Abstract: To reduce the time and inconvenience usually involved in the process of igniting charcoal briquettes, an upstanding stiff wire basket having a heat shielded lifting handle is utilized in conjunction with a comparatively fine mesh basket liner which retains finer charcoal particles. Following ignition of the briquettes, they can be delivered from the basket to any barbecue grill or other use point. The necessity for piling the briquettes by hand is eliminated.