An improved charcoal igniter having utility with a charcoal cooking apparatus includes a tubular housing having open upper and lower ends, a grate releasably-mounted within the tubular housing for movement from a supporting position to a releasing position, and an actuator for releasing the grate so that the grate moves from the supporting position to the releasing position. Charcoal briquettes supported within the tubular housing by the grate in the supporting position are released from the grate and fall through the open lower end of the tubular housing when the grate moves to the releasing position.