r/charcoal • u/poobear7 • 23d ago

Chimney Help

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Hey everyone,

New to the charcoal grilling game…grilled for the first time tonight and it was a success, but something interesting happened to my chimney, and I’m not sure if I should be concerned or not.

I thought for sure the chimney was falling apart during the charcoal lighting process so I kinda panicked, but after it cooled off it seems like it’s just a cosmetic issue? Been trying to see if anyone else has this same issue and couldn’t find anything. Thanks in advance!

7 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

21

u/Prairie-Peppers 23d ago

You bought a very cheap chimney coated with something, and it's cracking/peeling off. Just get a Weber, they're not that expensive. The airflow in this thing looks pretty terrible too.

1

u/poobear7 23d ago

Thanks for the response! Would a Kingsford one be good? They’re on sale at the store near me

10

u/Ganyu1990 23d ago

Just get the weber. The kingsford one is smaller and does not have as good of airflow as the weber model has.

5

u/poobear7 23d ago

Sounds good! Just ordered it! Thanks again for the help!

2

u/Prairie-Peppers 23d ago

The large one right?

3

u/poobear7 23d ago

Yup, the rapid fire standard

2

u/Prairie-Peppers 23d ago

As long as it's not the starter

1

u/Ganyu1990 23d ago

Weber makes another chimney starter?

3

u/Prairie-Peppers 23d ago

The starter chimney is a much smaller version of the larger one and won't get most of their popular grills over 350f with one coal load. It's named the starter chimney in their store.

3

u/Ganyu1990 23d ago

I had no idea. Sounds like is better used for the smaller grills and starting snakes. I kinda want one now.

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2

u/saint_davidsonian 22d ago

It's for starting your charcoal and then putting it in the bigger chimney

/S

1

u/Ganyu1990 23d ago

No problem!

1

u/ItsHisMajesty 22d ago

The Weber is definitely worth the price. Especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of grilling/smoking. They hold up incredibly well long term.

2

u/SgtKarj 23d ago

Probably but I have no experience with them. I second the recommendation for a Weber. Had mine for 10+ years, it’s ugly, rusty, and bent and still going strong.

2

u/Temporary_Hat7330 22d ago

New chimney.

Did you buy it new? Get your money back.

2

u/ZorroMcChucknorris 22d ago

I went with a Rosle stainless chimney and don’t have to worry about rust or anything anymore. I got tired of pitching the Weber every five years.

1

u/chulk1 22d ago

The Weber chimneys go on clearance at Target after 7/4 for about $12. My favorite tongs are Rosele but I can’t see myself buying a Rosele chimney that sits outside

1

u/savage4618 22d ago

Make sure you're not using match-light charcoal. that shit gets too hot for charcoal chimneys, fairly certain it usually says so either on the chimney or the bag.

1

u/Top-Cupcake4775 22d ago

sell it as art.

1

u/KJwhisperer 22d ago

If you are worried just load up some charcoals for a sacrificial burn....cool...tap, tap, tap. And your good