Beau Jardin Pro-Grade Chimney Starter (galvanised steel) – fast, even ignition for charcoal & briquettes
Product description
The essentials
If you regularly fire up a charcoal or briquette BBQ, you’ll know the usual pain point: getting everything going without faffing around with messy lighting fluids. This Beau Jardin Pro-Grade Chimney Starter is designed around the chimney principle, where heat rises through the charcoal/briquettes so you get a more even ignition.
On paper, it’s a simple upgrade to your routine. Instead of reaching for flammable liquid bottles to soak the fuel, the instructions say you only need newspapers or paper. After lighting it, it’s intended to get your charcoal red hot in around 15–20 minutes. That’s the kind of timing you want when you’re planning to actually cook, not hover near a struggling barbecue.
It’s also built from heavy-duty galvanised steel, with secure grip handles. That matters more than people expect when you’re dealing with hot metal and you’re trying to pour and place it safely.
What you’ll notice in use
The big practical win here is the “quicker” workflow. The chimney method is often chosen because it aims to ignite the charcoal more evenly, and this starter is meant to start your grill in no time. In a normal garden session, you’d load the canister with your charcoal or briquettes, crumple newspaper/paper underneath or inside as suggested, light it, then wait until the charcoal is ready.
There’s also a decent amount of capacity for a single session. The canister size is listed as 17.7 x 28 cm and it holds up to 1.8 kg of coal. That makes it more suitable for typical BBQs and smokers rather than tiny, “one burger at a time” setups.
A quick note: the time to “red hot” is given as an approximate 15–20 minutes, so it can vary a bit depending on conditions (like wind or how full the chimney is).
Key takeaways
You’re essentially buying a sturdy, dedicated charcoal ignition tool. It’s designed to remove the need to spray or soak charcoal with lighting fluid bottles, and to replace that with paper-and-newspaper ignition.
You’ll also appreciate the build and handling. The heavy-duty galvanised steel body should cope well with repeated use, and the secure grip handles give you something solid to hold when the chimney is hot.
Where it may not be ideal is if you’re trying to light very small quantities or you want the absolute quickest possible ignition with minimal waiting. The 15–20 minute window is fine for most people cooking dinner, but if you’re the “light it and grill immediately” type, you may find yourself waiting.
Tech specs
- Type: Charcoal chimney starter
- Material: Heavy-duty galvanised steel
- Ignition method: Chimney principle
- Fuel capacity: Holds up to 1.8 kg of coal
- Canister size: 17.7 x 28 cm
- Heat-up time (claimed): Approx. 15–20 minutes to red hot charcoal
For whom it makes sense (and who should skip it)
It makes sense if you want a more straightforward, less messy way to light charcoal or briquettes, and you’re happy using newspapers or paper as the ignition source. It’s a sensible pick for home BBQ nights where you’d rather spend time cooking than troubleshooting ignition.
It may not suit you if you can’t or don’t want to use paper/newspaper for ignition, or if you prefer (or already rely on) liquid firelighters as your go-to method. Also, because it’s meant to hold up to 1.8 kg of fuel, it’s not the most logical choice if you mostly cook for one or two and you only need a tiny amount of charcoal.
One more thing to bear in mind: the size is described as “optimal 28cm” for most BBQs and smokers, but the exact fit can depend on your specific grill setup—so it’s worth checking your cooker’s dimensions before you commit.
When it makes sense to buy
Consider buying this Beau Jardin chimney starter when you’re regularly switching between “it’s nearly lit” and “it never catches properly”. The chimney approach is aimed at quicker, more even ignition, and it also reduces the need for flammable liquid bottles.
It’s also the kind of accessory that can replace a habit. If you’ve been buying spray bottles or liquid firelighters to get things going, this offers a more practical route: paper in, chimney on, wait, then pour for cooking.
Mini FAQ
Do I need flammable liquid to use it?
No. The instructions state you only need newspapers or paper, and that you no longer need to buy flammable liquid bottles to spray over charcoal briquettes before lighting.
How long does it take to get the charcoal ready?
The product description indicates that after around 15–20 minutes the charcoal will be red hot.
How much charcoal can it hold?
It can hold up to 1.8 kg of coal.
Is it suitable for smokers and BBQs?
The size is described as optimal 28 cm and intended to fit most BBQs and smokers, but it’s still worth checking your unit’s dimensions.
What is it made from?
It’s made from heavy-duty galvanised steel with secure grip handles.
Final verdict
Should you buy it? Yes, if you want a sturdy chimney-style ignition method that’s set up to work with newspapers or paper and aims for red-hot coals in roughly 15–20 minutes. It’s a practical choice for everyday BBQ use and smokers, especially if you’re trying to move away from lighting fluids.
You may want to skip it if you only light very small amounts, you don’t like waiting for ignition to complete, or you’re set on liquid firelighter approaches. As ever, double-check the fit for your particular grill before relying on the “most BBQs and smokers” claim.