We have a winter drive up camping trip each year, because our calendars are open around January 7. The objective is to brave the elements, hike a little, fish a little and eat really well. We had top grade 2″ fillet steak a couple time, last year we had a seafood feast that was fantastic, always the breakfast is good. This year I thought biscuits would be good to make in my Dutch oven. Because my dutch oven has a rounded top and no bottom legs, I needed to make some preparations to remedy not being able to but briquettes underneath and on top.

In my research I ran across what is called a Charcoal Chimney starter.

For many reasons I decided to make my own. I chose to use Paulonia wood for a handle as it burns at 400°. Also, I did some math (using an online cone calculator) and fabricated a wire cone inside the chimney starter for a bottom. This increased the lighting surface area from 28 sq. Inches to 83 sq. Inches. I had some leftover high temperature paint and this was the completed product.

The holes at the bottom let air reach newspaper inside the bottom and in the cone, which burns igniting the charcoal. This it the bottom wire cone.

This Charcoal starter is far superior to lighter fluid, no flare up flame, no residual petroleum taste, easy to carry hot briquettes when needed, works quicker and better lighting coals and cheaper in the long run. With a dutch oven you need to place the coals using tongues, rather than dump them out, so it is a necessity.