A Starter to Fire Up the Barbie

Just in time for summer barbecues is Kingsford’s Charcoal Starter Chimney, an alternative way to start your back-yard grills without lighter fluid.

Kingsford, the Oakland manufacturer of charcoal briquets, sells the galvanized steel chimney (suggested retail, $9.99) in groceries in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Although chimney starters have been available for a few years, Kingsford’s is new to the market. The company introduced it in this area in response to the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s ruling that next January will ban the sale of some lighter fluids.

The chimney is quite sturdy and measures 12 inches high and 6 1/2 inches in diameter; it can hold up to 60 briquets. It has a wooden handle and a permanent grate near the bottom of the cylinder.

To use, place two full-sized pages of loosely crumpled newspaper under the grate and add the charcoal in the top of the cylinder. Then light the paper through the large openings at the bottom of the chimney. Low-burning flames should appear beneath the top layer of briquets in 15 minutes or less. Then pour the lighted briquets into the grill and spread.

In Southern California, the Kingsford Charcoal Starter Chimney is available at Vons, Safeway, Ralphs, Lucky, Hughes, Mayfair, Alpha Beta, Albertsons, Certified Grocers and Stater Bros.

Citrus-Based Cleanser Is Biodegradable

Full-time or weekend mechanics, or anyone with a greasy chore may want to try new Fast Orange, a natural citrus-based hand cleaner that can remove grease, printer’s ink, paint, glue, rubber-gasket and tile cements.

Fast Orange, with a pumice formula, removes grime from hands without solvents and is biodegradable. Developed by Loctite Corp. of Cleveland, the hand cleanser is made with a pH-balanced formula and can replace products containing petroleum distillates.

Fast Orange ($1.59-$1.99, suggested retail for a 7.5-ounce bottle) is available nationwide in auto parts chains and hardware stores. In Southern California it is sold at Chief Auto Parts, Auto Zone, Western Auto, Builder’s Square, Ace Hardware and Sears. Or contact Loctite Corp.’s toll-free number, (800) 321-9188.

Aqua Strap Helps the Bottle-Bearer

Tired of lugging your bottled water around in a carryall or paper bag? You might want to consider Aqua Strap, a nylon strap with a compact clasp that attaches to the neck of plastic bottles for easy, toting.

Aqua Strap’s clasp fits almost any plastic bottle. It comes in black, white, red and blue or neon green, pink and purple. The strap is adjustable, too, so you can wear it on your shoulder or around your waist.

Aqua Strap ($2.95, suggested retail) is available at Venice Beach Novelties, Venice Center, Dive ‘n Surf in Hermosa Beach, Bar Stop at the Saugus Swap Meet and Bag Bazaar at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Santa Ana. Or contact TJM Enterprises, 1559 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 652, Hermosa Beach, Calif. 90254; phone, (213) 374-5677.