This new chimney can light charcoal in less than 10 minutes
A new chimney, designed by grill accessory company BBQ Dragon, takes just nine minutes to fully light the charcoal, and allows you to easily insert fuel from the side.
BBQ Dragon launched an Indiegogo campaign for the device, called the "Chimney of Insanity" on October 25. Less than 24 hours in, the team had already passed its $15,000 goal. It has now raised more than $33,000. Backers can purchase one for $20 (or $40 for a package that includes a fan that makes the process faster), with estimated delivery in December.
To use it, you place the steel chimney on top of the grill grate. Next, you fill the steel chimney with charcoal, insert a ball of newspaper into the hole near the bottom on the side, and light it. After two minutes, you direct air from a fan (also sold by BBQ Dragon) into the side hole.
When flames starting shooting out of the top, the charcoal is ready. You can use the chimney's handle to dump it into your grill.
The whole process takes less than 10 minutes, co-creator George Prior tells Business Insider. The additional fan, which clips to the side of the grill and points into the chimney, makes the ignition process faster because it adds oxygen. That allows it to be more efficient than other popular chimneys, like the Weber Rapidfire ($15) and the Outxpro Charcoal Chimney ($30), which take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to heat coals.With the sleek silver exterior, the Chimney of Insanity looks a lot more stylish than most other tin can-like chimneys, too.