smells or chemicals. Doesn’t impact food flavor.
- 29-Inch Cord – Long, insulated handle keeps your hand safely away from the heat.
- Reusable Design – Use it repeatedly to save money and help the environment.
- Compatible With Most Grills – Fits a variety of charcoal grill and smoker brands and models.
The WishDirect Electric Charcoal Starter eliminates the need for lighter fluid and provides a quick, easy way to start your charcoal for grilling and smoking. It’s a convenient accessory that makes it simpler to fire up your grill.
