Introduction: Low Budget BBQ Chimney Starter, IKEA Hack
Last year we decided that we want to use a chimney starter. We bought one from Weber and it works very well! But some times we don't need all the charcoal fitting in the big Weber chimney. We wanted a smaller one.
Step 1: Tools and Material
You will need:
• Kitchen utensil rack, stainless steel like the IKEA "ORDNING", Diameter: 4 3/4", Height: 7 1/8" (Diameter: 12cm Height: 18cm)
• Wood hammer handle, around 350 mm - will be cut to desired length
• 4 Steel plain hanger bolts, 8mm, 50mm long (M8x50)
• 4 Steel hex-head cap screws, ~8mm (depending on the utensil rack, 8mm matches the IKEA one)
• 20 matching screw nuts
• NOT USED HERE: Additional metal sheet to save hands from the heat of the briquettes.
As tool you will mainly need a wrench in screw matching size.
Step 2: Attach the Feet
To make four feet use the hex-head screws.
- Insert screw from the inside using the four corner holes as marked with the red arrow.
- Fix the screws with one nuts.
- Use one to two additional nuts to make the feet at the end of the screws. When using two nuts you can screw them against each other and the foot will be sturdier.
Addition: After we used the Chimney Starter we noticed that burning the briquette takes some time. We would now suggest cutting out some parts from the bottom of the utensil rack for better ventilation. But not too large to prevent the briquette from falling through the holes.
Step 3: Attach the Handle
Use the hammer handle and the plain hanger bolts for the chimney handle.
- Cut the hammer handle to a length comfortable to grab. We used about 17cm.
- Choose one row of holes. Mark the second hole from above and the second hole from the botton in this row. Measure the distance between these holes.
- Mark two points with the measured distance on the small side of the hammer handle. Screw the plain hanger bolts into the hammer handle at the marked positions.
- Screw one nut on each plain hanger bolt
- Attach the hammer handle to the utensil rack
- Fix the handle with two additional nuts.
Addition: If we would build the chimney starter again we would add a metal schield at the outside of the utensil rack. Therefore just use a metal plate in matching size. Drill two holes in the measured distance in the middle of the plate. Slide the metal plate over the two hanger bolts fixim them between the nut and the outside of the utensil rack.
Step 4: Use It
Use your finished low budget BBQ chimney starter as you would use any other chimney starter. The chimney will get hot - be careful with your hands and wear a leather glove.
After a while of usage there are two main things which we would do better next time:
1. Make some bigger holes on the button for more air ventilation
2. Attach a metal schield to the handle to protect the hands from the heat.
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34 Comments
6 years ago
"Seem's a little short at 7 1/8" , but it still does the job im sure. "Like it". thank's [VLAD]
7 years ago
What an excellent idea. I'm in need of a smaller diameter starter. I think I might get two of the containers, cut one down and using two bolts mount it upside down on the bottom of the first instead of using the bolts as legs.
7 years ago
I read the comments, it seems many missed the part about this being a smaller chimney. A commercial one needs a lot of coals to work right
8 years ago on Introduction
Place the leg base bolt the other way up so it stands on the head of the bolt, lock nut them to the base and save yourself four nuts per leg.
Reply 8 years ago
True! I am not sure why we didn't do that...
8 years ago on Introduction
Buena idea! me parece que el mango podría mejorar, corre el riesgo de quemarse las manos...poner mango tipo una sartén... :)
8 years ago on Introduction
Most people use a chimney starter to avoid using lighter fluid.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
indeed. with a chimney, you don't put lighter fluid residue into either the environment OR your food.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes, that's the reason for us, too. A friend burned his son using fluid starter.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Sorry to hear that, hope he's ok!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
yes, but avoiding any flame since then.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice one. May just make one after my current Weber rusts through. Need to find a place to get a larger-diameter one, though, i'd want to use as much charcoal as the Weber holds.(you do know you can just use less than a full chimney in the Weber, right? :) )
Especially with the chunk charcoal I'm usually using - it's bigger than your average briquet.
8 years ago on Introduction
OOOHHH!!! HOT HOT KNUCKLES!!!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Right ;o)
Because of that I wrote that you use either a leather glove or add shield.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Absolutely a heat resistant glove or shield. I like your starter, my Weber is getting a bit tired and I do already have that Ikea container!!! Keep up the good work!!! Thanks.
8 years ago on Introduction
Hey! I have one of these.. great way to upgrade it !
8 years ago on Introduction
I know what a barbeque is, but I have never heard of a chimney starter.
Please would you explain what it is for, what it does and how it works ? These things are not explained in the instructable.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYDaL_b5VjY
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Oh. Didn't thought of that.
The starter uses the stack effect (or chimney effect) know from buildings. The chimney effect is a physical effect that causes vertically directed air currents. The chimney effect happens because of the natural convection. Warm air is less dense than cold air -> thermal convection occurs and air exits through the upper opening. Inside negative pressure is built and the external pressure forces air through the lower opening in the chimney. This leads to a self-preservation of the effect.
Here, the chimney starter this effect is used to get oxygen at the charcoal and get them hot fast. You put the charcoal in, light them and wait some time. Then you empty the hot charcoal into the BBQ.
You will finde lots of "how tos" to use it in the internet.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice simple instructable.
To maximise the chimney effect it is worth trying to find a pot with non-perforated sides so the air has to go from bottom to top as this will increase air flow and get things much hotter much quicker.
Watch out to make sure you don't choose aluminium though as the base of a good chimney will melt anything the melts cooler than steel... The steel wire across the base of mine has crept and sagged horribly in the heat, so even that is on the limit (perforated sheet is probably better than wire though)!