Test Kitchen Preferred • Get fired up for our fave grill starters.
No doubt about it: Grilling is one of our favorite ways to get cooking in the warmer months—and, for some die-hards, even on cold days. On a laid-back summer day, nothing can replace that chargrilled flavor of a great burger, barbecued ribs or even some veggies done up to crisp, smoky perfection. But let’s be honest: If you’re grilling with charcoal, starting the grill can be tedious, and using lighter fluid can leave your go-to recipes tasting less than their best. That’s where a good charcoal starter comes in.
But which starter is best? Hardware stores and online retailers are full of options. It can be so difficult to choose! That’s why our Test Kitchen and team of expert grillers put some of the most common grill starter options to the test.
When you’re grilling, you want a gadget you can count on, one that will last through years of backyard barbecues and one that’s easy to use—especially when there are lawn games, summertime sippers and a table full of snacks to distract you. To find the best of the best, we kept a few things in mind. First, we wanted a tool that was simple, yet efficient—and one that would be easy for amateurs and bona fide grill masters alike. We also considered how quickly the coals heated up once the tool was put into use. We tested the charcoal starters’ durability, too—can it take the heat for years on end? And finally, we noted the price—is it worth your investment? With those criteria in mind, we grabbed our grills and fired them up. In the end, these four fantastic flamekindlers were deemed worthy of an open invitation to any of our summer cookouts to come.