Chimney starter
A charcoal starter is a tool for lighting of charcoal , charcoal briquettes or (rarely) firewood in preparation for grilling .
construction
The chimney starter consists of a sheet metal tube with ventilation openings in the lower area, a perforated fuel support (or alternatively a wire grate) and a handle with a heat shield.
Functionality and handling
The fuel (usually charcoal or charcoal briquettes) is placed in the upper part of the chimney, which is then placed on the perforated support. Easily flammable material (e.g. kitchen paper or grill lighter ) is placed in the lower part and is lit. The chimney starter should stand on a fireproof surface, e.g. B. the charcoal grate of the grill.
Due to the chimney effect , the flames of the lighter and the hot gases are sucked up through the perforated support into the chimney. The fuel starts to glow quickly, from bottom to top. Even after the grill lighter or the paper under the chimney has burned out, the layers of coal continue to glow upwards.
A completely filled chimney will burn through after 15–35 minutes (charcoal 15–20 minutes, charcoal briquettes 25–35 minutes) depending on the size and nature of the fuel. The fuel is ready for grilling when the top layer is covered with a white-gray layer of ash, and can now be poured into the grill.
Advantages and disadvantages
A chimney is a comparatively safe method of lighting a barbecue fire. In contrast to the handling of denatured alcohol , gasoline or other fire accelerators, there is no risk of deflagration or flashes, which can cause severe burns and even fatal accidents, if used correctly .
However, caution should also be exercised when handling a chimney starter: apart from the handle, the hot container is not protected from contact, which can result in burns when handling it. This is especially true if the chimney is full and therefore heavy. We therefore recommend wearing heat protection gloves. In addition, there are often flying sparks when pouring the glowing coal into the grill.
Compared to other lighting methods, a correctly operated chimney can save a lot of time, the grill is ready to be occupied much faster. This is particularly advantageous if you want to grill over a longer period of time: By using a chimney, fully annealed charcoal can be kept ready to refill the grill even while the grill is in progress, so that there are no waiting times.
In addition, the compact layering of the fuel during the ignition process promotes an even ember. Additional supply of oxygen through fans etc. is not necessary. With the help of a chimney, the coal ignites quickly and evenly even in damp weather.
Another plus point is the health aspect. Even if ignition aids are used, they do not come into direct contact with the charcoal and the exhaust gases from the ignition aids cannot reach the grilled food.
See also
The hobo stove, which is very similar in structure, is a simple fireplace for heating saucepans and frying pans.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Jamie Purviance: Weber's Grilling with Charcoal. Gräfe and Unzer Verlag GmbH 2009, ISBN 978-3-8338-1581-2 , p. 13.
- ↑ Johann Lafer: My grill book. Gräfe and Unzer Verlag GmbH 2012, ISBN 978-3-8338-2993-2 .
- ↑ a b Cornelia Schinharl, Sebastian Dickhaut: BBQ Basics. Gräfe and Unzer Verlag GmbH 2010, ISBN 978-3-8338-2162-2 , p. 13.
- ↑ Jürgen Brück: Child safety: recognizing dangers, avoiding dangers. Beuth Verlag GmbH 2009, ISBN 978-3-410-17103-4 , p. 58.
- ↑ Christa Pöppelmann: SOS. How do you do that? What you really have to be able to do! Compact Verlag GmbH Munich 2010, ISBN 978-3-8174-7922-1 , p. 148.
- ↑ How to Set Up a Charcoal Grill for Smoking or Grilling. At: AmazingRibs.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.