A chimney starter is a economical way to start charcoal and lump charcoal without the use of petroleum based starting fluids. The concept is easy, fill top of the container with your favorite fuel and use newspaper or sheets from the telephone book waded up and placed in the bottom chamber. Light and you will have hot and ready fuel in 10 +/- minutes. One word of caution, place the chimney on your top grate of your grill or smoker and not on the ground or concrete, and always use gloves to handle the hot chimney.